PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1957, 2 June 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[fbom oma own cobeespondent.] WELLINGTON, Juno 1. Politics are assuming a mare than ever complicated shape. Ministers understood that the Opposition had finally abandoned all idea of attacking the Government on the Address in reply or on any particular point at present disclosed. This idea was further suggested by: Mr Macandrew rising, as loader of tho Opposition, directly after the Address in Reply had been moved and seconded, and declaring his intention to support it. Yet Sir George Grey, acting apparently in distinct independence of Mr Macandrew’s party, has given a week’s notice of his intention to move for tho repeal of the property tax. Thus we have already two practically pronounced leal rsuf the Opposition, each seemingly disj. os;d to act “ on his own hook,” vulgarly speaking. Immediately on the House assembling this afternoon, Sir G. Grey, evidently in order to strike the first blow, tabled a notice of motion regarding the properly tux. It was received with considerable applause, Mr Seymour Qeorgebeing active in assisting. Then came the other notices by Messrs Pyke and Wallis respectively about party processions, payment to newspapers. Government printing and payment of members, all of which were more or less applauded. The Premier gave notice of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, which had been inadvertently omitted on the opening day. Various questions having been answered, tho Bills were introduced of which notice was given on Friday. The Premier proposed a resolution relative to select committees, which was agreed to at yesterday’s caucus. The first real business of the session was commenced by Colonel Trimble moving the Address in Beply tr tho Governor’s speech. The gallant colonel cannot bo complimented on his speech, which lasted over an hour, and was eminently unsuited to the occasion. As was remarked afterwards, it would have been more in keeping had the motion been one of no-confidence in the other side. Ho criticised the action of the late Ministry at wearr’setno length, with a tedious elaborate discourse on finance and their policy and administration His remarks were coldly applauded, as a matter of courtesy, by bis own side j but it was pi in from tho expression on the faces of the Ministerialists that 1 hey wore unspeakably chagrined at the blunders the indiscreet colonel was making,while the Opposition evidently clutched the chance thus afforded them of a free fight and of harrassing the Government with impunity. Colonel T-imble at length concluded amid a general sense of relief/ and Captain Russell, attired iu -faultless evening costume, rose to second-the address. This he did in his customary style of- studious politeness and with unexceptionable deportment. Candidly speaking, there was very little in his

j remarks, but at least they were harmless. He was much applauded for his observation that too much weight was attached to legislation in 0 .ch Parliamentary session and too little to administration, which was of vastly greater importance. He concluded by expressing his hope that the Divine Providence, which they invoked to aid their proceedings, might bo i that of tie Qsd of peace and not the God of la'tles, adding that ho uttered this aspiration in no scoffing spirit. On sitting down he was duly applauded, and then Mr Macandrew rose. As this proceeding on his part was tantamount, according to Parliamentary usage, to an assumption of the Opposition leadership, his rising was the signal for vigorous applause from the few Opposition members present. The House at the time was very thin, Colonel Trimble’s eloquence having nearly emptied it. Mr Macandrew was very brief. He began by ex pressing regret that the Government had not declared their intention of repealing the property tax, remarking that by doing so they would have taken the wind out of the Opposition sails. He expressed his concurrence with Captain Bussell's observation that they had too much useless legislation and too little good administration. He concluded by saying that there was very little in the Governor’s speech, but whai there was he agreed with, and he should support the address in reply. The question was then put, and the ayes had been taken, when Dr. Wallis arose and commenced a dreary sermon, seemingly with the object of protracting the discussion so as to bring on the debate at the evening sitting. He, like Colonel Trimble, achieved a marked success in clearing the house, but that was the only effect produced by his parsonic oration, the chief purport of which was the contrasting of •ho present vice-regal speech with that put into the mouth of the Governor by the Grey Ministry last year. Notwithstanding the action of Sir Gaorge Grey in reference to the property tax, the Opposition members still disclaim any fixed intention of a trial of strength with, the Government, unless a very tempting oppor tunity should offer. They profess their willingness to let the present Ministry have their turn, looking forward to a speedy general election on the passing of the Redistribution of Seats Bill. It is understood that a desperate struggle will be made in favor of having all seats single ones, that is no place returning more than one member. Eespecting the property tax, it is unofficially rumoured that the modification reported to be contemplated by the Government is to exempt personal effects, including household furniture, &c. This, however, is mere rumour, and must not bo taken as in any way authoritative or inspired.

THE NEW COLONIAL BANK.

The Colonial Bank of New Zealand hts added to our street architecturo a very handsome building in the shape of their new Bank in Hereford street, which has recently been completed, and is now occupied. The building is exceedingly substantial and commodious, in addition to being an ornament to the city. The front is divided into two portions, the lower part being Doric, and the upper lonic. The upper windows are supported by columns of Victorian granite, and the whole is surmounted by a stone balustrading. The building itself has 38ft frontage on Hereford street. Entrance to the Bank itself is gained by a recessed porch, through swing doors. The public room is a very handsome apartment 35ft by 35ft, having an ornamental ceiling and a dado running round. The various counters, screens for clerks, ledger keepers, &o, have been finished in good style, and the apartment as a whole is exceedingly convenient and commodious. At the rear of the public portion of the Bank is the manager’s room 16ft by 17ft, which has been very elegantly furnished and fitted. Close by is the strong room of the Bank, solidly constructed of stone with iron doors. This is 10ft by 16ft, lighted with gas, &e. There is a side entrance leading to a hall, in which is the staircase leading to the upstair portion of the building. This provides a private entrance to the Bank, separate entirely from that leading to the Bank proper, and will be used as a means of communication with the offices on the upper floor. At the top of the landing is a messenger’s room and bedroom for the caretaker. Banging from the staircase and opening out on to the passage are six rooms. Four of these are arranged for offices, and a suite of two, including a bedroom and sitting room, will be used by resident clerks of the Bank. The rooms which are to be devoted to offices are well lighted and well proportioned. At the rear of the Bank is a stationery room, lavatories, &a., and over the manager’s room is a mezzanine intended for depositing papers, &c. Mr W. B. Armson was the architect, acd the building fully sustains his wellknown reputation. Mr Joseph Wood was the contractor, and . has carried out his work most faithfully and substantially.