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Star (Christchurch), Issue 3595, 18 October 1879, Page 3

(From the Own Correspondent of the Lyftslfon Times,

WELLINGTON, Oct. 17.

The proceedings in tho House this afte*n^on wero dreary in tho exlremo, almost the whole business being a debate amongst the legal morabers on technical points in connection with tho election petitions. Although tho points raised were in themselves unimportant compared with the great issue before the' House,- tho Government had, at every turr, to exhibit weakness by withdrawing ail their amendments to tho motion rather than go to a division. The only amusing incident was when Mr W. Johnston, who is understood to have been made a cat's-paw of, with a very confident air asked whether Mr Shcehan's expenses on an electioneering journey to Clive had been paid out of Govornment funds. The reply was that Mr Sheehan had paid his own expenses, and had in the late Cabinet refused to accept two guineas per day for travelling expenses he was entitled to, on tho ground that he was on his own businc-s. Mr Johnston said he was pleased to hear it, but looked rather glum over the discomfiture j

Mr Brjce, at the outset of his Native Statement, clearly stated I hit he had no charges whatever bring against Mr Sheehan, but would confine his strictures to tho evils of personal government of the Natives. Ho made an excellent speech, which obtaino.l tho respectful hearing of both fides.