A PARLIAMENTARY SCENE.

Evening Star, Issue 3124, 22 February 1873, Page 2

A PARLIAMENTARY SCENE.

TheSvdneypapers supply pretty full reports of the scene which took place in the New South Wales Lower House on the night o£ January 23—a scene that is unparalleled in the parliamentary annals of Australia, The Eveiiimj JVt'W’s reports that, after it few sWp encounters between Messrs Buchanan and Nelson, the former commenced to carryout his threat of “individually exposing the characters and transactions of the supporters of the Government,” Mr M‘lntosh refused to be dubbed “anold hat” by the “ Western Goldfields Thunderer.” and retorted tbit that bon. member was ‘ the greatest vagabond that ever entered the chamber. ” Mr Macin* tosh subsequently threatened to resign. H® said that he had for many years enjoyed a reputable character, and was therefore sorry that he ever entered the House. He not think there was any place *jf. j, much vileuess or wickedness was a 1 to auy poraou aa he bad hoard * , bqf. m ember# during the previ 7 four boaf>.

Towards ten o’clock in the evening Mr fiuobanan made some further remarks affecting the character of lion, members, when Mr Stewart called attention to strangers being in the House, and the galleries were cleared, and, as usual, the reporters were also excluded. Mr Buchanan, in his statements, having reflected upon the integrity of Messrs Wearne anti Hurley—Central Cumberland—the latter, upon Mr Buchanan leaving the chamber, followed him and asked him to repeat his statement made in the House. Mr Buchanan strongly denied having uttered a word against him (Mr Hurley), and called upon some gentleman present to bear him out. These gentl men, including three or four members of the press and Parliament, refused to do this, whereupon Mr Hurley told Mr Buchanan that he was a liar, and threatened to severely castigate him. Mr Buchanan, upon this, retreated as speedily as he could, and shortly afterwards left the precincts of the chamber. After tho doors had been closed for half-an-hour the Press were re admitted, when the confusion inside seemed greater than before. It was quite evident that members were too excited to do business ; accusations were freely interchanged, and things were brought to a climax by Mr Garrett making some uncomplimentary allusion to the member for Liverpool Plains. He thought that the hon. member, Mr Bennett, had some job in hand, or he would not stay in the cnamber so long voting with Ministers. Mr Bennett: Ido not get drunk like you. Air Garrett said that he heard a charge preferred against the hou. member for breaking his pledge as a patriarch of temperance —laughter—and the bon. member did not rebut that charge. Me (Mr Garrett) then proceeded to make some remarks relative to Mr Tunks. which aroused that gentleman, and the following scene ensued : Mr Tunks i I rise to order. I have said nothing during the debate, and the hon. member (Mr Garnett's) reference to me is simply a piece of impertinence. Mr Garrett; I rise to order. I will not , Mr Tunks: I’ll wring your nose for a halfpenny, if you address yourself to me, Sir— , , Mr Garrett: 1 move that the words be takeii down— Hou. Members: Order, order; chair, chair, Mr Parkes : The hon. member for Camden has set himself deliberately to work Mr Garrett: I object to this sort of language. I Mr Raphael; I rise to order. Hon. Members : Chair, chair. Mr Parkes s I rise to speak upon the question whether the offensive remarks should be withdrawn or not: and I say that the hon member for Camden has deliberately cast the most unfounded insults upon hon. members who Mr Garrett: Nothing of the kind. I protest—

Mr Raphael; I rise to order. Fon. Members: Chair, ch.air, chair. Mr Parkes: The hon member who has been so many years Chairman of Com* mittees— Mr Garrett: I object to this sort of thing. I will not- seeing the hon. member for St. Leonards lying down Mr Tanks : 1 d.-n’t believe you are sober now. Mr Garrett; As to what the hon. member threatened, I am not afraid of his doing.

Mr Raphael: I rise to order. Hon. Members : Chair, chair, and con fusion.-

Towards midnight members again gob very drowsy. At about half-past three a.m. there were nineteen members present. Sixteen of these were lying down, the majority of whom appeared to be fast asleep ; and par.ny of them snoring loudly. Mr ' obert«m called attention to the unseemly interruption offered by an extraordinary volley of oasal sounds from an hon. member. He was aroused by order of the chairman, and tbo proceedings were shortly afterwards varied by negotiations for peace, which terminated successfully shortly alter five oV-lock, and an hour later the House adjourned until the usual hour for commencing business this afternoon.

The sittings, the longest on record in Australia, lasted from half-past four p. m. on Wednesday, till six a.ra. on Friday, thirtyseven and a-half hours altogether.