LOBBY GOSSIP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume I, Issue 8, 14 October 1879, Page 3

LOBBY GOSSIP.

[from bboknt exchanges.]

The Maori Representatives.

The Maori members of the Legislative Council are, with the exception of Taiaroa, heavily tatooed, but the advance of civilisation is shown by the fact that all the Maori members of the Lower House are without any tatoo marks. Tainui is a short stumpy man. Tawhai is much of the same build. The best-looking of the group is Te Whcoro, of Waikato. It has been reported that ho was to he petitioned against, but nothing is said of the mattter now.

Speeches on the No-Confidence Motion.

Tlie speech of the now leader of the Opposition was disappointing to me, and I find that my opinion is concurred in by others. It was a great occasion, for which ample preparation might have been made, and the address ought to have had all the characteristics of a good sot speech, but he missed big tilings, and dwelt on little matters. lie wandered, and he displayed little humor or literary skill. Mr Hall may prove a good leader, and a good debater, hut his first effort has boon a disappointment. Very different was the speech of Mr Saunders, which had every characteristic which a good address ought to have. It was one of the ablest and most telling speeches I ever listened to. The matter was good, and the manner was quite equal. Mr Saunders lias established a claim to a seat in the Ministry, if Ids party has a chance of forming one this session. Sir George Grey’s speech was carefully prepared, and abounded with passages of eloquence. As a debating speech, however, it was a failure. Future Rewards. I pity both Ministers and the leaders of the Opposition. Their life for the past week has been most humiliating. A few days ago a Minister, with anxiety written on his countenance, met one of the leaders of the Opposition in a similar state in the lobby. Both were after the same game, and each smiled at the other. Said the Minister, “ We are beth such good and patriotic men that I am sure we will meet in Paz-adise. We will then compare notes as to how much dirt we have had to eat during the last few days. ” Mr Fyke’s Arrival. Mr Vincent Pyke was received like a monarch, and might, if he liked, have got a member to carry his umbrella and his walking-stick. He was carefully shepherded up the wharf, and it was a triumph to get a smile from him. The Agent-Generalship.

A correspondence is issued respecting proposed alterations and reductions in the Agent-General’s office. The expenses of the Agent’s office are :— AgentGeneral, £ISOO ; secretary, £BOO ; accountant, £SOO : clerk, £225 ; dork, £l4O ; clerk, £l3O ; messengers, £7B ; rent, £3Ol 4s ; total, £3734. Sir J. Vogel thinks his title should ho altered, as it “ does not do justice to the many responsibilities and trust position of the officer in question.” He thinks the Agent-General should be called Resident Minister in England.