WELLINGTON POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 326, 23 October 1875, Page 3

WELLINGTON POLITICAL GOSSIP.

(from OUB OWN GOBBBSrONDENT.) Welxington, October 10, Yous correspondent has had the dubious pleasure of listening to debates in the New Zealand Legislature for the last ten years, and he certainly can state that he lias never yet heard there anything like what took place yesterday. Before iheHousewent into Committee of Supply, Mr Sheehan moved “that the House regrets to hear of the scandalous and dishonest dealings of certain Europeans in the acquisition of native lands in the province of Hawke’s Bay, and of the fact that high officers of (ho Government have been cither connected with or cognisant thereof, and considers that such transactions are a stain on the colony,” and for a good part of the afternoon and ft portion of the evening he “ went for” Messrs McLean, Ormond, Tanner, Ac. He charged them with every conceivable thing: that (hey had acquired land at a grossly inadequate price; that they had bribed interpreters, chiefs, and native agents; Iliac they had bought the lands for rum ; and altogether that they had deliberately swindled the natives of Hawke’s Bay. The chief object ol his attack was the purchase by some Hawke’s Bay men of the Heretaunga Block, about ten miles out of Napier, which forms the subject of a most elaborate report from Judge Richmond, and of another somewhat shorter from Judge Manning, who were on the Hawke’s Bay Alienation Commission. Ho evidently had got up his case, and bo brought up statement after statement, imputing the very grossest corruption to Mr Ormond, and reflecting it on Sir I). McLean. After stating there had been then only four interpreters in Hawke’s B«y—Mr Grinded, Mr Worgan, and the Hamlins—he proceeded to attack every one of their characters, and then went on to say that each of them had been promoted afterwards, insinuating that the promotion came on account of shady services rendered to these private parties, 1 hear it said about the place that it was not a bad move of Sheehan’s bringing in the name of one of the above in connection with the others, as his appointment on the West Coast, after a previous dismissal from the Service, had been a very great blunder on the part of the Ministry, and one they had suffered from, as he had made a fearful mess of things there, and was once more dismissed. By classing him with others whoso characters are above suspicion, Mr Sheehan threw dirt which would stick, and deprived the Government of the power of defending their officers. It was really worth while to watch him, while deploring the painful necessity which compelled bim to bring forward accusations against the Native Minister, he tried very hard to look as if he were grieved, but the attempt was a failure. Then arose Sir D. McLean, who said but little, contenting himself with denying the accusations made against him, and showing that Judges Richmond and Maiming were of a totally different opinon from Mr Sheehan, who had conducted the native esses before their Court, and that they had recorded that decision in moslunmistakeable language. He denied the imputations both for liimeolf and the people of Hawke’s Bay, Sir George Grey then said a tew words, and Mr Ormond got up. It was pretty well known that he had threatened that if such a motion came on ho would make it “so hot” for Lord Henry (Hon. H. R. Russell) that the Council would be obliged to take notice of it; and ho carried out Ids threat. Ho exposed bow Mr Sheehan was the paid agent of the Repudiation Association, and bow his speech was merely one made to show his clients he was doing something for his money. To the imputations against him he gave the lie direct as nearly as the rules of the House will admit; and be showed that the accusations against bim came from individuals behind Mr Sheehan, who had tried hard to get that land themselves. As to Mr Russell, he openly accused him of being at the bottom of the whole affair, and as having done a native woman out of money. I bear that the Council is going to take notice of it. The debate got very warm, Major Atkinson expressing his opinion that such a debate was altogether absurd, and that the member who started it should bo ashamed of himself. Eventually, of course, the motion was lost on the voices. People have been asking what object Mr Sheehan had in bringing it on, knowing he must be beaten. I think Karaitiana’s speech will give you a bint. Mr Ormond had said that the lawyershad taken the coats off the natives, and would soon have their skin. Karaitiana said be was willing to part with his skin if he could not otherwise effect his purpose of bringing the matter before the Queen, so that probably Mr Sheehan’s speech yesterday was made with a view of future airing in London. One amusing thing came out, Mr Thomson informed the House that he thought Sir I). McLean and Mr Ormond were shielding themselves behind the report of Judges Richmond and Manning, and there was a roar of laughter, and a cry of “What better could they find ?”•—said report completely exonerating them. . Mr Waterhouse’s speech in the Council the other night has led to a motion by Mr Mantell which, being of the virtuous and platitudinous character, will of course be assented to by every one. It is to the effect that none but honest men are to be employed in Government land purchases. But, I did mean not to mention that subject. What with Brissenden and O’Halioran, what with

Tairua and northern lands, what with Biako | Swamp and Murimotu, and what with inter' | cep ted private letters, wo are sick of the whole | thing down here,. Iho general opinion i appears to bfe that the Government should at | once hick out any person who has betrayed his trust, but that it is very likely that a great deal of what has been insinuated about land purchase robberies will turn out to be a mare's nest. Hr George Grey has followed suit with Mr Mantel!, and given notice that he will move, as an amendment on the question forgoing into Committee of Supply, “ That the purchase or leasing of native lands for or by private individuals, through the instrumentality of paid officers of the Government, or by such officers on their own account, is contrary to the public interest; and that it is desirable that the subject should bo considered next session with a view to enacting that all such lands so purchased or leased since the date of the passing of ‘The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870,’ should be deemed to be part of the public estate, the colony refunding to such purchasers all sums proved to have been properly expended by them in the purchase of such lands.” Of course any improper dealings on the part of officials is wrong; that is a truism. But officials are asking whether a rule is to be made that they can buy no lands from the natives, as there are plenty of cases were lands have gone through the Native Lands Court, and are held under Crown Grant by native owners. One of the hardest hits which has yet been given to Sir George was administered on Tuesday by Mr Andrews when the “free breakfast table” motion was made. Mr Andrews recapitulated the eminent services which Sir George had rendered the colony, and said he was reminded of an episode in Roman history, where one Manlius had achieved high renown, but having become elated and taken up a wrong course, was hurled from the Tarpeian Bock, However he only lost his life, and his fall from that rock was nothing compared with the depth of social degradation into which the member for City West was rapidly sinking. Sir John Eichardson, Speaker of the Legislative Council, is an advocate for Separation, and r rather good story is told about bim. Ho had a fully prepared speech which he meant to deliver in committee on clause 2; but when the Council went into committee, by the time he had got to his room and doffed his robes and returned, he found them at clause 6; so ho had to bring in his speech by a side wind. Mr Stokes has just given notice for Mr Man tell ol a postponement of his honesty motion for a week ; that means to the Greek Kalencl Another ten days will finish all

You have, of course, heard by wire bow Mr Kelly proposes to divide his district by letting Napier have one member, and the rest of Hawke’s Bay, including Poverty Bay and the East Coast, return two. It may stave off part of the indignation which is pretty openly expressed at Napier getting another representative, and I should not wonder to see it carried, especially as it is felt that next Parliament will re-arrange the distribution of seats.