Parliamentary Notes.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5022, 7 June 1884, Page 3

Parliamentary Notes.

be discontinued altogether" — a sally which, of course, raised some laughter. Sir William and Lady Fox took their departure by the Wakatipu this afternoon for England. Sir William's work on the West Coast Commission is now complete, and his final report is -written, and will be laid upon the table of the House very shortly. He goes Home, via Sydney and Torres Straits. A rumour has gained currency here, just as it did last session, that the Hon J. C. Richmond was about to add strength to the ranks of the Ministry by joining it without accepting any particular portfolio ; in fact, it is almost lookedupon as a certainty in some quarters. For my own part, although unable to deny the story point blank, I think it may be treated as being far more imaginative than correct. While it is true that family connections might influence Mr Richmond in coming to a decision such as that stated, he is by no means quite at one with the Ministry as far as the general bent of their policy is concerned. Then, again, his political standing and experience would quite justify him in thinking himself too valuable to be thrown away, and given the short shrift that will probably be allowed a moribund Ministry; fox*, as members arrive, and it is possible to grasp the general drift of their ideas on the subject, it is evident that a very strong feeling exists that the present occupants of the Treasury benches have had their day, and more than their day. It can scarcely be doubted that if those who are really opposed to them can be consolidated into anything approaching one united party, the Government willfind a decided majority against them. Such seems to be the fate looming in the near future. With regard to the present action and state of parties, I have little information to supplement that above. The state of affairs just now almost amounts to an armed neutrality. It is understood that for the next few days matters are to remain in statu quo. Although a few more members arrived to-day, there are still many to arrive, both from North and South. These will come in by the Sunday boats, and then some decision as to hinted action will be arrived at. Things, in effect, are simply in the chrysalis stage just now, and will not develope into their ultimate foim until early in next week. Till then, all exciting and disquieting ruinours as to this, that and the other determination, may be looked upon as being quite untrustworthy.

♦ THE BURNHAM SCHOOL. LICENSED PR^CTICiL JOKER. RUMOURS. [feoh our special correspondent.] WELLINGTON, June G. To-day's proceedings in the House were the reverse of exciting, and were all over in a little more than an hour. They consisted principally in the presenting of petitions, asking of questions, and giving notices of motion ; in fact, all real work awaits the moving of the Address-in-Eeply to the Governor's Speech on Tuesday next. Then we shall see what wo shall see. The principal matter of interest to Christchurch readers was 'Mr Hutchison's question relative to the fitness of the Director at the Burnhain School for his post, and the general conduct of the institution, which he insinuated was very bad. Mr Hutchison's reputation for asking nasty questions is evidently not going to desert him, for he has begun as early as he conveniently can in the session, but Mr Dick was not going to allow him to make himself troublesome, or to leave any doubt in the minds of hon members as to the capacity of an important Government servant or the way in which Burnham Industrial School is earned on. As nearly as it is possible for his nature to become so, he became indignant, and gave the member for Wellington South rather a " setting down." He took the whole responsibility of the Director's appointment, which he asserted he was fully justified in making, both from his testimonials and from his own opinion of that gentleman. Furthermore, he declared himself perfectly satisfied with the way in which the institution was arranged, and as In 1 personally inspected it again and. again, as the proper inspectors connected with' his department did the same, as well as local gentlemen to boot, without discovering anything to complain of, it was evidently to his mind unreasonable to suppose that there was much flagrantly wrong with the method of conducting it. In short, the Minister sturdily refused to disbelieve in his own ideas in favour of Mr Hutchison's. Another gentleman who always makes an early start is Mr Macandrew. Year by year he endeavours to engraft on his colleagues and countrymen a belief in the virtues of Hansard, which he would have sent free to every elector in the Colony. He could hardly have arrived by the Wakatipu this morning, before he began writing a notice of motion to that effect. Mr Hursthouse had also arrived from Motueka. He is the licensed practical joker of the Assembly, and Mr Macandrew had scarcely read his notice of motion when, with an excellent assumption of gravity, the late Government whip rose and gave notice that, on the same day as Mr Macandrew, he should move — " That, in the opinion of this House, it is expedient that the publication of Hansanl