POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3754, 27 July 1883, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

[FROM OUR OAVN CORRESPONDENT.] AVellington, This day

Things done in the "wee sma' hours" will not always bear the light. They, at any rate, do not look avcll in print. Such is tho opinion of Mr Fish, for yesterday he mado a personal explanation to tin House that he had not erected a stonewall; that lie had not spoken more than a few minutes at that famous sitting on Friday night last, which absorbed so much of tho early part of Saturday. Some special correspondents had actually telegraphed that he had spoken for two hours. Mr Fish Avould have nothing to do Avith a stonoAvall, and as others deny they had anything to do Avith such a proceeding I am reluctantly compelled to admit that the Press reporters must have had heavy suppers, and that no such sitting took place, and that members Avent homo in peace at a decent respectable hour. All that may be so, but tho Press men think different, and consider that Messrs Fish and Turnbull did rob them of a portion , of their rest.

Some of our figures puzzle me. The cost of sheep inspection compared with tho account of rates raised in the different districts show somo queer diversities. Canterbury and Hawke's Bay contribute largely in excess of the costs, the sheep rates collected in those two districts being more than double tho expenses elsewhere. What puzzles me is why this should be so.

The annexation resolutions slightly amended wore agreed to yesterday, au attempt by Mr Montgomery to reject one being badly beaten. AVhy he persistently flics in tho face of fate, and goes to clivisions on points on Avhich his own folloAvcrs won't support him, I cannot understand. Next week AA-ill be a Aveek of debate. The stirring times which should have come this Aveek are a certainty next Aveek, as avo are to have a three-cornered debate beginning on Tuesday. On that day tho Treasurer AA'ill move his Property Tax Bill, Mr Montgomery brings on his proposed repeal of that measure, and Sir George Grey will advocate his laud tax as against a property tax. It is expected that the debate Avill last long, and of course it -will partake of all the characteristics of a no-confidence motion. I will haA-e more to say on this subject before long. Canterbury diamonds Avere yesterday announced to the Houso to bo genuine.