WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 2994, 23 September 1872, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(from our own correspondent.) September 10. After an amendment had bem placed before the House, proposing to make the Wast; Laud Board non-political, several speakers took part in the I. batethat ensued. Mr Brow q (Canterbury) supported the amendment strongly ; Messrs Reid and Macandrew argued against it, the latter stating that several attempts had been made to modify the constitution of the Board—at one time by appointing a large number of gentlemen to the Board; but, linding that did not work well, the present constitution of the Board was adhered to. The amendment was lost, many who supported it last session voting contrary, among whom were Messrs Calder and Bell. Mr Webster said he could not understand the decision arrived at; it could only have been from the fact that many of those present did not understand thoroughly the question at issue. He was surprised that so many beyond the “faithful few ” who were constant in I heir attendance were present, and was anxu us to know, seeing that Mr Bunny was present iu the House, whether there was a Wellington Debts Bill imminent. In reply to some remarks made by Mr Bathgate he said that gentleman was ignorant, but, in a very happy way, he recalled the word, substituting the expression “not full of knowledge.” A member in the seat behind Mr Webster, who had been wooing “sweet balmy sleep, nature’s soft nurse,” and who apparently had not been edified by the debate, emitted at this juncture a most, unholy grunt — l whether of approval or disapproval deponent knowpth not; at all events, Kip Webster not caring for speh marks of ap. pUuse, called the sleepy membpr to order by giving him a punch in the ribs, thereby arousing the risible faculties of the tired members present. M'* .Steward (Oamaru), ip his remarks upon the amendment, said that at the present pate of progress, b/ a calculation he had made, the Waste Laud Bill would occupy the House for twelve days longer. The amendment was that the word “ Governor” should be substituted in lieu of “ Superintendant. It also was lost on the voices, no division being called for. It is surprising bow very few members of the House have their sympathies enlisted in the Bill, they vote it a bore, and it was only a few ou'g’do of Otago who have made a promise to Mr Reid “to see it out,” that wtpa present “to do as 1 bid you.” Even the Government Benches were empty, and it was only upon the occasion when Mr Webster was pitching into the Government for not guiding the House in the measure before them, that Mr .Stafford’s henchman rushed ont for him. This brought to his logs Mr Stafford, who could not eulogise the Bill, He, however, attempted to shew to the com* miitec that it was unfair to ask the Government to take charge of a measure of such magnitude in proportions, seeing the short time they had been in office, and it being purely a Provincial question, remarking that when the Bill was before the House last session. two members of the then Government voted for the second reading of the Bill and two against. The Bill will be again in committee to-night. There is not the slightest chance of the Bill getting through the Upper House this session—if it over will, It is a Bill cumbrous and unwieldy in all its parts, clogged with so many conditions that it would require a philosopher to unravel its mysteriesWhat is wanted is a plain Bill, that anyone will imdorstmd with less verbiage, and definite in all its parti that no Land Board can twist to serve a purpose expunging from it such absurd expressions as, “ If the Board see fit” &c.— Contrary to the opinion entertained, that the motion in regard to water supply for goldfields would be shelved by the action taken by some goldfields members, w r ho seem to.be governed by party action rather than in the interests of their constituents, the debate on Mr Maoandrew’s motion was again resumed this afternoon on Mr Sheehan’s amendment, which Mr Macandrew had accepted. The motion of Mr Macandrew was to the effect—- “ That a sum of £IOO,OOO he placed at the disposal of the Otago Provincial Council out of the Immigration and Public Works Loan, to develop mining industry by supplying water on the goldfields. ” The Premier said the motion was one with the first part of which the Government could not agree. The motion was opposed to the spirit of the resolution upon which, by a majority of 40 to 37, the Government bad been placed in office,

viz., that the Government should have uncontrolled power over the expenditure under the Immigration and Public Works Loan ; and yet they were asked to hand over the uncontrolled disposal of £IOO,OOO to the Province of Otago. Mr Mervyn then moved the previous question, which, however, was not seconded, and suggested that a Minister of Mines should be appointed. Poor Mr Mervyn ! there is little chance of his getting that billet. I fancy the constituents of Mount Ida will know a thing or two before he takes his seat again after another election as their representative, and the sequel of the debate will show the delusion his constituents have been laboring under. Mr Bathgate supported the motion as a matter of simple justice. Messrs M ( Glashan and Harrison recommended its withdrawal, so that it might be brought up in another shape. Mr Sheehan then proposed his amendment as followsln the opinion of this House the sura provided by loan for water supply on goldfields (excepting the sum of L 50.000 to be held in reserve for new goldfields), should be allocated amongst the goldproducing Provinces and the County of Westland, upon the basis of mining population • and that the suras so allocated should be handed to the chief local authorities for expenditure upon waterworks, to bo approved by the General Government, and upon inch conditions as will insure that the money shall be expended only on approved works.” Several speakers moved adjournments. One division was called for, resulting in ayes, 4 ; noes, 37, Mr O’Conor speaking against time. The dinner hour thus arrived before the amendment was disposed of. The attempt to shelve the question did not answer, as somehow it was managed to bring the discussion on again this afternoon. It was determined by the supporters of the amendment not to give an opportunity of burking it by abstaining from speaking, and Mr Sheehan only slightly touched on the question when again bringing it before the House. The Premier, Mr Stafford, opposed the amendment, and a division was at once taken ; for the amendment, 23 ; against, 29. I append a list of the Otago votes, that it may be seen who have really the interests of the goldfields at heart FOR AMENDMENT. AGAINST, Bathgate Pell Bradshaw Brown Macandrew Calder M'Glashan Hallenstem Reynolds ,e ir H- Monro Shepherd Murray Steward Reid Tairoa Thomson Tolraie (paired) ' ABSENT. Mervyn I Webster M'Gillivray 1 The goldfields members—Messrs Brown, Hallenstein, and Mervyn—are strong partizans of Mr Stafford, and evidently would rather sacrifice the interests of the goldfields than vote against their chief; the latter, although absent when the vote was taken, moved the previous question onMrMacandrew’s motion. What excuse these gentlemen can give to their constitnents for so acting is unknown, as neither of them gave any reason in the House. In conclusion, I may state that, of a 1! the members from Otago, Mr Mervyn makes himself consjjicuous by bis absence from the House,

(For continuation of News see fourth page.)