Parliamentary Notes.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5024, 10 June 1884, Page 3

Parliamentary Notes.

THE NORTHERN RAILWAY ROUTES. THE EAST COAST ELECTION*. THE SITUATION. [By Telegraph.] [from otjb special correspondent.] WELLINGTON, June 9. The three alternative routes of the Northern Trunk line still remain prominently before the eyes of the public. One of these (the line known as the eastern line) runs from Napier by Hastings,skirts the east side of Lake Taupo, and follows thence the course of the Waikato river to Te Awamutu. If a name were wanted for this line, the public would be satisfied to ' call it the Pumice line. What the Government think of it may be estimated by the fact that Mr Mitchelson did not think it necessary to include it in his tour of inspection. The central line starts from Marton and goes up the valley of the Rangitikei river. Following the northern branch of that stream to its head water, it strikes a northerly course through the centre of the island. Passing close along the western side of Ruapehu, it runs past Lake Rotoaira, and hits the head waters of the Wauganui river to the Tuhua countrj ; thence it makes a straight course across to the Waipa stream and Te Awamutu. The western route is a continuation of the Whitecliffs-Taranaki line along the foreshore. It crosses the Mokau river, running as far as the Awakino stream. It follows that river inland, and finds its way into the Upper Mokau valley, shaping its course towards the central line, which it meets at Te Kuiti; thence its route is identical with that of the central as far as Te Awamutu. There is an alternative line to this one, which starts from Stratford, behind Mount Egmont, across to Tuhua, whence its course to Te Awamutu is practically the same as the central line. These memoranda . . are taken from the Government maps, which, through the courtesy of the Minister of Public Works, I have been allowed to ccc. It is the same which will be attached to the report on the northern trunk lines when that is laid on the table. Major Atkinson is decidedly bettor today. It is now almost certain he will appear in his place to-niorrow evening. The Government are now looking out fora suitable person to fill the office of whip for them. Mr George Bectham, who formerly filled the office, has returned safe and sound from England, but having also entered the ranks of the benedicts, is naturally by no means inclined to undertake the arduous and worrying duties any longer. Who will be his successor is not yet decided, but whoever he may be, he will have some trouble to make himself as generally acceptable and popular as his predecessor. Great interest, of course, centres in the elections, which are now approaching. First and foremost, par excellence, stands that of Ashburton, and every fresh arrival from the South is almost besieged by enquirers, who wish to know how the play is likely to go. Though Sir Juliu3 Yogel does not appear at present to be reckoned as one of the factors in the problem soon to be solved, his return or defeat is awaited with much eagerness. Government especially dislike the idea of his re-appearance on the Wellington stage. His letter published in your columns on Saturday last is looked upon as a very masterly stroke of business for himself. As for the other election up on the far-off East Coast, echoes reach us from time to time by telegraph, and should sound even down to Christchurch through the medium of the Press Association ; but we have the advantage of the knowledge of the people who came by last Sunday's boat. They tell 113 that Mr Rees has no chance of being returned, even with the powerful influence and eloquence of Sir George Grey at his back. The discomfiture of the whilom member for Auckland East will bring comfort to the souls of many people. Mr Gannon's victory, for Mr Locke is said to be out of the running, will add another straw to the heavy load on the already heavilyladen, if not over-burdened, back of the Ministerial camel, for he is an out-and-out Greyite. As for the situation, all is still crude uncertainty and mist of conjecture, with plenty of ill-defined, wtk\ move or. less impossibly shaped rumours flying through it. Though by this time to-morrow night the shadows should have taken a solid shape, and become exciting and palpable realities, yet, even as it is, the situation i 3 exciting enough to some people —Mr Pyke's " kindly-looking gentlemen on the Treasury Benches," to wit. For all their nervous expectancy and uncertain knowledge of what the debate on the Address in Reply may bring forth, they are by this pretty certain of two disagreeable things : — First, that they are in a considerable minority in the House ; and, second, that an amendment to the Address is sviro to be moved by somebody. Who that somebody is may be known to himself alone, but I do not believe that up to midnight he has shared his knowledge with three other people. It really seems as if it would bo that juvenile member who is quickest on his legs. Wahanui, accompanied by seveial other Natives, some of them women, has arrived. He is a splefldid specimen of the Maori unscathed by civilisation, and a very intelligent looking man. Some curiosity, not yet amounting, however, to anxiety, is manifested as to what has become of the steamer Albion. She is eight days out from Sydney and is not yet signalled. The Hauroto passed her, I believe, on Friday at noon. [Per Press Association.] GISBORNE, June 9. At the nomination to-day the show of hands was as follows : — Rees 58 Locke 38 Gannon 16 Mr Rees was the only candidate present.

I He made a long speech, stating that the I Government party were doing; all they could to keep him out of the House. DUNEDIN, June 9. Mr J. T. Brown, M.H.R. for Tuapeka, addressed his constituents at Lawrence, the central town of the district, on Saturday evening, and received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. He propounded a scheme to rid the Colony of Centralism, suggesting the formation of three States, one with the capital at Dunedin or Christchurcli; the other (including a portion of the Middle Island) with a capital at Wellington ; and the third with a capital at Auckland.