THE HONORARIUM SCANDAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2313, 2 September 1881, Page 3

THE HONORARIUM SCANDAL.

[feom the own cobbespondent op the "rEESS."J WELLINGTON, September 1. The privilege committee of the Legislative Council have presented the following report : —Your oommittee have the honour to report that the evidence taken by the committee established the fact that a member of the House of Representatives, Mr Reeves, undertook to purchase the expectant honorarium of the Hon. Robert Campbell and the Hon. W. Wood, and that Mr Reeves states that he was clearly of opinion that there waß a distinct agreement that the transaction was intended to a binding bargain; that the Hon. W. Wood does not controvert the facts as stated by Mr Reeves, but alleges that what took place when the agreement of sale iB said to have been made was simply a joking conversation, and that he never intended seriously to sell the honorarium. The Hon. Mr Campbell being absent has not had an opportunity of affording an explanation ; the committee therefore express no opinion as to him. The committee is of opinion that, assuming all the facts as alleged to be true, no breach of the privileges of the Council has been committed, but at the same time they consider any sale of the honorarium, eipecially to a member of the House of Representatives, a very irregular and improper transaction. The oommittee, however, are not able to say that they are satisfied that the Hon. Mr Wood did not intend that the transaction, which undoubtedly took place, was understood or intended by him to be a. sale of his honorarium. (Signed)—Q. M. Watebhot/SB, Chairman. We dissent from the report that

we are of opinion upon the balance of testimony that the Hon. Mr Wood entered into an agreement, for the sale of the honorarium to Mr Beeves. (Signed)—J. BT. Welboh-, G. Bttcklky, W. H. Ebynoids. On the report being presented, the Hon. W. Robinson pave notice of motion that it be referred back to the committee.