SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 945, 8 November 1879, Page 2

SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

Thb House of Representatives on ; Fri« day afternoon was a scene of intense, although suppressed, excitement, which is thus described by the Post : —On the division being taken regarding --Sir George Grey's amendment to the motion for going into Committee of Supply (viz., that any correspondence between the Government and certain Auckland members about their votes should be produced), the Ministerial party m the first instance gave their voices, but 'on the division being taken, as there was no objection to everything being ■ made public, the Ministers and most of the chief supporters went into the Opposition lobby, amid loud laughter and derisive cheering. On the tellers handing m their lists, Mr. Seddon stated that several Ministers had given their voices with the ayes and their votes with the hoes. The Speaker said if this were the case their votes must be recorded on the side their voices were given. A comical scene followed, numerous members speaking m rapid succession, each, of course, having to speak sitting attd.wlth his hat on, some being obliged m their haste to be heard to borrow the hats of their nearest neighbors, which did not always prove becoming^ as regarded the personal appear4noe of the wearer. Mr. Seddon named the Colonial Treasurer as one of .the delinquents, and, on being appealed i to, Maj«r Atkinson admitted his sin, and his vote was transferred accordingly. The Premier next was named, and his vote shared the same fate, the Opposition cheering frantically. The next attempt was not so successful. Mr. Wakefield was named but declared amid ironical cheers and laughetr that he could not recollect how he had given his vote, but expressed his desire to " make a communication to the Speaker." Permission being accorded, Mr. Wakefield solemnly marched up to the chair and made his " communication " to the Speaker, who said that as the lion, member could" not remember how his voice was given, hfe vote must stand as recorded m the division. (Loud cheers on the Ministerial side.) Mr. Seddon's next shot was still more unlucky. He "spotted" Mr. Rolleston, who instantly asked where he was at the time Mr. Seddon "saw And heard him give his voice. Mr Seddon rashly responded to this appeal, and ventured to point out the precise place, on which Mr. Rolleston at once Bhowed that he was m a totally different part of the House, and stated he had not given his voice at all. The Ministerial side applauded vociferously, and" Mr. Seddon collapsed forthwith amid general derision, no further attempts being made m a similar direction after his disheartening failure. After this "bogus" division, the business, such as it was, proceeded m the usual way.