A SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1782, 6 November 1879, Page 3

A SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

The Wellington correspondent of the *< Timura Herald” telegraphs:—When the chairman of the Christchurch Election Committee brought up his report unseating Sir George Grey, and declaring Mr Richardson entitled to the seat, Mr Tolo endeavored to move a motion to onset the decision of the committee. Mr Hislop supported him, but the Speaker ruled that nothing could bo done to intercept the report of the committee, which he declared to be final. In spite of some interruptions from Sir George Grey and others, he put the question that the report be entered on the journals. Sir George Grey demanded a division, and the same confusion followed, owing to Messrs Shrixnski, Hislop, and Stewart, who had paired with absent Government supporter?, wishing to break their pairs on the ground that this was not a Government question. The Premier called upon the members •who hod paired to leave the House, which they did, after some hesitation. Sir George Grey was also ordered to leave the House, and when the voices were again taken, an overwhelming majority gave their voice for entering the report on the journals. The Opposition first called for a division, but then withdrew. The Speaker then ordered the Clerk of the Writs to come to the table to erase Sir George Grey’s name from the writs and enter Mr Richardson’s instead. Mr Cooper came in and bowed to the Speaker. Sir George Grey jumped up and tried to intercept the proceedings by a point of law. The Speaker ruled him out of order, and Mr Cooper altered the writ, Sir George Grey still trying to speak. Mr Richardson then came up and took the oath, and when he went to the table to sign the roll of the House, Sir George Grey again rose and raised a question of privilege. He was very excited, and talked great nonsense. The Speaker ruled absolutely that the decision of the committee was final, and that his action was merely executive. Mr Richardson then signed the roll, and took his seat amid loud cheers. The Speaker then proceeded to the business on the Order Paper, and a violent wrangle ensued about a memorandum said to exist, stating the understanding between the Government and Auckland independents. Mr Swanson entirely exonerated both the Ministers and the Auckland members. The affair only did the Opposition harm.