PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3527, 31 August 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[from our special correspondent.]

THE LARRIKIN MEMBER APOLOGISES. Monday, August 30. — Before the House

met.at 7.30 on Saturday, evening, Mr., Pyke's friends had arranged that that gentleman should express regret. On this being communicated to the Speaker and the Government, it was understood that it would be accepted, and a vote of censure not put. At 7.30 p.m. the public, who were not in the secret, anticipated something exciting, for the galleries were filled. Even the ladies assembled in good numbers, and the space behind the chair was crowded. The Speaker took the chair, and read the rote of censure and the amendment that was moved that the House adjourn, and called on Mr. Montgomery, who had moved the amendment, to address the House. Mr. Montgomery said that he had seen Mr. Pyke, and he was willing to make such an apology to" the House as he thought would be accepted both by the Speaker and the House, and suggested that Mr. Pyke should be called in. Mr. Shepherd considered that it would be advisable that strangers should withdiaw, as it was a very painful matter, and in the case of Mr. Mervyn the House had so directed. The Speaker said Mr. Shepherd could move so ; but there were loud cries of "No ! no ! " and Mr. Shepherd declined. The Speaker then directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to call on Mr. Pyke, and after a few minutes Mr. Pyke appeared, looking very solemn, and went to his seat. The Speaker informed him that the House waited for an expression of regret for his conduct. Mr. Pyke then said : " I very much regret that I was the innocent cause of the disturbance which has taken place. I obeyed the order of the Chairman to sit down. When I stated that I would not sit down, those words were addressed to the members round me, who were crying " sit down," and were not addressed to the Chairman, to whom I intended no disrepect." The Speaker then said it would be for the House to direct what should be done under these circumstances. The Premier said that he thought he would be consulting the best interest of the House if he asked leave to withdraw his motion. The House assented, and the motion was withdrawn. The Speaker then briefly commented on the matter, and stated that the House had full power and authority to enforce its orders on members who resisted the ruling of the chair. \ The Speaker then left the chair, and the Chairman of Committees (Mr Seymour) resumed his position, and the Committee of Supply proceeded in a very orderly manner. THE LAKRIKINS TAUGHT GOOD MANNERS. Mr. Pyke and his noisy abettors were not again heard during the evening. The only opposition was on a vote of £22,000 for the purchase of wagons (companies' wagons) leased to the Government ; and the sum of £75,000 for the unemployed for railway work ; but both items were passed, the first on the Government promising that they should be carefully valued and that the Government would get full value for their money, and the second on the understanding that it would not be for railway work only. MEMBERS GONE HOME. About half the members are gone home, North and South, but there is to be some stone-walling yet about the Railway Construction Bill for the Hamilton to Cambridge line, as it diverts the money proposed for the Thames line. Sir G. Grey and his most staunch supporters are going to resist it. This is the only Bill that will occasion any difficulty. It is expected the business will be over tonight. AGENT-GENERAL'S SALARY. Monday Evening.— l omitted to mention that the vote of £4000 for the Agent-General and his department had been reduced by £1000, on the motion of Mr. Reader Wood, with the view of getting rid of the AgentGeneral. The motion was carried by a majority of one. The " good " Government did not make a very vigorous defence. It is possible they thought that it would not be carried. But there was no vigorous opening up, as there is occasionally when objects dear to Government are in danger. Mr. Sheehan, after the motion was carried, made a defence of Sir J. Yogel, and upbraided some of Sir Julius' friends who had voted against him or refrained from voting. This shows the feeling iv the House respecting Sir Julius. He has been utilised, and is now thrown to one side. GKEY AND SHEEHAN. To-day Sir G. Grey gave a notice of motion for next session with regard to the Patetere Block, in the character of a political manifesto to be used during the recess. It referred to the great value of the block, the attempts made corruptly by members of the House to improperly influence ths Government to withdraw the Government proclamation, so that the land might be sold to certain private individuals, whilst the public at large had no chance of acquiring the land. He referred in general terms to the bad effect it would have on the people of the Colony for centuries if such a wrong deed was done. Sir W. Fox, and Messrs. Pitt, Kelly, and Fulton, advised Government not to withdraw the proclamation, but allow matters to remain as they were till next session. The Government stated that they would consider the matter. Sir G. Grey then stated that he would not move his resolution ; and Mr. Beetham, who had given a notice also for next session, re the payment of £300 to Mr. Rees, which he stated was illegally made, and censured the late Government for it, also withdrew his molion. It was well-known that the members of the House to whom Sir G. Grey referred as putting pressure on the Government with regard to Patetere block, were Messrs. Whitaker and Sheehan. SHEEHAN "GOES IN" FOR GREY. Mr. Sheehan then got up, and complained m very pathetic terms of the unkind way in which Sir George Grey had treated him. He had tabled a resolution which severely reflected on ms character as a member of the House suddenly, without a moment's warning, and

when it was considered it was directed against him, a personal friend, a warm supporter, and one who had given support to Sir G. Grey when support was needful, he thought it not only ungracious, but uujust. His only concern with Patetere was of a professional character, .and before doing anything he had asked the Government whether they intended to buy, and the Government declined. That being the case, he did not see any reason why he should refuse business. When Sir Gr. Grey himself had, while he ' was Governor of the Colony, advised and assisted friends to acquire native land — if it was right then, itcould not be very bad now. He thcu complained of the action of the Public Accounts Committee in not examining him about the payment of £2000 Hawera vouchers, especially as he had been the political head of the department when payments were made. He would not allow the matter to rest where it was, but would insist on a full enquiry : next session. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION BILL. The House then went on with the Railway Construction Bill, from Hamilton to Cambridge. This is strongly opposed, and it is uncertain how long the Opuosition can block the Bill. STEAMER WAITING FOR MEMBERS. The departure of the Arawata, which was going north at 6 p.m., is now put off till 2.30 to-morrow (Tuesday) morning. It looks rather ominous. I don't suppose the Taranaki members will get back before Saturday.