GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

Western Star, Issue 31, 13 June 1874, Page 1 (Supplement)

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

A new literary venture has just made its ap pearance in Auckland. It bears the quaint title of ‘ Saturday .Night,” and its aim is to be “a weekly novelist of general tales and attractive reading for the family circle.” It emanates from the ‘Southern Cross’ office, and is published at the price of threepence. The Sydney papers state that an ingenious chart has been arranged by Mr Cracknell, Superintendent of Telegraphs in New South Wales, by which the state of wind and weather throughout tlie whole Colony is daily recorded. The direction of wind is indicated by arrows, a calm by a small red circle, and rain by a black dot. The record is compiled every raojning from the weather report, and posted up by eleven o’clock.

Kaiapoi (Canterbury) is in the singular position of having an evenly-balanced population — 501 males and 501 females.

_Mr John Sperry has been appointed Provincial Sub-Treasure, in the room of Mr A. F. Oawin, who retires on three months’ salary. We are informed that at a meeting of the representatives of Orange Lodges held at Milton on May 22, it was resolved to form a District Lodge, and the following were elected office bearers D.W.M., Bro. Ferris; D.D.M. Bro. Thomas Stewart; secretary, Bro. James Cunningham ; treasurer, Bro. Marshall.

The ‘ Bruce Herald ’ learns that a breach of promise case, in Dunedin, of a more than usually interesting description, is likely to occupy the attention of Judge Chapman and a jury before many months. The parties to the suit belong to families of the best position, and the damages are laid at a very high figure.

The Oatnaru correspondent of the ‘Bruce Herald ’ writes : —“ A variety of oat, somewhat new to this Province, has been grown by one or two farmers in this district, and, under ordinary circumstances, has given an extraordinary yield, nearly 100 bushels per acre having been obtained. It is called the Norway oat, and was first grown in the Colonies in Victoria, when it proved very prolific, and, I believe, exempt from the attacks of caterpillar. The oat is of a black color, but without the characteristics of the ‘ wild oat.’”

A sample of iron ore, found on the property of Mr D. Henderson, M.P.C., at the Clutha, has been analysed by Professor Black, who reports : —This is a sample of brown hematite ; it contains 13'5 per cent of water, 22 per cent of earthy matter, and 65 per cent oxide of iron. The stone, on the whole, contains 45 5 per cent metallic iron. The earthy impurities are chiefly sand. The ore would therefore require lime in smelting. With good coal abundant and convenient, this ore, if in large quantities and easily accessible, will form a profitable industry.” We believe immense quantities of the ore exist on Mr Henderson’s property. The ‘New Zealand Herald,’ of May 25, publishes a long account, fur iahed by its special reporter, of some fires, suspected to be the work of incendiaries, in the the Otahuhu district. In the first instance a large hay store was burnt down, and in the second a handsome range of new stables, with a loft over them containing feed. The exact locality of the two others, and the damage done, were not known.

The circumstances which led to the resignation on Wednesday by Mr Gillies of his office as Speaker were these : —ln the course of the discussion on the Financial Statement, just delivered, Mr Fish began to review generally the financial proposals of the Government, when the Provincial Secretary objected, and obtained the Chairman of Committee’s ruling that the item then before the Committee was “ Superintendent, LI,000,” and it only could be discussed. Recriminations followed, MrFishandMr Reid charging each other with impertinence; aiadilfitapm, allusion was made to the Speaker’s ruling on Monday, that notice must be first given to move the House into Committee of Supply, the Provincial Treasurer characterizing that ruling as “against all precedent, and totally unjustifiable.” Of course, this remark brought Mr Gillies to his feet, and he declined to notice them beyond saying that he considered them very ungeatlemanly indeed to the Speaker, and derogatory to the Council itself. Mr Reid then came to the rescue of his colleague. He said the Government had been treated as no other Government had been ; and in reference xo the disputed ruling, expressed his willingness to submit the point to any lawyer of Parliamentary experience, such as the Speaker’s brother (Mr T. B. Gillies), or to Mr Whittaker, of Auckland. But the Speaker, though directly challenged, declined to further discuss his previous ruling, and said neither father’s nor brother’s cause him to alter his own as to Whatf wis due to the House, nor as to his ruling, which he would have been prepared to have discussed in committee. The matter then dropped for a time, but was revived when the Council met in the evening, when the Speaker announced his resignation, and stated he had sent the following intimation to the Superintendent:—“An expression of opinion was given to-day by a member of the Government that a ruling that I had given on a previous sitting, although supported by the House, was against all precedent, and totally unjustifiable. It is not my intention, as it would be destructive of all weight attached to the office, to lie under the imputation that is in such an expression conveyed, and therefore Thereby beg to tender you my resignation of the office I hold.” In view of what had occurred, Mr M'Glashan moved an adjournment till next day, but the Speaker having intimated that he did not desire that course to be pursued, the motion was negatived, and the Council proceeded to business. Shortly after midnight, when the Order Paper had been cleared, Mr Gillies, in accordance with the Standing Orders, tendered the resignation of his office,. and left the chair, to which Mr M'Glashan was voted. Thereupon Mr> Reid expressed his very great regret for what had occurred, stating that he believed it arose from mere warmth of feeling on both sides. There had been no intention on the part of the Government to impute to Mr Gillies the desire intentionally to do any act unfair to the Government, though they had at the time felt themselves placed in an embarrassing position. He was only giving expression to the sentiments of every lion, member when he said that Mr Gillies had filled the office of Speaker in a more satisfactory manner than any other member could have filled it; and nothing would give him (Mr Reid) more satisfaction than to see the honorable gentleman reassume the chair. The Provincial Treasurer endorsed his chief’s observations. Mr Gillies, while thanking the Government for the testimony they had borne to his conduct, remarked that the point that had really led to his resignation had been overlooked. What led to his resignation was not so much the personal attack that had been made upon himself, but what might be regarded as an attack upon the House. The House adopted his (Mr Gillies) ruling, and then it became, of course, the ruling of the Council. Had the House decided against him, he should have considered it as binding as his own ruling. He regretted exceedingly what had occurred, but before he could think of recalling his decision in the matter, an explanation should be made to the House, for It was the House he considered, and not himself, in the matter. After some observations by the Provincial Solicitor, the Provincial Secretary • moved, and the Provincial Treasurer seconded the following resolution “ That this Council, having every confidence in the impartiality of Mr Gillies as Speaker of the House, respectfully requests that he will again allow himself to be nominated to that office ; and that he do now take the chair of this Council as Speaker.” Mr Gillies then assured the honorable member at the head of the Government that he did not give the ruling in question with any intention of taking up a position of antagonism to the Government; he did so under the belief that he was acting in accordance with the Standing Orders. He heartily thanked the hon. member for the frank manner in which he had explained to the House and to himself. He trusted that their friendship, both as members of the Council and as private individuals, which was of very many years’ standing, would not be at all interrupted by what had taken place. He would be most happy to agree to the request now made that he should resume his office as Speaker. The announcement was received with applause, and the motion was then agreed to unanimously. Some amusement was caused by Mr J. C. Brown suggesting that prayers ought to be read; but the Speaker ruled that it was not necessary,