News of the Week.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 9, 19 June 1885, Page 9

News of the Week.

Fbiday. The second session of the Ninth Parliament of New Zealand, was opened yesterday afternoon. His Excellency the Governor said that the depression under which the Colony has suffered shows signs of passing away. That the Maoris had given proofs of a friendly disposition, and a better mode of dealing with native land will be devised. Ministers hope that the railway between Wellington and Napier will ere long "be finished. The Otago central railway is progressing rapidly, and it is hoped that the Bast and West Coaat line will soon open a vast area of laud for useful purposes. Parliament will be asked to consider the working of railways by Boards of Commissioners. The Industrial Exhibition in Wellington will shortly be opened with a view to giving an impetus to manufacturing enterprise. Proposals will be made for the re-adjustment of taxation. Parliament will be aske<i to assent to the expense incurred by the works for the defence of the Colony. Ministers have prepared Billa dealing' with local government, and making provision for granting local bodies lnrger powers, with a more assured local finance, thna enabling them to perform their important functions without continually referring to the Central Government or to Parliament for aid and assistance. Parliament will be asked to give further facilities to the mining industry. A bill for the preservation of forests has been prepared, and proposals for aiding the development of the fishing industries will be brought forward. Ministers have considered it their duty to oppose the Federal Council Bill as brought before the Imperial Parliament, until it had been discussed in the House. Ministers consider that dispensing aid to the sick and poor should be locally controlled. Bills will also be brought before Parliament for consolidating the land laws, for limiting the liability of insurance companies' shareholders, for modifying the criminal law, for consolidating the various Municipal Corporation Acts, the Native Land Laws, and the Land Transfer Acts, and for establishing a system of parcel post, and tor the issue of postal notes.— Sir George Grey gave notice of the introduction of a bill to abolish plurality of voting for elections of members of the House of Representatives. — The Hon Mr. Stout introduced a bill to amend the Adoption of Children's Act, which was read a first time. — Mr. Pearson gave notice- Lhat he would move next day the Address-in-Beply. Mr. William Kelly has announced the withdrawal of the proceedings to void the Tauranga election, on account of Mr. Sheehan being critically ill at Napier. News is to band stating that the treaty of peace has been signed between France and China. Sixty -two Liberals abstained from voting on the Budget question. The defeat of the Government has caused great astonishment on the Continent. An impression prevails at Home that the Government courted defeat, so as to prevent a disruption in the Cabinet. The Radicals are jubilant over ihe result of the motion. It is believed that Mr. Gladstone will conduct an election campaign. It is generally believed also that the Conservative party will accept office if called upon to do so. SATUBDAy. In the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr. Macandrew gave notice to move that the House should meet during the session at halfpast 10 a.m. aDd adjourn at half-past 6. — Sir G. Grey gave notice to move that au addrebs be presented to the Queen congratulating her Majesty upon the steps taken by New South Wales to render assistance to England in time of need.— The Hon Mr. Ballance gave notice of the following bills : — Land Act 1885, Kaitaugata Reclamation Act 1885, Native Land Disposition Act 1885, Native Lands Consolidation Act 1885. — The following bills were introduced :—Wellington Public Street Closing Bill (the Hon. Mr. Stout), Canterbury and Otago Marria.e Bill (the Hon. Mr. Stout), Administration Act 1879 Amendment Bill (the Hon. Mr. Stout), Mercantile Law Act Amendment 1880 Amendment Bill (the Hon. Mr. Stout), Patents Act 1883 Amendment Bill (Sir J. Vogel), Bill to Amend Laws relating to Fire and Marine Insurance (Mr. Cowar), and Foreign Companies (Sir J". Vogel), Inventions Protection Bill (Sir J. Vogel), Bill to Abolish Plurality of Voting at Election of Members of House of Representatives (Sir G. Grey), Bill relating to Encouragement of Fisheries in New Zealand (Sir J. Vogel), Bill relating to Establishment of State Forests in New Zealand (Sir J. Vogel), Bill Changing the Trusts of the Chrisichurch Market iieservea (Mj. Holmes), Bill to Validate the Christchurch Municipal Council Public Works Loan (Mr. Holmes), Bill to regulate the Admission of Persons to Practice in the Courts of Law (Sir G. Grey), Bill to Provide Facilities for the Enforcement of Judgments recovered iv the Courts of Inferior Jurisdiction (Sir G. Grey) — The Hon. Mr. Stout said that it having been represented to the Government by the member for Waitotara thnt it would be moie convenient to the House generally if the Address-in-Reply were not considered till Tuesday, he desired to move that the motion be adjourned til) Tuesday next. He understood that the mover of the Address (Mr. Anderson) was quite willing that that course should be adoptc. — The House adjourned at 3 p.m. till Tuesday next. Mr. John bheehan, M.H.R., died at fetane at 20 minutes to 4 yesterday afternoon of inflammation of the brt.iu. He had been ill only a few days. Tbe funeral, it is believed, will take place on Sunday. The North German Gazette in an article on the Samoan question, considers the claims put forward by New Zealand in regard to that island are untenable. The Suez Canal has been blocked by a sunken dredger. It will be fully a week before the obstruction can be removed and traffic resumed. The general opinion on the Continent in reference to the defeat of Mr. Gladstone's Ministry is not one of sympathy with him ; but

there is a distrustful feeling prevailing in regard to the probability of the Marqnis of Salisbury and Lord Eandolph Churchill coming into power. The younger members of the Tory party are urging that if their party take office they should do away with the Coercion Act, and that loans should be raised instead of imposing fresh taxation on the people. The Times states that her Majesty the Queen has declined to accept the resignation of Mr. Gladstone and his colleagues without being furnisbed with further reasons for their retirement. Monday. The remains of Mr. John Sheehan were yesterday taken from Napier to the port and shipped on board the Hinemoa. An immense procession over half a mile long followed. The Volunteers and fire brigades with the Garrison Band playing the " Dead March " led the way, after which came the hearse followed by the Friendly Societies in procession, then a long stretch of people two and two, then a number of cabs and a number of Maoris bringing up the rear. Men of all political parties joined in paying the last tribute of respect. The Maiquis of Salisbury has been summoned to Balmoral by her Majesty the Queen. It is considered unlikely that the Suez Canal Commission will agree as to the report to be drawn up. Germany is equipping a scientific expedition to proceed to New Guinea and New Britain. News is to hand from Thiers, a town in the Department of Puy-de-Bome, that a shocking accident occurred there on Friday. A large number of people assembled in the local Courthouse, when the staircase of the building suddenly collapsed, precipitating the occupants to the ground. Fully 200 persons are known to have been killed or seriously injured by the disaster. Tuesday. A telegram from White Cliffs states that Eewi, who was accompanying Wetere from the Waikato, on reaching Mokau had to return home, being too ill to proceed. Rewi was coming to Waitara to dier up the men buried at the foot of the main support of the house built to coaimemorate the "Waitara meeting in 1878, as Wetere wishes to remove to Mokau. According to Maori ideas, the men can only be removed by the original depositor or those closely connected with him without danger to life, so great is the tapu. The Twelve Apostles who accompany Wetere have authority to act for Rewi. The party then go on to Te Whiti at Parihaka. The_ Irish Volunteer corps at Invercargill have been informed by the Minister of Defence that, as hostilities are now improbable, the Government will only accept the services of new companies as honorary corps. The members have decided to offer their services on that footing. The Minister in his letter expressed gratification at the public spirit which prompted the offer. It was expected that the Redistribution of Seats Bill would be pressed through the House of Commons yesterday. Owing to the Ministerial crisis, the Russian, squadron intended for dispatch to the Pacific has received orders to remain in the Baltic. From the same cause parleying on the Afghan question has been suspended. It is announced that the Queen has been pleased to accept the resignations of Mr. Gladstone and his colleagues. Lord Salisbury, who is at. present at Balmoral, has been summoned to undertake the formation of a new Ministry. The Commission for internationalising the Suez Canal, which has been sitting for two months past, has concluded its labours. The main question of the control of the Canal still remains unsettled, however. The matter has been referred to the European Powers. A series of fresh earthquake shocks is reported from Cashmere. Several hundred persons have lost their lives through falling buildings. Wednesday. The Hinemoa arrived at Auckland at 8 o'clock yesterday morning with the remains of the late Mr. John Sheehan, M.H.K. They were taken to St. Patrick's Cathedral and placed in Ihe catafalque. Mortuary service was held in the Cathedral. The funeral took place in the afternoon, when there was an assemblage of 4000. Among the mourners were.Sir Frederick Whitaker, Mr, Mitchelson, the Mayor, Mr. Harris, M.H.R., and a number of leading citizens. The police force, under Superintendent Thomson, headed the procession. The coffin was laden with wreaths and crosses of flowers. Masses were said for the repose of the soul of the deceased gentleman at the Cathedral, and Requiem Mass was also celebrated. la the Legislative Council yesterday the Hon. B. Pharazyn moved that the Address which had been prepared in reply to the Governor's Speech be agreed to. He dwelt upon the various topics referred to in his Excellency's Speech from the Throne. The Hon. Mr. Bathgate briefly seconded the motion. The Hon. Dr. Grace, in speaking to the motion, contributed his quota of credit to the Government for the fair amount of energy they had disolayed for the benefit of the Colony. Referring to the question of charitable aid, he alleged that the Colony was encouraging pauperism throughout the land, and that the people were the most extravagant and wasteful in the world. In reference to the question of local government, he claimed that it was very largely a question of simplicity in machinery, and be thought a great deal too much money was expended in advertising. The debate was then adjourned. — In the House of Representatives, the Hon. R. Stout said that since the House last met, Mr. Sheehan, oneof their number, had died at Petane, near Napier. On receipt of the news of Mr. Sheehan 's death Sir G. Grey requested the Government to place the Hinemoa at the disposal of Mr. Sheehan 's relatives for the purpose of conveying the body to Auckland, a request which was at once complied with. He thought most bon. members were aware of the official positions which had been held by the deceased both in the General and Provincial Governments. He was thefirst British-born New Zea lander who bad been elected a member of the House of Representatives or appointed as a Minister of the Crown. In the House of Representatives he had always taken a prominent position, being a clear thinker and keen debater, whilst his natural kindliness of heart had endeared him to all the members in the

House. He felt sure that all would regret that a young life of such promise should have been so soon cut down. As fox himself he (Mr. Stoat) could testify from association with Mr, Sheebaa, both officially and privately, to his kindness of disposition and bis many other erood qualities. He would conclude by moving—" That the House adjourn till half-past 7 o'clock as a tribute of respect to Mr. Sheehan's memory." Sir G. Orey, in seconding the motion, said he desired first to acknowledge the readiness with which the Government had acceded to his request to despatch the Hinemoa to Napier. He thought a peculiar interest attached to Mr. Sheehan's death. He bad been highly gifted by Providence, and was the first New Zealander of European descent who had sab in the House, being also the first New Zealander who had attained the position of Minister of the Grown. Mr. Sheehan had been away from the House for one session, and he (Sir G. Grey) thought if he had been amongst them last session his natural talents would have been very useful in the discussions of many measures that came before them. They must all deplore that his life was cut short so suddenly by the hand of death. He trusted that the House would agree to the adjournment without a dissentient voice, and he felt sure the people of Auckland would feel grateful to them, as the deceased was essentially an Auckland man. The motion was then put and carried, and the House adjourned at 3 pm, till 7.30. — The Address-io. -Reply, moved by Mr. Pearson and seconded by Mr. Hislop, was agreed to. The Financial Statement will be made on Friday. Tito Kowaru and bis people were at Opunake yesterday morning, and danced a haka. Tito Eowarn afterwards said that the Natives had met there that day to show that peace had been made with the Europeans, who, he hoped, would not take a wrong, meaning as to their war dress. He concluded by saying that he would shower peace upon his people for ever. The Marquis of Salisbury has returned to London from Balmoral, and is still actively engaged in the formation of a Ministry. In connection with the difficulty between Germany and the Sultan of Zanzibar regarding the establishment of a Protectorate over territory in the vicinity of that town, the German Government disclaims the statement that they were sending an expedition there to enforce their lights. The inhabitants of Crete have agreed, in consequence of the action of the European Powers, to accept Savas Pasha as Governor of the Island, and the rebellion, which appeared imminent, has thus been averted. Thubsday. In the House of Representatives yesterday Sir George Grey moved an Address to the Crown for the purpose of congratulating her Majesty on the steps recently taken by New South Wales and other Colonies to aid or to tender efficient aid to the [Empire at a time of temporary difficulty, and of assuring her Majesty that it is the desire of her subjects in New Zealand to render aid to the Empire to the best of their ability at all times when their services may be deemed of value and may be accepted by her Majesty. The motion was unanimously agreed to. The following bills were introduced and read a first time : — The Wellington Corporation Leasehold Bill, (Mr. Beetham), Gladstone Town Improvement Bill (Mr. Hatch) The Employment of Females and Others Act 1881 Amendment Bill (Mr. Bradsbaw), the Banknotes Security Bill (Mr. Dargaville), the Miners' Right Fee Red notion Bill (Mr. Guinness) ; the Coroners' Juries Abolition Bill (Mr. Guinness), Timaru Harbour Board Loan Bill (Mr. Turnbull). The spread of the cholera in Spain is causing great alarm, and a complete exodus of citizens from Madrid is taking place in consequence. Negotiations for the formation of a New Ministry are still in progress, and there are rumours of a divergence of opinion among the leaders of the Conservative party, it being stated that Lord Randolph Churchill and Sir Michael Hicks-Beach are opposed to the inclusion of Sir Stafford Northcote in the Administration as wished by Lord Salisbury. Sir Stafford Northcote will probably be raised to the peerage. »