POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3792, 10 September 1883, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.J

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.! Wellington, This clay

The last ceremony in connection with tho session was marked by tho same bitterness and acrimony as has distinguished this session all through as compared with other years. Mr Hamlin, who was acting for the Speaker, had just finished reading the list of bills' assented to, when up rose Sir George Grey to give notice of a motion for next session. Major Atkinson at once rose and said an understanding had been come to that no business should be taken. Sir George asked with whom was that understanding made r '' The leader of the Opposition, Mr Montgomery, and myself," was the reply, to which Sir George Grey replied, " An understanding to which I was no party can't bind mo at this time." There were exactly thirteen members present, including four Ministers, about ten spectators, the chairman of the Press Gallery, the Post reporter, and two specials, of whom I was one. It had been rumored —forgive my borrowing this once from the vocabulary of the specials—that Sir George meant to air a grievance. A member then drew attention to tho fact that there was not a quorum nor a chairman. Sir George Grey said it was a very important matter, and one which affected the country very much. Some one again remarked that no business could be taken. Mr Shepherd said members were entitled to express their views on any subject they thought fit till the messenger announced them to the Legislative Council, and such had been done in previous years. Mr Buchanan said business could bo taken, and ho had seen such done, not only here but in the other Australian colonies. Sir George Grey then moved that Mr Moss take the chair. Colonel Trimble rose to a point of order, and you would not believe that thirteen members could made such a din, and, to the credit of Ministers bo it said, they were passive and silent. Amid yells of what was the point of order, Colonel Trimble said the point of order was that " you aro the chairman in the absence ofjthe Speaker.'' Mr Hamlin not being at this time in the chair, Mr Buchanan replied that there was no one in the chair to appeal to, so the point of order was useless. Colonel Trimble would not yield, and said he was in possession of the chair. Sir George Grey said this was one of the most shameful proceedings he had ever witnessed, while Mr Buchanan said to Colonel Trimble's remark, "Most assuredly not; you arc not in possession of the chair.'' Sir George Grey: "Then I shall address Major Campbell."

Colonel Trimble: " Major Campbell is not in the chair. I keep to the point of order." Sir George Grey: "I enter a protest. I beg to enter a protest against the proceedings. The Speaker not having been in the chair, as is necessary by law.'' The messenger had been waiting some time, and a pause here ensuing theSergcant-at-Arms shouted "Message from the Legislative Council." The message having been received, the four Ministers and five other members repaired to that Chamber, where again I found the unlucky number thirteen, there being exactly that many Legislative Councillors present. I need not here repeat about the prorogation, as my advance telegram on Saturday was correct. There were nine ladies in the Gallery, and perhaps two more spectators. The scene in the House of Representatives I do not think has ever been equalled in the civilised world, and well might a spectator remark ho was glad ho had not gone to tho football match, as this was better, for if my account is not en all fours with some others, it maybe accounted for by the fact that I was there, and many others were not, and that I have produced mv shorthand notes verbatim et literatim.