POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3176, 2 September 1881, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

[by TELEOBAPH.]

(FROM OUR OWN " CORRESPONDENT.; Wellington, September 2.

A ruling that caused some little surprise was given in the Council yesterday. Mr Robinson moved the adjournment of the Council to enable him to speak on the report of the Privilege Committee, when the Speaker said, by one of the standing orders on a motion for adjournment till next sitting day there could be no debate. Mr Robinson then moved the adjournment till Tuesday, but was again met by another standing order, which said a longer adjournment than one day could only be moved after notice was given afc a previous sitting. There has since been some speculation as to the effect a similar rule might have had on recent proceedings in " another place." Some have enquired also if an adjournment till a later hour the same day could be moved to avoid both difficulties raised. The following is the report of the Committee of the Council on the sale of the

Honorarium : —The Committee is of opinion that, assuming all the facts as alleged to be true, no brer.oh of the privileges of tho Council has been committed. But afc the same time they consider any sale of honorarium, especially tp a member of the House of Representatives, a very irregular and improper transaction. The Commifctee, however, are not able to say that they are satisfied that as regards the Hon. Mr Wood the transaction which undoubtedly took place was understood or intended by him to be a sale of his honorarium." The evidence taken was that of Messrs Reeves, Brown, McDonald, Allwrighfc, Hurst, and Seddon, M.H.R 's., Stowo (Clerk of the Legislative Council), Lahmann, and Martin, M.L.C.'s, and a statement by Mr Wood, M.L.C. The Commission appointed to enquire into the circumstances of the recent accident on the Wellington and Masterton line have made their report. After dealing with the evidence as to the cause of the accident, which appears to have been very conflicting, they say : — "We cannot conclude this report without expressing our opinion that it is indispensable for the safety of the public, as well as the protection of the employees, that a very different course should be adopted on the Now Zealand railways with regard to the inquiries held into all accidents where danger is incurred by the public using the railways, and where damage is done to the property of the Government. Under the present system the inquiry is held by the district manager, who is decidedly interested in the matter, and we are of opinion that some independent persons should hold these inquiries,.. and that an opportunity should be afforded to such a person to see the waggon carriages before they are repaired or altered from the condition in which they were immediately after the accident happened." The House is still sitting on the Representation Bill, and will not rise before Sunday morning.