PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1894, 16 July 1888, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(From our own Correspondent.) Wellington, July 16. Mr Ward, member for Awarua, has ! received a testimonial signed by BCO of ' the leading citizens of InvercarglU asking ' him for a revision of the sentence paaaad npon the seamen of the Annie Bow who 1 were very eeverely dealt with for alleged refusal of duty at sea. la forwarding the testimonial to the Government, Mr Ward points out that the offence the men were guilty of, wai that of deolinlng to risk their lives In a leaky ship and be expresses tbe opinion that the verdiot given by the Justices is tantamount to saying that the lives of a ships crew are of secondary importance, where the employers' interests aro concerned and that a cruel miscarriage of jtutioe has been lefltoted.

On Wednesday next the Hon Mr Richmond intends to move the adjournment of the Oonnoll to give a rebuttal to certain allegations made by Mr Rusden m his notorious history as to his aotlou when a Minister pf the Crown In oonneotion with the Maori War.

News Is at premium again this morning and memberß are all waiting for the remit of to-morrow's meeting of the Opposition, when it will probably be decided whether an overt move is to be made on Government this leaiionor not. Rumors of tn Indefinite oharaoter have been floating abont dnrlng the last few days of a no confidence motion to be moved daring the present week, and something Is being done In the way of a oanvata of members with a view to aaoortain what support an adverse motion would be likely to receive. It is generally understood however, that if the advent of the motion depends npon promises of ■upport received it is extremely unlikely that it wonld be moved.

Mr Ward, member for Awarua, has for some time been urging on the Minister for Public Works the necessity of opening up Stewart Island more for settlement, and as a result the Minister has promised to bring down a vote for £500, piobably m the echedule to the Public Works Statement, for opening up the Island by tracks and roads.

It ia understood that Government will accept all amendments whioh have been suggested m reference to the District Railways Purchasing Act Amendment Bill, excepting the proposal to exempt ratepayers whose annual rates do not exceed £5, and thr-y will probably re draft the Bill to give effect to these pnoposa'a. The Premier ia said to be worse this morning, and m consequence it is doubtful whether he will be able to attecd the sitting of the House to morrow. The Speaker, however, is on the mead, and may resume Ms duties m the course of a day or two. Several of the mueical members of tho House have bopn away, a little mußical entertainment having been given at the hospital for the amusement of the patients on Friday evening. Messrs Ward and Wilson, *ith several ladies, gave a private performance which was vory heartily appreciated. I learn that Mr J. T. Matson, of Christchurch, has b9<n appointed one of the Commissioners to the Melbourne Exhibition for the colony.

The Rev J. A. Crawford, Anglican clergyman, at present on a visit to Wellington and a Mr Postlethvalte, waited on the Ministerjof Linda this morning with the objeot. I believe, of sounding the Government as to what Inducement they would hold out to the Rev gentlemen to deliver m the North of Ireland » aeries of lectures on New Zaaland with a view to assisting emigration to the colony. The Minister informed" the visitors, however, that the Home bad for the present pat Us foot down on State aided immigration

It is now improbable that the PabHc Works Statement will be delivered tomorrow ss owing to the absence of the Premier from the Cabinet meetings, a quantity of Government business Including the final revision of the Statement has been held over.

The supporters of the Otago Central Railway will hold a meeting this afternoon to consider the aotion they will take m regard to the further progress of the Bill.