WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 134, 5 September 1868, Page 4

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

(From our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, August 24th. The introduction of the telegraph somewhat interferes with the thread of the narrative of events which a correspondent might attempt to place on record from time to time as bits of news, and in fact the substance of what goes on is transmitted to you, I perceive, regardless of expense. It is to be hoped that your subscribers will duly appreciate the effort you are thus making to please them by placing within their reach the very latest intelligence from everywhere, ihe cost of which luxury is not to be trifled with now-a-days, as shown by your provincial contemporaries, who evidently opine that discretion is the best part of valour, and act accordingly. I see that the Hawke’s Bay Herald, an old established and well conducted paper, rose its price immediately upon the opening of the telegraphic line to Napier; and that the inhabitants of that locality have wisely appreciated the cause of the slight increase, and favored the journal in question accordingly. In matters political, everything here seems at the present moment in a most chaotic state. Of parties—in the parliamentary sense of the word—there are a multiplicity. The Government keep quite aloof from supporters or opponents—go on in the evenness of their ways—and, while offending their friends, do not lay themselves out to conciliate their enemies. The debate on the want of confidence motion has produced little or nothing, and has in no degree brought out Minister’s policy—further than their views with regard to the Native rebellion—for the very good reason, told me by one of the most influential Stafford-meu the other day, that they possess none of a definite character ; and, perhaps wisely think that in the crisis the colony is at present undergoing, the remedies must be varied according to succeeding symptoms of disease. This, however, pleases nobody. The ultraCentralists are almost ready to desert the Ministerial side because the Government does not go far enough for them, and have stated it their intention not in any way to interfere with the larger provinces, whenever the latter can minister to their own wants. Many Middle Island members have begun to tire of the interminable calls made upon their pockets by the jever-recurring native difficulties, and they almost feel inclined to advocate geographical separation. The adherents of the county system, on the other hand, blame the Government for not having brought in at once a measure giving self local government to districts petitioning for the same Out of all this muddle nothing tangible has yet come to light. During the last sitting (21st inst.), Mr. Bunny—who uses might and main to be thought the leader of a new party, and whose sonorous voice dominates all others at the cav-cuses held by the “outlying districts” representatives—stated that the latter.had at last agreed upon a substantial scheme of government, which would be introduced very shortly before the House. Considering, however, that those gentlemen representing County districts are far from being udited in what they think should be legislated, for the purpose of giving Local Self-Government to the dissatisfied inhabitants of those districts, it is not at all probable that a measure, such as could be devised by them, will in any way be found acceptable independently of Ministerial assistance. The Government have lost ground lately, owing to the total disorganisation of their supporters, who, like the members of the,Opposition, are divided and subdivided on those two great points—namely, financial adjustment, and future re-constitution of the colony. For my part,. I, think that what the Ministers have ultimately in view, is indicated by what has already passed on the subject between them and the Home authorities—at least as far as the general outline is concerned. The practical working of the scheme they probably intend leaving to circumstances which will arise during this session, and give them an opportunity to turn their sails in a favorable direction. In answer to u question from Mr. Cox, as to whether the Government had received by the last mail Iroto England, any intimation from her Majesty’s Government, in respect to the proposed introduction of a measure into Parliament to give power to the New Zealand Legislature to act out-

ide of the four corners of the Con dilution Act by creating counties Independent of Provinces ; Mr. Stafford admitted that such was the case, and that ho believed that such HUi had passed the House of Commons. The despatch bearing on this subject will be shortly laid before the Assembly, and its contents probably will prove the shadow Ibat coming events are expected to ca>t before them

Tilt division on Mr. Fox’s motion of want of confidence, tin* debate on which lasted a fortnight, and during which nearly half a hundred speakers favoured the House with their views or recriminations, when often taking advantage of the undefined limits of that vast motion to wander into all sorts of topics—proved really the decided leebleness of the Government, When the majority obtained is weeded out of the various elements whicli unfortunately are always to be found even in the best, Parliament that ever existed, the Government must, really confess that a very small portion of the true and disinterested representatives of the people of these Islands, coincide with their views.

The absurdity of the Maori element introduced in the Assembly i< now keenly Celt. The only Maori who voted ata’i had been enthusiastically applauded a few days before, when he “ road ” in a most emphatic tone that he would never think: for a moment, ignorant as he was of the language, and of the merits of the subject under debate, to record his vote. Mr. Patterson, the dusky gentleman in question, broke his pledge, however, and voted for the Government, i be oilier two Maoiis did not vote at all, although known to be closely connected with Messrs. Fox and Featherston, the fact of having received a portion of the sessional houarium doubtless stirring up within their breast that wellknown feeling of gratitude, which 1, however, during a Colonial career of thirteen years havnnever yet found, but in print. The half-caste member, Hus ell, speaks English fluently ; in fact, if reports are true, he is rattier deficient as a Maori linquist. A number of men who last year appeared to have nailed their colours to the mast, either on the Ministerial side or with Provincialism, have chassecroise. and taken a different stand this, year. What has “ moved the spirit within them’* to effect this result is only known in a few cases, Mr. Cargill, this session, voted witli Mr. Fox ; and that stout pillar of ultra-provincialism—Sir. Eyes —paired off in favour of the Government. As y**t, the latter has not favouied the House with a reason for such sudden change in his opinion ; and as things political have hardly altered to that extent since the last session as to warrant such an old political stager as your representative is said to bo, from recording any organic change of opinions “ in a most silent manner,’’ the Fox and Featherston party have been naturally “set a thinking’’ by the unexpected sight of losing from their .-ide, one whose political views wore far from b ing hidden under a bushel lust year. Your Superintendent, some people say, is inclined to look upon the County system as the one which will more effectually replace defunct Provincialism when the time comes; and that, taking all circumstances of the present state of things into consideration, he is perhaps choosing a lesser evil ; others, whom I think are not worthy of belief, will have it that Hie Government has the member for the Waitau entirely nndir their influence, as a mere piece of political machinery, whicli only wants now and then suitable oiling, in order to vote in the right direction. From what I have been able to see, unlike the Picton man, Mr. Kkxny, who is a constant attendant, both in the House and at all the caucuses, Mr. Eyes takes little ui no interest in what goes on, only showing up in his seat at intervals. Mr. Kenny, your other member, appears an active and fai-seeing man. Although a r.ewlv elected representative, and having only been two or three weeks in town, lie has already “ shaken himself” into a prominent position, and has taken his place with the best toned men of the Assembly. His views are decidedly of an nltra-Central character I find, and from what I have heard he has laid down at the late meeting of the “ outlying district ” representatives, he has evidently studied the position of affairs with particular care. He has joined the Independent men who care little for (ho “ County scheme,’’ tint wish only for a slrong and cheap system of Central Government, witli Local Hoards having requisite powers to effect their work and no more, and has already taken the lead with tlioso holding these views. Whether this session will give prominence to that party is hard to say; but I am quite convinced, since 1 heard the fortyfive odd speeches made during the “ great debate,” that those ultra-Ccutralists will ultimately gain the day. As Alcibiades is said to have affirmed in ancient history, in limes of trouble, it behoves every citizen to take a stand somewhere in politics, and it is the duty of the “ peoples’ elect ’’ to choose a side and follow an opinion, in order to guide or represent those who have placed them at the fore if ever a crisis demanded the energies and independent support of every public man in New Zealand, it is at the present moment, when the question of the day is no less than that of altering the Constitution Act of the Colony, under which we have been governed since first it was settled. The Disqualification Bill, brought out on Fiiday last, an immense quantity of venom, which must have been “bottled up” for some considerable period. Gentlemen in the Lower House threw defiantly at the head of each other .he harshest words which the extreme marginal line of Parliamentary etiquette will allow ; and the various ways in which Mr. Stafford and two or three more managed to disguise the plain English ol accusations of “ having told a falsehood,” whicli now and then were hurled defiantly across the Chamber, was politically marvellous. But the white-haired Sergeaht-ut-arms was nodding his cap-covered venerable head by the fire-place; the pompous and “May-quoting*' knight wiio presides at those lamentable exhibitions, is getting used to the numerous Americanisms'[nst invading the once dignified tone of honorable members, and the Bill, “ providing that all Provincial officers, but Superintendents, shall henceforth be excluded from taking seats in Parliament,” passed through its second reading amidsta storm of violent abuse and dismally loud personalities. For instance, Mr. Houghton culled Major Heaphy a mad dog, and compared Mr. Fox to a “jester with caps and hells,” who did his own jesting and tumbling, while lie Mr. Houghton did not mind being thought by the “ coining man ” to be the jester of the Ministry, as Mr. Fox had once called him. Major Heaphy, V. 0., made a most violent atuck upon the Government, in which he was much cheered, saeeriugly alluding to the corruption which had characterised their acts when forcing Mr. J. C. Crawford to leave the Legislative Council last session, because he had voted against the Government in the Public Debts Bill, and bringing again on the Superintendents the virulent paragraph once written by Mr. J. C.

Richmond, when he compared Mr. Stafford to “a tailless anthromorphous ape.” The discussion—or rather the fight, lasted the whole day, and until an advanced hour of the whole night. The Bill, however, is not expected to finally pass in its present shape. Mr. Ryes was not present during the debate, but other Superintendents who were there voted for the second reading, Mr. Macandrew particularly complaining that the Board was hardly stringent enough, and should include Superintendents, members of Council, and of Road Boards. The Libel Bdl, introduced at the instance of a few editors and proprietors of this town, passed its second reading, it being fathered by two veterans of journalism, who once held high positions on the staff of the Otarjo Daily Times —Messrs. Vogel ami Harrison. The Lords are doing great work this session, and are also about to introduce a Bill to secure the freedom and independence of their House, and sadly too do they want it, as shown last session, by the pressure placed upon some of its members, some of whom were telegraphed for by Mr. Stafford to come post-haste and vote for the Government on ttie Public Debts Bill, two of whom bad to resign their seat nolens volens in consequence of having behaved too ind“pendeatly in the matter. The nows of the wreck of the Taranaki has caused great consternation here. She had on board a most valuable cargo, a portion of which came via Panama, and many people here are great losers thereby. The JV.Z.S. M. Company will, it is to be feared, have to be wound up. If any one of your speculative readers is inclined that way, I have some twelve shares at their disposal, and will take an offer.. The last quotation was £25. The inquiry into the cause of the wreck will take place in a day or two, and you will probably receive the telegraphic intelligence of its result before this communication, sent to-day per Falcon, is placed in typo for publication. This fine lit tie vessel is gaining great popularity here, and there is little doubt that under the judicious management she has been placed, she oflers the very best means of transit across the Straits to your province.

A gentleman from your city, who once belonged to the Lower House, was pointed out to me a few days ago on the Beach, as the talented speaker who gladdened the heart of your Provincial Councillors, when delivering himself of an oration which lasted some ten or twelve hours. Mr. John Hall, who spoke against time during the great debate, would doubtless give much for the physical powers which your ex-member must really possess to a not ordinary degree. From the latter to musical matters, there is but one step, if 1 am rightly informed, and that brings me to the subject of the grand concert given a few days ago in the “ House which Jack built,” as the delightfully refreshing Mr. George Graham calls it. Sir George Bowen allowed the Committee formed to arrange matters, to use the “ Edinburgh ” ball-room, and certainly St. Paul’s organ’s fund, in aid to which the concert was given, must have highly benefited by the entertainment, as this enormous building was entirely filled The rank and fashion of the place listened for several hours to some really very good vocal and instrumental music, well selected. Nearly 100 amateurs took their place on the platforms, and one of the best choruses I have yet heard in New Zealand was produced that night. There is no news from either the present seat of war, or the East Coast. Colonel Whitmore is expected here in the Waipara, either to-day or to-morrow ; “ success is half the battle,” and as one after one each detachment sent to “bag” those exiles from the Chathams entirely failed, the Colonel will probably feel his defeat less keenly. Mr. Ormond, the member for Hawke’s Bay, tells me that this officer’s conduct at the celebrated right of Onanaraauui was exceptional, and the most that can be said of his reverse is, that inasmuch as “ hungry bellies have no ears,” so they often lack sufficient patriotism to feed on fern-root foranumber of days previous to fighting. A great advance is expected to take place at Patea. Colonel McDonnell has been joined by 1100 “painted” (sic) warriors, eager for the pay it is said, and a great deal more for the plunder. McDonnell marched his troops against the enemy a few days ago, but so far with the result only of burning and destroying a few empty pahs or whares ; the old system again, some people will say. The brave fellows picked up in tne streets of Wellington, so far, did their work to admiration, and 1 doubt not will be found more serviceable after having received a little more training. McDonnell has written here to the effect that one-third of these men had never fired a gun in their lives. Bye-the-hye, I am informed that one of the gentleman volunteers who was shot down by the Hau-haus at Poverty Bay when Colonel Whitmore was repulsed, belongs to your province ; 1 allude to Mr. Davis Canning. An Hawke’s Bay M.H.R. tells us that he had just received a legacy of £3,000 from home, was about to be married, having purchased some land in Hawke’s Bay, when the poor fellow was thus cut off. He was struck by two bullets in the breast when charging upon the natives, gave his rifle to the nearest man in the ranks, and then fell dead 1