WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 3883, 4 August 1875, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

[By Telegraph.]

(From our own Correspond'-at.) Wellington, August 3,

The ‘Tribune’ has the following:—“ There are seventy-eight members in the House of Representatives, and they arc divided as follows : forty-five in favor of immediate const! tutioual change, twenty-three in opposition, and eight doubtful. One member is absent, and one seat, is vacant. Suppose a present is made ■ f the doubtfuls t • the Opposition—these would swell their number to thirty-one, hut would still leave the Government a clear majority of fourteen. Sir George Grey has been duly appointed leader of the Opposition, and we are assured that, although a small, they are an exceedingly happy family. You may see the leonine Yon tier Hyde chewing his dry straw most lovingly with bovine Rolleston; the leopard, in the person of Swanson, lying down with the gentle, lamblike Bunny ; and the little child (S r George) leading them along the howling wilderness. Mr Curtis, Superintendent of Nelson, has signified his intention of sup orting the Government policy, Mr Reader Wood, who urged on abolition last session fas et nefas, has intimated that he will not support it this session, as it would be illegal. It is a pity to find a gentleman like Mr Wood trampling his convictions under foot. The members for the city of Wellington will probably neutralise each other. Mr Pearce will support ahol.tion ; Mr Hunter may or may not do so. Mr O’Connor is in favor of abolition, and was not present at the Oppo ition caucus.” August 4. It isolated here that the feeling in Dunedin is rapidly gaining ground against abolition, and the ‘ Times’a ’ article this morning is relied «n.

Mr Macandrcw will decline to say anything on the merits of the Bills, urging that they should be referred to constituencies for a decision, Mr Harrison gives notice of a Bill for securing a copyright of Press telegrams. faiaroa petitions for consideration of the claim _ of himself and others, respecting the Maori Reserve, Princes street, Dunedin. Mr Shepherd presented a petition from Alexandra for a telegraph office. Yesterday the Opposition had a’l the say on the constitutional point. Sir Donald MT.ean declined to notice it, save tb fending the Governor from Sir George Grey’s attacks.

Mr Fitzherberl, who supported his leader throughout, tried, to show that the Imperial Government was pledged to all the ronsrquences of the Ministerial policy on account of the Governor’s action. The ‘'limes’ states that Mr Fitzherbert “overshot the rnark. The Imperial interests argument is a fair enough one for the Opposition to take up, hut the House-may rest assim d the Imperial Government will zealously guard them, and if the^Governor has committed a breach of constitutional practice he will be reprimanded by the

Secretary of State. The fact is the Opposition are excessively sore because the Government stole a march on them in making the Abolition Bill an appropriation one.”