WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 3947, 19 October 1875, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

[By Telegraph.] {From our own Correspondent) Wellington, October 19. The Council seeks to confine the borrowing power of the 1 unedin Corporation t0L200,000, but the Lower House insists on a larger amount. The Public Accounts Committee will report recommending the appointment of a Royal Commission during the recess, or tho postponement of further inquiry till m xt session, 'The Council reoom oencls Government to consolidate all the bwa relating 1.0 the employment of females, an! the introduction of such provision from tho English Acts, more especially those relating to the education of children, aa may be found applicable to the circumstances of the Colony. At to-day’s sitting Sir E. D. Bell will announce his retirement from the chair and from political life. Mr O’Rorke is certain to be the next Speaker. The_ House of Representatives met yesterday with a foregone conclusion upon the Pay &ient of Members Bill. The general opinion was that it was useless to fix the amount when the duration of future sessions was so uncertain, and that 150 guineas was too small. Sir C, Wilson, continually harping on his utter abhorrence of payment to members in any shape, brought Mr Pyko to his feet with the exclamation that he was astonished at the member for Heathcote, who always told the House he was not in favor of payment, yet carefully took his cheque and walked home with the money. There were roars of laughter at this sally, and Sir C, Wihon was immediately on his feet. He wanted to know who the hon. member was, to dictate to him what he was to do with the money he was legally entitled to. So long as the honorarium lasted he would pocket it The House very unceremoniously kicked out the Bill. There was immense fun on the Representation Bill, Tho Committee approached the clause fixing the number of members with a determination to limit it to eighty-two, as originally brought down. Sir Q. Grey was eloquent on the wrong done to the North Island, and to the Thames in particular. Mr Bryce fought hard, but unsuccessfully, to retain bis victory of Friday. Through tho Chairman of Committees turning a deaf ear to Mr Pyke’s call for a division at an early stage of the discussion, nearly two hours was wasted, end the Committee was in great confusion during the greater part of tho time. The next lime Mr P\ke addressed the chair, he fairly bawled ; and Major Jackson, anxious to strike for the Waikato while tho iron was hot, fairly galloped over the boundaries of the district. The confusion become worse confounded, when a division was taken. Though when the doors were locked fifty-three members were in the House, only forty nine appeared on the list; and Mr J. li. Brown, one of the tellers, refused to sign it, Mr O’Rorko reported him to the House, when the Speaker ordered a fresh division. Major Jackson’n victory was received with cheering, but it is doubt that his great popularity on bo .hj sides of the House secu-ed fer Waikato an additional member. To-day Mr Wales asks whether the Government in apportioning the money voted for roads n Native districts will take into consideration the claims of Portobello district, adjoining which there are large Native reserves now being leased for purposes, and from which reserves the district road board receives no rates. Also, whether Government will during the recess take into consid iration tha advisability to establish chairs of political economy in connection with the New Zealand University. Also, the advisability of employing a competent autboiity to conn ile a series of simple text books of the New Zealand Law and History and the Common Law of England for use in the common schools of the O lony. frfince the Hills cannot all be got ready, the prorogation is postponed till Thursday. Mr Bridges’ examination before the Accounts Committee was c nlitmed to day. He continues to bes atter people, indulgi- g in insinuations pretty freely, particularly at .sir J. Vogel’s expense; but he will not permit himself to be pinned to anything. The feeling of the Committee is that nothing further should ho done till Sir J. Vogel’s return. The rules under the new Debtors Act will be submitted to the Judges and the Chamber of Commerce for approval. Mr Bowen hopes to be able to bring them intofoice by ths beginning of next year. The general elections are expected to fake place early, as soon as the roils can be issued.