Sir George Grey Unseated.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 933, 25 October 1879, Page 2

Sir George Grey Unseated.

Auokland Dofeotions.

Wellington, This Day.

The Ohristchurch Election Petition Committee unseated Sir George Grey yesterday, but did not decide whether to give the seat to Mr. Richardson or declare it vacant. The report of the Auckland City West Elect'on Committee was brought up. The Committee reported the petition as informal, being against two members. The petition was withdrawn. Mr. Hall moved the House go into a Committee of Supply, remarking that Mr. Macandrew intended bringing forword a no confidence motion on the question that the Speaker leave the" chair. The Government would now take that motion, and go to the division at once. Mr. Macandrew said the Opposition were willing to grant a supply, and would go on with the no confidence motion thereafter. Sir George Grey moved as an amendment to going into Committee of Supply that, any correspondence that had passed between the Government and certain Auckland members be produced, and if there was no correspondence, then Ministers should state what arrangement had been made respecting those members giving their votes to the Goment. Mr. Hall submitted the motion was out of order. The Speaker ruled that it was in order. After some discussion the amendment was carried by 62 to 31. Mr. Hall said the Government hoped to have the support of certain Auckland members, as the Government expected no less since they had time to develope their policy. That was all the information he could give. Mr. Reader Wood said he was one of the four Auckland members alluded to, and he was not ashamed of his' position. He then proceeded to explain at very great length the reasons for the step he had taken. These were in effect that he had been all along opposed to Sir George Grey retiring from the leadership ; that he was against supplies being stopped ; that he saw no hope of the business of the country being proceeded with while the deadlock existed, and that he felt he would be doing right in removing that deadlock. He had consulted with Mr. Swanson, and they together with Mr. Hurst and Mr. Colbeck had opened negotiations with Ministers, and had agreed to vote with them on three conditions :— . First. — That there be no change in the Educational system. Second. — That the Liberal measures should be carried. Third. — That an account be taken of expenditure in Public Works, and if those accounts showed that Auckland had not received a share equivalent to other districts, that then in some way Auckland should receive the balance shown due to it. No specific sum was stipulated. Sir George Grey replied, expressing his sorrow for the step taken and expressing his conviction that the Liberal party would be augmented instead of dimished by the defection. On the House resuming after the dinner adjournment, an Imprest Supply Bill for £300,000 was passed through all its stages. The debate on the defection of the Auckland members was then continued but it led to no result. The Council had a short sitting in the afternoon, and met again at 8.30, when the Imprest Supply Bill was passed through all its stages. The Government, it is stated, are only too anxious to pass some satisfactory measure to ensure the proper administration of Native affairs, and settlement of titles, with ample provision for subdivision of Crown Granted lands. Mr McDonald's Native Law Suits Bill is generally condemned, on account of certain of the provisions therein being neither beneficial or likely to effect a final settlement of Native lawsuits and difficulties. It is reported on good authority that the Native Minister intends bringing a more effective measure before the House so soon as the want of confidence motion is disposed of.