WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2666, 2 September 1871, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(FROM our own correspondent. ) August 20. The political events of the last week afford little to record; of party action there has been literally nothing, if we except what may not inaptly be called the “ break down ” of Mr Collins, a Nelson member, who, with very questionable taste put the following question to the Premier : —“ Whether any urgent necessity existed for sending the Colonial Treasurer to England, when Hr Featherston was so shortly to follow as Agent-General for New Zealand. Also, what was the expense of Mr Vogel’s embassy, and how, or by whom the duties of his department were fulfilled during his absence. ” In attempting to enlarge upon the subject in a way which showed very direct animus, Mr Collins was very properly checked by the Speaker, who confined him to the question. Mr Fox was unusually happy in his reply—- “ To the first part he would say—Yes ; to the second—the honorable member would know in due time ; to the third—by his colleagues.” Mr Collins has not been heard since. The Wellington Reclaimed Land Bill has been passed through all its stages in the House of Representatives, and led to a very smart debate upon the second reading—the purport of this measure briefly stated, is to allow the Provincial Government to sell to the City Corporation some fourteen acres of reclaimed land, which forms part of the securities held by the General Government for cer aiu advai «es to the Province. In some dexterous manner, known only to Fitzherbert and Bunny, who form the Executive, the security is shifted, whilst the Provincial liability remains. There were materials therefore for the easy getting up of a nice row; and in the early part of the debate many members spoke against the Bill, conceiving that the interest of the Colony might suffer. Mr Bunny, however, in a masterly speech, so thoroughly explained the whole matter, that the second reading was carried upon the voices. In this debate, Mr Steward, of Oamaru, made his maiden speech, and acquitted himself very creditably ; his voice is good, he speaks clearly aud perspicuously, and on this occosion certainly evinced complete mastery of A very complicated subject. He is interesting himself very much in the extension of the franchise, and it was his question to the Government which elicited the fact of their intention to bring in a Bill for this very desirable purpose. Mr Macandrew did not bring forward his “constitutional ” resolutions; he has, however, given notice of his intention to do so next Friday. It is understood that many and various amendments wll be moved ; rumor says Mr Stafford wilLgo in for absolute separation. I think thifetm ; s much more likely to be taken by M? who is no doubt prepared to aclvo ojx. the abolition q£ the Provinces. KeyWlds will, of course, annual war daircs of “ financial' separation” upou the oicasion, and will take the opportunity of e/Jflaining, for the hundredth time, what be /bes not very clearly understand himself. Tie “ Dunedin Waterworks Bill,” in anticiprtlon, probably, of opposition, has been deferred to a select committee. There has been, it would appear, some muddle as to the matter of private Bills. The Hoqse of Representatives Iqgt sesgioj} qltepe(| and

simplified mafomjty the S‘ orijers,” i but the Begislapiye Cqqncii denned to do so. I do not knqw that thjs will lead to serious complication, hqt I should imagine it was possible. With regard to other Otago members, Mr Mervyn and Mr Bradshaw hare been gratifying their usual appetite for returns, whilst the irrepressible Shepherd has again been sat upon by the rejection of two consecutive resolutions —»ne of these a motion for a return of “surplus revenue available for public works in Westland ” Mr Reid made his debut in this Parliament by growling out “Aye,” amidst a storm of “Noes,” and demanding a division, which resulted in “Ayes” 9, “Noes” 29. W® may conjecture, from this little show, that the member for the Dunstan has returned to his old allegiance, and intends supporting the League land policy in the House. Mr Murray seems disposed to make himself a useful member, aud to rise as soon as possible from the ranks; he has already tabled resolutions in favor of free postage of uewsi papers, and has obtained leave to bring in a BUI “to encourage by means of loans of public money, improvements ou laud." It is further rumored iu the lobbies that he proposes to break a lance against the official Hydra~qur overgrown and costly civil ser- i vice. Tairoa, tfie Southern Island Maori :

representative; carried his resolution for the constitution of a council of ehiefs, who should administer the affairs relative to the native lands not at present hold,under Crown Grants; he spoke in Maori, although he understands English, and can express himself fairly in that language, I may remark here that the Maories elected to the Parliament are a very pleasing contrast to Meti Kingi and his compeers in the last, and appear, without exception to be agreeable gentlemanly men ; they seem to have clear views of steady voting, and are never absent from their places in the House, The Imprest Supply Bill placing L150,U00 at the disposal of the Government, was passed through without opposition ; and it would seem that the opposition, if it really has, which is more than doubted, any organisation, are holding back for the Financial Statement, which the Treasurer is now reported to be busy upon, and which is promised in about a fortnight* Of course all sorts of rumors are prevalent taking their complexion from the quarters from which they emanate. The Government are no doubt anxious to strengthen tbeir hands in order to carry out their policy successfully ; and it may possibly be true that overtures were made to Messrs Stafford and Hall to join the Cabinet. That these gentlemen have declined in any hostile spirit is certainly without foundation. Mr Stafford could hardly with respect to his own position accept office except as Premier ; an arrangement which would possibly not suit Mr Fox ; while Mr Hall has certain views with regard to the relations between the North and Middle Islands, which he might find it difficult to reconcile entirely with the purely Colonial policy of the present Executive. 'Mr W. H. Harrison has tabled propositions to abolish the existing county system of Westland and substitute local boards, placing the goldfields under the direct control of the General Government. He is supported, I understand, by all his colleagues from the West Coast, and will not be opposed by Ministers. The feeling is gaining ground year by year, that the goldfields of the Colony should be under efficient general control, and confided to a responsible Minister. Agitation in this direction is, I observe, going on in various parts of the Southern Island, and cannot fail to be successful sooner or later. A goldfields committee has been appointed, of which Mr Haughtou is chairman ; they have hardly as yet, however, commenced work, as owing to the strike in the printing office the proposed Goldfields Bill has not yet been submitted to them. The question of “ Water Supply” under part 3 of the Public Works and Immigration Act, 1870, was referred to the Committee by resolution of the House upon Friday; and it will be moved to-morrow that they also consider and report upon the subject of Chinese immigration. The Government propose special legislation for the Auckland goldfields, which which will be exempted from tho operation of the general Mining Statute, in which the alterations and amendments are chiefly in the direction of the recommendation of Mr Wilson Gray. In addition to a wig and dress gown for their Speaker, the Legislative Council are seriously considering the propriety of adopting a “State dress” for the individual member ; they have been amusing themselves with this subject for the last ten days, and have now a solemn committee sitting thereupon, to tlje great amusement of the irrr» verent “Commons” apd the outside public,