BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 128, 1 August 1868, Page 3

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

“EXPRESS "TELEGRAMS. WELLINGTON. (From our Own Correspondent.) Proceedings in the Assembly. The Battle of the Session Friday, 5 p.m. The Roads Boards debate took place on Wednesday, when 24 members spoke, all of whom except Stafford, Hall, and Richmond condemned the bill as a sham. Ministers defended it on the ground of being intended only for districts not applying for special legislation. Petitioning districts would be legislated for on their merits. Mr. Fox consented to a second reading if Ministers promised a Select Committee, which they agreed to. The Committee was proposed yesterday by Mr. Stafford, who declined putting Bell and Vogel on it. Mr. Fox demanded a ballot, and the result was Bell 21, Vogel 20, Reid 17, Jollie 16,

Carleton 16, Hall 16, Curtis 13, Fox , Kenny 11, Campbell 11, Mervyn 10, and Stafford, mover. The resolution agreed to at the meeting of the Opposition was moved last night. Mr. Fox calling upon the Government to declare their policy before proceeding further with business, tie spoke well for an hour and ten minutes, and was greatly cheered throughout. Mr. Stafford followed for an hour and twenty minutes, declared his policy was so far Conservative that he had endeavored to pub a pillow under the dying Provinces, [?] and would propose no uniform or other policy, except dealing with each application from districts as special circumstances in each case required ; he was a unionist, and his efforts were directed to build the Colony into one great country. He would not declare his Native policy, because it would be known in a few days. The natives were now, or likely to be in arms, but he would not believe in a concerted design amongst them. The natives frontier was a mere matter of strategy, the more they withdrew the greater strength accrued to the enemy, who would attack the settlers with an object. It was impossible for 250 fighting natives in a body to confront us. Rebellion would never assume its former power; he deprecated the idea of the Colony being panic-stricken, because of a few murders. He believed the Southern Islands would never be so pusilanimous as to refuse punishment, because it would cost a few hundred pounds. His peroration received cheers. After Mr. Travers had spoken, Mr. Brown moved an adjournment. There is no reliable news from Napier. The s.s. Stormbird, Capt. Doile, sailed for the Chathams with armed guards. There is nothing new from Patea. The Alarm. — A rumour was current in Blenheim this week which rendered it probable that the Alarm would cease trading to this port, but a telegram received 'last evening states that she will leave Wellington for Blenheim this day.