LOBBY GOSSIP,

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 41, 25 June 1881, Page 454

LOBBY GOSSIP,

Don't let your readers be at all surprised if I hold that an election will take place this year. It is not only on the cards, but probable. The Hall people are already subscribing funds to defray the expense of the coming campaign. Sir Arthur Gordon, would, of course, grant a dissolution, following the constitutional precedent of following responsible advice. Some of the expenses of the last contest are yet unpaid. This nearness of the resists of the unknown makes members look in the eye Of the wind, keenly avoiding pruriency and idleness. Very few ladies come to the House whilst the Licensing Bill is on, though the question concerns them nearly. Fox and Speight are overdoing the temperance business, and the Bill will be shortly shelved. The East Coast Land Company promises to be a great success, many of the best men in Otago have gone into it, When at Otago, a friend of mine interrogated Oliver as to his again taking office, the man with the " gig lamps said, " Once bit, twice shy," and yet I believe "Barkis is willing." A Wellington tradesman who has business places in Hawera, Normanby, andMnnaia on the West Coast, has lately visited the district. He returned only on Tuesday, and describes the district as prosperous in the highest degree. He says the rivers of Government money flow through the hands of the inhabitants of the rich district with a continuous fertilising flow. Fox and Parris have been hard at work, but knew not how to go about their undertaking. Hence nothing, as I stated last week, has been achieved commensurate with the vanntings of the Commission. Bryce, like Cincinnatus, has been employing his time since leaving office in agricultural pursuits. He was seen not long since hawking potatoes through the s.treets of Wanganui, for sale — an employment more adapted to his powers than controlling native affairs. I alluded in my last message to the costume worn by his Excellency at the opening of Parliament. It was a stickler for etiquette. He wore the robes and insignia of his order. They were as follows: — The Star of the Knights' Grand Cross, formed of seven rays of silver, alternating with as many small rays of gold, and hanging over the Cross of St. George. - In the centre, within an azure circle inscribed with the motto, is a figure of St. Michael encountering Satan. The collar is composed of Lions of England and Maltese Crosses alternating, and the monograms "H.M." and "S.G." The Imperial Crown is over two winged lions, counter peasant gv.ard.ant, each holding a book and seven arrows. Opposite to these are two similar lions. The whole is of gold except the crosses, which are enamelled argent. The several pieces are worked together with small chains. The badge is a cross of fourteen points of white enamel edged with gold, having in the centre and on either side an azure circle with the motto. On one side this circle encloses a St. Michael, and on the other side a St. George. The badge is ensigned by an Imperial Crown and worn by Grand Crosses, and is attached to the collar by passing from the right shoulder to tho left side. The mantle is of dark blue satin lined with scarlet, fastened with cordons of blue scarlet and gold, and on the left side by a star. The clio.peaux is of blue satin lined with scarlet, and surmounted by a plume of white and black ostrich feathers. The Dunedin Herald people have boiight Bracken oiit of the Advertiser. Bracken will, however, edit the paper. Apropos of this subject, I learn that Vincent Pyke is in future to edit the Morn ing Herald. On Wednesday afternoon the Government got a very nasty slap in the face over the question whether the investigations of the Civil Service delinquencies should be investigated with closed or open doors. It was easy to see from the tone of the House, and the strength of the voices, that the motion would be carried j but the Government called for a division, with the result that papers tell. Of course the division made Atkinson angry, and he showed his choler in the next motion which had to be modified to avoid another defeat. The Tararna disaster came up on the board, and, remembering what the Observer said on the matter, I paid heed to what was told in the House, and found the same views were held by others as well as yourself. McLean praised Garrard in his strange uncouth manner, and, when he reverted to the loss of life which had occurred, the man's heart failed him, liis eyes became dim, his utterances husky. He took up a paper before him, and, fixing his eye-glass on his nose, began to consult his note, when Wakefield did the kindest thing I have ever seen him do. He went and fetched George McLean a glass of water. Hutchinson was quite right to bring the matter up, but might have spared reproaching Georgie with caring only for the rights of money, after the emotion he displayed ; reminding one how a historic saying can be altered, " Behold how these Scocthinen hate each other." Immediately after this Scotch episode, Dick and Hutchinson had another Scotch brawl. Dick is a Covenanter, I am told, and he sent Hutchinson a tract , to read, on some phase of prison life, which indignity Hhitcbinson thought could have been spared him ; the dispensing of tracts, more than receiving them, being in ■ his line. So these two goody men began calling and hinting at each other as duffers, an opinion, some men on both sides of the House, would be found to endorse. I noticei in the papers, that the Premier's wife' is ill, and will be unable to entertain her guests at the ball she has issued invitations for, on Monday next.