WELLINGTON.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 398, 1 August 1868, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(FROM ©UK SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) July 24, 1868. The detention of the Egmont on account of bad weather enables me to furnish you with a few additional particulars of Parliamentary proceedings. At last the gauntlet ha,s been thrown down by Mr Stafford, and the fight will take place on Wednesday next. I think I told you in my last that the Government intend bringing forward a series of bills .on various general subjects which will supply the plaoj of Provincial legislation. The first of these is the " Ferries and Bridges Bill," the debate on which, clearly showed the jealousy with which the Provincial party regard measures of the land. The Ministry were twitted with not having the courage to attack Provincialism boldly --as Mr Travers said, "If you mean to sweep away Provincial institutions, don't go chipping away at the bricks with such measures as this, but come forward with some bold plan for smashing them up." Ot course ti.e Ministry weie not such fools sis to do anything of the kind. It is much easier to destroy than to construct, and it is better to be prepared with a substitute for Provincialism before knocking it C own. The policy of che Govern- ! ment is to gradually provide the proper conditions of a general system of local government, and then the Provincial system will fall of its own accord. v As another instalment in this direction,' Mr Stafford yesterday moved , the second .reading of the "Road Boards Bill" — a measure providing for the establishment and endowment of Road Boards throughout the Colony. In his speech lie plainlystated that the Bill was an embodiment of the policy the Government intended to pursue— in other words he intimated that the Ministry took their stand against Provincialism and in favor of local selfgovernment. He said that if the Bill should be. thrown out, the country would 1 c appealed to. On the motion of Mr Fox, the debate was adjourned until Wednesday next, Both, parties are actively marshalling their forces, and although the fight will be a strong one, I have little doubt of the result. The Ministry have a good majority, and the fact that petitions praying for the extension of the County system are pouring in from all parts of the colony, carnot fail to influence the House. Petitions have already been presented from Oamaru, Waikouaiti, Picton, Waingaroa (Auckland),' and others are on the way from Wanganui and Havelock. There was a sharp debate last night in Committee on the "Police Offences Bill"; more especially on the section prohibiting Sunday trading. The provisions of tliis section were most absurdly strict, and would have gladdened the heart of the most rigid Sabbatarian. It not only applied to trading in the ordinary acceptation of the term, but prohibited simple amusements. Of course it was strongly opposed by all liberal minded members, its supporters being the "unco' quid" folks of Otago. Some extraordinary opinions were expressed during the debate, and some members actually went so far as to accuse other members of infidelity. During the discussion the Hon. J. C. Richmond let out that " he always thought the 'five wise virgins' were sneaks." The clause was thrown out by a large majority, and the Provincial leaders thought they would have a chance of throwing the Bill out altogether. A motion to that effect was proposed by Mr Reynolds, and a division took place, the result being in favor of proceeding with the Bill. To-night the Hon. Joiin Hail brings forward a Bill for regulating the sale of Waste Lands in Westland. It is based upon the resolutions of the County Council, and will no doubt pass without opposition. The town of Wellington is all excitement regarding the aspect 'of Native affairs' A recruiting office has been opened here, and a good number of men have been enlisted for service at Patea. I understand that an officer is coming down tq the West Coast with the object of

raising a hundred or two men. The last accounts from Wanganui describe everything as being quiet at Patea. The Turoturomokai Kedoubt has been strengthened and garrisoned by picked men, and the local authorities are actively preparing for any emergency that might arise. The first and second class Militia are to be called out, but only for the purpose of being armed and drilled at present, I suppose you will by this time have heard the history of the escape of the Maori prisoners from the Chatham Islands; how they seized the schooner Rifleman, after tying up their guards, and compelled the mate to take them away to New Zealand, and how they in due time arrived at Poverty Bay. The Florence, from Greymouth, was at the Island at the time, and was cut adrift by the Maoris after the hands had been sent ashore. The Government are in a fix what to do with the escapees, if they can get hold of them, because although rebels, they were never tried. It is rumoured to-day that the fugitives have left the position they first took up, and are marching towards Napier. A considerable force of Militia, Volunteers, and loyal natives is. said to be on the way to intercept them. The newspapers here appear to be in a very xuisettled state. There were at the beginning of the week two evening papera and two tri-weekly ones, To-day it is, announced that the Advertiser; which has lately been published daily, wUI in future be a tri-weekly ; and the Journal is to be a weekly. The Post has inoreased ita size, and seems to be the most flourUkine of the lot, *