IN THE GALLERY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3780, 27 August 1883, Page 4

IN THE GALLERY.

It is popularly supposed that the horse returning to his corn-bin travels faster than he sets out on his journey. We have been bound for our corn-bin all the Aveck, though now and again avc have come to a closed turnpike, and have had a difficulty in pas'"oti S Monday Mr Conolly introduced the Settled Land Bill. Mr Conolly always reminds me of the stage lawyer, his get-up and appearance arc so much m keeping •with the characteristics of lawyers, not as Avo know them, but as stage traditions say they are. Added to this Mr Conolly has an extraordinary love for anything English. Why, I believe English treason, if such an article had any existence, would recommend itself to him W the very name. His one craze in law seems to be to assimilate the laws of New Zealand to those "f England. To that many objections may be urcved; the circumstances of the two aye not alike, and there are many tilings m English law Avhich wo had better leave alone. This bill was for the purpose otrepealin"' half a dozen other laws and giving us one on English lines. No sooner had the debate on this Land Bill been adjourned than wo rushed into another Land Bill, that introduced by Mr Rollcston, and so the land question, Avhile far from wasted what we might at this period of the session consider a mistake—a night in discussing that which probably there aviis no intention of seeking to make law this

year. On Tuesday we had an animated debate as to whether the Government business on Wednesdays should have precedence. This debate was a pretty nice little sham. The Ministry had a pretty little hllhl thus m their possession signed by v large number of members, agreeing to vote for tins provided the session was hurried over. The House met in .June, wasted all flic first three weeks, about a week later began dismissing when the sessioji would close, and there the wet blanket lias been ever since. Of course such a motion as robbing private members could not bo allowed to pass without a division and a debate, and both must, luivo be.mi satisfactory to the Ministry. In the evening the bill'of faro was Die Native Bill, a subject which is apparently a stumbling block'to many besides myself. Half Hie Southern members do not seem to understand the question, though that in no way prevents them expressing their opinions on the subject. Of course, as might be expected,' the best speech on the bill was delivered by Mr Sheehan, who condemned the measure. He saw but_ two courses open, either the resumption of 2)urch;isc by the Government, or free trade inland. Whether one agrees with his conclusion and deductions or not, one cannot but admire this fluent speaker, who never wants the right word at the right time, who has _tho (jar of the House, and who takes and gives hard knocks smilingly. One thing particularly noticeable about this prominent member of the Opposition —he never charges his opponents Avith corruption. He frequently compliments Ministers, and apparently he is quite willing to place a confidence in them which be would expect to be given to himself under similar circumfitanccs. His fairness is proverbial. I like that straight out hitting from the shoulder. I. like the man who can take punishment. lam afraid that was what made our ancestors' strong believers in the. prize-ring. I am inclined to think such Avon more battles for England than Waterloo.

Wednesday was Avhat might be termed the humorous day of the session so far. A queer petition had been presented by Mr Green, who had not taken pains enough to read it. This Avonderful production wound up by saying " the potato patch avms looking Avellj" and Avanting some more land. Of course that peculiarly fascinating speaker, Captain McKenzie, worked off a joke on it, when the Treasurer Avanted the matter dropped. The former said that astonished him, as the peculiar person hurl had a narrow escape- once from being a member of the House. Then Mr Tumbull wished to know why the West Coast Commissioners had been rigged out, his list going from gloves to jerseys, and winding up by enquiring if they had been returned to tlic Government stores when their labors ceased. Then on the Affirmations Bill Mr Macandrew did not see why ho should not be able to swear if he liked. Seven or eight bills Avere now scut through at a great rate, and then avo bad some more Native Bill, with a speech from Mr Allan Macdonald. When a speaker is not free of his speech, when he is wound up to go, ■when lie fidgets in his manner, and when he lacks confidence in himself, there is sure to be fun. Mr Macdonald painted nicely tho Native Minister at the Bar of Heaven, with To Kooti and To Whiti, on each side ; then ho wished something, but did not seem to know clearly what he wished, evil was wished for him that lie should not be there. Then we had some more painting, Avhich provoked v remark from Mr Hurst, who must have felt sorry immediately after, for Mr Macdouald had not forgotten the "Bci'tio Siivonui" story, and gave the Roland neatly, that Mr Hurst was a yery good hand itt painting, and the hit of course told. I thought Irishmen had a monopoly of " bulls," but I find that- a mistake. Te Kooti was declared the biggest murderer on this earth, and to finish the sentence neatly it was added, "or any other." When our friend was in doubt, or stuck for a phrase, lie brought in the phrase, "What I was liboufc to say was this," the peculiar sound Avhich all Highlanders give to the Avords being there, or " the district I have the honour to represent r However, this is certain, the spueclidid much more credit to the gentleman's heart than to his head. On Thursday we had variety. Questions occupied till ").30. This little arrangement worked avcll, as it was understood it av;is to keep Mr Green's Harbour Bill back. Then we had a breach of privilege in the Post publishing an account of the proceedings of the Dargaville case, after which we had more stonewalling to oppose Mr Green, and as I knew all about the latter arrangement having been made 1 attended that rare thing, an evening sitting in the Council,

when the fun was going fast and furious, and strangely enough the subject was on tho Otago Harbour Bill, which coincidence was the cause of much wonder in the (Jaixisry.