Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1871.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1102, 24 August 1871, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1871.

The session of the General Assembly has not commenced very auspiciously fqr the Government. Jt is tvue that up tq the latest dates they had not suffered an actual defeat, but the opposition must nevertheless regard the result of the first division as sufficient proof that the power? of defeat lies in its }iands, as soon as it may please to bring jt to bear, against the Ministry. The question in debate was a proposition of Mi Collins, of Nelson, for " a return of \h& names of all not being officers, of the Provincial or General Gq-

vernment, to whom the use of the telegraph without payment had been extended lately." The Government objected—lst, that public interest would suffer from the return, as names of native chiefs must be disclosed, and sources of information cut off; and, 2nd, that as political leaders the Government had used its privilege, and that the late Government had done the same thing. On both these points the Opposition gave way, expressing its willingness to amend the motion so as to exclude telegrams relating to native matters, and include the term of office of the late Ministry; but the Government were firm, and stated that the motion would be regarded as one of want of confidence, Notwithstanding this, they only secured a majority of five members, many of their opponents abstaining from voting, and none of them being prepared to push matters to extremity at so early a stage of the public business. On the whole this little skirmish may be taken to foreshadow something more serious to the position of the Ministry at no distant date.

A detachment of 15 men of the Armed Constabulary Force, under SubInspector Rowan, anived here by the jfjuna, from Wellington, last night.

By a proclamation in the New Zealand Gazette, issued on Saturday last, it is notified that the third class militia of the several districes mentioned below have been released from duty under the existing Militia Act :—South Napier, North Napier, Wairoa [Hawke's Bay], Rangitikei, Wellington, Grey town, and Masterton,

We observe that Sergt. Christie, of Dunedin, the Champion ot 1865, offers to fire a match with any person for any sum up to .£2so—the match to be fired in Dunedin.

There was no business at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. The Hawke's Bay members in the General Assembly Mr M'Lean, of course, not included —left for Wellington in the Luna this afternoon.

By a notice posted in tlie Telegraph Office we observe that the charges for telegrams to Em-laud via Sau Francisco will, from this day, August 24, be as follows :—For the first ten words, £2 17s 0d; and for every additional word, 6s.