JOTTINGS FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1167, 1 August 1885, Page 3

JOTTINGS FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

Me Wakefield has telegraphed to Eeoflon, in answer to a request from there that he should support the Government proposals, that if he never Bat in Parliament agnin, he will oppose the present railway scheme to the bitter end. He states that the syndicate business is a monstrous fraud on the Colony, and that it means that a ring of foreign speculators will get twice as much for making the railway as it should cost. He warmly approves of the construction of ( he line.

Active lobbying and persistent unblushing logrolling is said to have reduced the majority against the proposals to seven or eight members. The advocates and promoters of the scheme have so much to gain by it locally and personally that the energy and un« scrupulousness is not to bo wondered at, but although they still hope that with time they may bo able to win a majority to their side, there is really very little fear of the scheme being agreed to.— Correspondent of " Mataura Ensign."

In tao Legislative Council on Tuesday, Mi* Buckley moved tho third reading of the Criminal Code Bill. Mr Pharazyn moved that it bo read a third time that day six months. On a division the bill was read a third time by 26 votes to 13. Tho Distress Bill and the Presbyterian Church Property Bill were read a first time. The Lasv Practitioners Amendment Bill was thrown out on the second reading. Tho Evidence Amendment Bill was read a second time. In the House of Representatives, replying to questions, Mr Stout said the Government did not sco their way to place a further sum on the Estimates this year for the purpose of introducing salmon ova. Mr Tolo said that the Government wore considering the question of amending the lunacy act, in the direction of making more stringent medical examination of supposed lunatics before committal to asylums. Sir Julius Yogel said that the cost of the Wellington Industrial Exhibition, after deducting tho sale of buildings and admission money, would bo between £2000 and £4000. — Several bills were introduced. — Tho PublicWorks Amendment Bill was read a soconcl time. The chief amendments of the bill relate to defence works, The above bill aud the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill wero ordered to be committed. — In Committee the Whitmore Enabling Bill provoked a long debate ; but eventu illy tho bill was reported with amendments and passed. — The Public Works Amondmont Bill and the Charitable Aid Bill wero considered in Coirmittce, and several amendments made. In tho Legislative Council on Wednesday, three numerously-signed petitions in favor of the East and West Coast Railway were presented. The Congregational Union Incorporation Bill was read a third time and passed. — A return showing the cost of Government railways was agreed to. The Bank oi l«uo Bill was thrown out by 21 votes to 9. Iho Public Works Bill was read a first time. Replying to Mr Peacock in the House of Representatives, Sir Julius Yogel said the Government intended to extend the present concession in regard to tho excise duty ou tobacco for 10 years from December next. After that, provision would be made by which the import duty on manufactured tobaccos would be reduced Is 6d per lb; whilo au excise duty of Is per lb would be imposed on manufactured tobacco. — Mr Pyko introduced a bill to provide for the encouragement of scho )ls oLher than state schools. The Savings Bank Amendment Bill was read a second time. The House went into Committee on the Hospital aud Charitable Institutions Bill ; several important alterations were made, and progress reported. Tho Foreign Companies Act Amendment Bill, was then considered in Committee, and reported with amendments. Defections from the GrovorDmcnt continue (Mr J. C. Buckland being the latest), and one is forced to the conclusion that tho Government will not vacate the Treasury benches until they have hardly one follower left. — "Star" correspondent. A littlo scene took place in the Houso on Thursday night. When in Committee on tbe Fire and Marine Insurance Comi:>ame3' Bill, Mr Stout twice voted agairst Sir J. Vogcl's pet clause in that Bill. Sir Julius evidently did not know that his colleagues were opposed to it. It is said that subsequent explanations took place, Mr Stout saying that he voted against the clause tbe first time by mistake, and the second for the sake of consistency. In the Legislafivo Council on Thursday, Colonel Brett's motion re tho Christchurch Hospital scandal was disposed of by a negative vote on the previous question. — The Public Works Bill was read a second time, and the Laud Transfer Bill was also read a socond time and progress reported. In the House of .Representatives, Iho Napier Harbor Board Bill, the Sydenham Public Works Loan Validation Bill, the Wanganui Harbor Bill, aud the Palca Harbor B-jard Biil were read a third time and passed. The Dunedin Drillshed Reserves Amendment Bill was read a second time, aa also wero the Tauranga Harbor Board Bill and the New Market Reserve Bill — Sir Gcorgo Grey moved tho Committal of the Law Practitioners Bill, which was lost on a division by 26 votes t o 19.— Tho Auctioneers Bill was thrown out on the second reading. — The Pharmacy 4ct Amendment Bill was read a second timo. — The House went into Committee on the Employment of Females and Others Amendment Bill, and made several amendments. — The Financial Arrangements Amendment Bill was consicloircd in Oomxnittee, and. pne^cd. Tritli an additional clause. — Tho Spencer Water Eights Eostoration Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Local Bills Committee. —The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Gaming and Lotteries Bill were agreed to. — The House went into Committee ou the Minos Act Amendment Bill, which passed with several additional clauses. Telegraphing on Thursday night, tho Wcl1 lington correspondent of the "Daily Times " says :— The Middle Party seems to be hardening, and a meeting will be hold pro- : bably on Monday to consider what 'steps shall be taken iv regard to tUo proposal to : relegate consideration of the East and West Coast railway question toa Select Committee. ... I believe Mr Milchelson, who was formerly a colleague of Major Atkinson, hits signified his willingness to support the parly, ' feoiing in no way bound by former tics from taking an independent position. This will ' not bo surprising when I tell you I have reason to believe that Major Atkinson himself is willing to give his support to the party. | A sickly poet wrote a poem entitled ' " Welcome Death," in which he showed what a blessed relief death would be, and then spent tho money he got from the poem in buying quack medicines to keep . It at bay. The beat plot 3 forlainateur play- writers. i —Plots of land.'