THE AN COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 596, 7 December 1871, Page 2

THE AN COUNCIL.

[by oeoffrey softsawder, esq.] I .vi v. Benjamin Tones has moved for a ' piece of land to be reserved far a public ' hall aLlhe top of Parnell Rise. The pro--1 posed site is somewhere near the firebell. |He expatiated eloquently upon the op--1 portunity afforded lo the Kxecutive of [ having statues erected iv honor of the i Provincial Ministers. Fancy the classic appearance of the pediment surrounded Iby the likenesses of these great men. ! The Provincial Secretary should have the I spear and shield of Pallas, Minerva, and | stand upon the Abncus; Mr. Sheehan, j with mere, and draped in ornamental flax mat, would be set on the western corner; Mr. Hurst, with the Estimates in his right, would be placed gazing fondly at the country of his adoption; Mr. Tonks and Mephistophiles would adorn the vestibule with contemplative fingers upon solemn cheek—the " Two Dromios" of the time. Admirable design ! This happy thought was, at the suggestion of the Government, referred to be considered with all the other " reserves." Dr. Sam, of the Goldfields, turned up yesterday. He came into the Council jubilant. The light of his countenance was shed over the hon. Q.C.E. The latter senator thought to take the wind out of Mr Gordon's bagpipe by making a tremendous butt at the turnpikes. He failed. Mr. Gordon rebuked, wHhayard measure of dignity, the six feet height of insolence that would trespass upon his political presence. Terriblo was the rebuke! Mr. Gordon protested he never meant that the turnpikes should bo thrown down. He only wanted Provincial Councillors to go through free gratis. They say Mr. Mitchell means to have the capital of the province on the banks of the Waihau. Mr. Jieveudge is pre- ! pared to plant St. Andrew's Cross upon ■ the heights of Te Aroha. Mr Mackay : is to be the first coachman on tin1 new , road from Cambridge, in the Waikato, to ; the Kotea, at the head of the 1 hanies. j Quick Brothers have made a proposition, j bit on this occasion arc behind time i An honorable member said that he passed that way a tew days ago, and found the Maori women busily engaged in planting " spuds" and kumeras. Mr. Bucklaud is to put a number of bullock-teams on the road fur heavy traffic. Ihe province will then go so much ahead. What is \o become of Auckland I cannot tell, unless its state of congestion should induce Dr. Nicholson to bleed it a little more. But j the Council won't have it, and, as an hon. i member for llowick says, " that's flat." Mr. Lundon wants a sum of money to clolhe the Onehunga Cadets. A great i many of these young soldiers arc the lineal descendants of the Irish Brigade. .VI r. Sheehan acknowledged, in suitable terms, the patriotism of this ever green corps, and told the lion, member that he j could not promise " a full suit," but he might be able to find each a " pair of suspenders.' i Mr. Bucklaud has placed a motion on the table of Council in effect that the Chairman of the House Committee — J. C. E. Freer, conmonly known as "Captain,"—.shall provide members with " hot coffee" during the hours of sitting. He was aware that the hon. gentleman had a much more familiar acquaintance j with " hot grog." The coffee they got was only supplied at one particular hour. All the rest of the time was "cold without." It was intimated that it would nit be in harmony with the dignity of the Council to see "a cup and saucer" before each member, liesides it would interfere with the freedom of discussion. The hou. members "on their legs" would be interrupted by : " Will the hou. A. pass the sugar—thanks." '' Waiter, a spoon if you please." " More bread nnd butier." Air. Buckland himself would find these interpolations inconvenient when he should be expatiating upon " ancient history." He would run a chance, when he became exceedingly animated, of having some of the scalding decootion spilt upon his trousers.

There was a caucus in the Library yesterday. The business of this secret meeting was enveloped in mystery. I enquired somewhat importunately as to the meaning of it. i was a long time before I could get the slightest clue. I have made a discovery. I do not sco why so creditable a wish should have been so mysteriously covered. But it turns out that ivlr. Oarleton has resolved to dignify his political retirement by opening an evening clas3 in political economy, and occasional lectures upon Machiarolli and tlte office of the " Chief Magistrate." The terms are not slated, but the late hard experience of the lion. gentleman wi'l make them liberal.

The arrival of the barque Chile yesterday produced a sensation. I observed about that time some of the benches without tlieir best-looking occupants. One or two elderly members had also left the chamber. I heard afterwards that thoy were all gone to meet the "one young woman" that had come from England. Dr. Sam was despatched on a special mission io inspect the supercargo. A motion was made to put the fee for this purpose Upon the supplementary estimates.