SCENE IN THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XL, Issue 192, 4 August 1876, Page 4

SCENE IN THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

The Sydney Morning Herald of the 15th ins'aot gives the following account of an -unparalleled scene which took j place ia ilie Legislative Assembly of New South Wales:— The debate on the want of confidence motion forward by Mr Fifzpatrick, was brought to a close at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, by a scene unparalleled ia the Parliamentary history of (his, if not of any other, country. As our readers are aware, the proceedings of the House. were not concluded when we went to press yesterday morning. Two or three attecnpla to adjourn the debate were successfully resisted by large majorities on each occasion, the last division on a motion for adjournment being taken about 5 o'clock, when nineteen members voted for the motion and twenty-nine against it. At daybreak the Chamber was the scene of haggard face 3, unkempt heads, littered floor, and general disorder. The long sitting from half past 4 o'clock on the previous afternoon bad demoralised the House. Members grew careless about the debate on the main question, and under motions for adjournment frittered the time away by frivolous discussions. Personal altercations were frequent, but occasionally hoD. members were treated to some fun. Every now and then a point of order was raised, which Mr Speaker bad io deoide. The members or the Opposition expressed their determination to " sit it out," ia order (hat they might have an opportunity of ppeakirig at a time when tha utterances

were likely to be chronicled for the enlightenment of the country. The members on the Government side of the House stubboro!y refused to listen to any appeal for adjournment. It was therefore impossible for any progress to be made with the debate. Nearly 'fifty members were either in the Chamber or within Its precincte during the whole night and day. It was admitted that the Goverment had a majority, and therefore the useless discussions were i not carried on with any view of alter* ! ing the result. An adjournment of j half an hour between 8 and 9 o'clock, and again between 1 and 2 was made, for refreshment. The inane discussion was carriel on by several hon members until about 3 o'clock iv the afternoon, j when Mr Lloyd essayed to speak on the main question. As, however, the motion immediately before the Houbo was one for adjournment, and as he had already spoken upon that, he was precluded from delivering hie address. There was then every probability that the discussion would continue until 4 o'clock at which hour it was known that Mr Speaker woald have to adjourn the House, that it might assemble according to the Standing Orders, for the conduct of Friday's business, and that Mr Fitzpatrick's motion would consequently lapse. Members of the Opposition were charged from the Government beaches with conniving to bring about such a result. Soon after three o'clock, however, Mr Pitzpatrick rose to make a speech which, although under a motion for adjournment, was practically a reply to the addresses tjhat had been made in opposition to his motion. Ha was proceeding with & criticism of (he Colonial Secretary's address when, the hour of 4 was reached, and Mr Speaker rose to declare the sitting at an end. Then followed a scene which baffles all attempts at description and will serve to make this long and extraordinary sesaion ever memorablo in our Parliamentary annals. Mr Speaker's announcement was met with a few cheers from the Government side, which at once provoked counter cheers from the Opposition. Members amidst the j cheeriDg exchanged repartees. These I «rew into angry reproaches, inflaming the resentment of hon. members on both sidee; and these again culminated in a fierce contention of tongues and a general uproar, such as might be expected from ao election mob in front of some hustings. Their mutual aversion impelled them from their seats, and amidst the most violeot excitement each side moved towards the other, but the tables intervening, a collision was avoided. They gesticulated, shook their fists, and wagged their fingers at each other across the table, shouted out their vindictiveness, the corridors and lobbies resoundiug with acclamations and clapping of bands. Charges of the grossest description appeared to be levelled across the table from both sides, but amidst the noise and confusion it was utterly impossible for (he reporters to catch a single sentence thai; was uttered. In vain did Mr Speaker endeavor to restore order. His voice was completely lost in the general hubbub, which lasted for some minutes. The galleries were crowded, the lobbies were thronged, but although there was great excitement, everywhere, the disorder was entirely confined to the floor of the House., When the noise had partially subsided, Mr Speaker was heard to say that the time had arrived wheo, by a sessional order, the business of the sitting must be concluded. Mr. Robertson shouted, "He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day." Quiet was at last restored, and the busiuess proper for the day was called on. The questions were postponed, as Ministers, baviDg been in the House all day, had been unable to procure the necessary answers. The formal business was transacted, and then Mr Farnell gave notice of another motion of Want oi Confidence, in precisely the came terms as that of Mr Fuzpatrick's, which has lapsed, for Wednesday next. So there is a probability that next week we shall have a repetition of the farce that has been enacted this week.