HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 122, 3 October 1868, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

s Wednesdat, Sept. 30. extkaordinaity scene in committeb of SUPPLY. The Wellington Evening Post of Oct. 1 has the following : — i On the motion of Mr Hall the House went into Committee of Supply, when Mr Eox moved an amendment to the effect that as the Government had renounced all their political measures, and given up the principle; upon which any Ministry based their retention of oflice, it was expedient that an immediate dissolution of the House take place, so as to afford the people of the colony at large, an opportunity of expressing their views on the present state of affairs, native or otherwise. Mr Pox said, with truth, that having no wording majority, the Government could not remain in office. Mr Stafford replied that Ministers were not prepared to say that the Governor would be advised to dissolve Parliament immediately. They would not be dictated to by tbe Opposition, and he declined to state what advico they would give to his Excellency in the matter. A majority of 33 'to 23 carried the proposal of going into supply ; when on the motion that the first item of the estimates be passed (Postal, £3,065, Mr Yogel moved that progress be reported. It was then getting towards the Bmall hours, and one member after another taking advantage of the privilege of speaking at all times as granted, when the House sits [in committee, Messrs Williamson, Yogel, Bell, Stevens, G. Graham, Main, Reyholds, and others, rose in turn and affirmed in general terms tliat the Ministers had been driven to forsake their policy, had declined to inform the Legislative of their intentions. Speaking against time was resorted to, and scenes, at the same time ludicrous and disgraceful, occurred, which will long be remembered by those who had the " misfortune " to witness them. Up to ten o'clock this morning was the debate prolonged, members on each side gradually talking the greatest possible nonsense in a direct ratio with the manner in which the " spirit " moved them, and relieving each other in turn, in order to recruit their strength, either with Bellamy's delicacies, or a quiet but short snooze in committee rooms or at Bellamy's. Mr Main distinguished himself particularly ; once bringing

from the library a huge pile of enormous books containing Government despatches " from time immemorial," which he quietly informed the committee he would proceed to read for their edification. He was called to order, a3 were other hon. members, on numberless occasions, the cries of tv quoque assailed his ear 3, but with unabated vigour the smiling member for Port Chalmers rose again to touch upon some other topic. Major Heaphy while taking his turn in the arena, loudly complained of a jocosely inclined member seated behind his back, whose mirth could not be restrained. Mr Yogel, who attempted to address the chairman on various occasions, was received with tumultuous cries of " question," and, as one after the other, exhausted champions lay down to snatch a moment of repose, the merciless bell of the Speaker brought them tp the scratch again. Renewed efforts at restoring their fast failing stamina brought their natural result, and the interruptions and jokes became more frequent. ..; An hon. member's grey hat containing apparently some wonderful and magic property, was htnded round while he was on his legs, and peered into in succession by his^hon. brethren. The old Tndian warrior was seen at a very early hour to proceed. to the wash-room,and turn off upon his venerable but apparently solid cranium the tap of the water tank. At last, long after " daylight did appear," the motion was put nnd carried on the voices, when, in am^wer to Mr Fox, who requested" the Government to state what their financial views were, Mr Stafford rose and said that the time had now passed for explanations and compromise, and he declined to answer. Thereupon, it was stated that a similar opposition would be offered upon every item. Mr J. Hall sat throughout the night, his colleagues not being probably made of tbe same stuff, adjourning for a " nap," and relieving each other, as did batch after batch of " thirsty " legislators, who, after duly posting sentries to give the alarm in case of division, in turn attempted to refresh themselves — in certain cases with marked effect — with either a short repose or stimulant.