The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1877.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 184, 6 August 1877, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1877.

Oor Parliamentary telegrams of Saturday informed us that Mr Rees' motion re the Waka Maori was likely to be accepted by the Governmeut as a want of confidence motion, but the message ended rather abruptly, and left us in doubt as to what had really occurred, or was about to take place. We have since been placed in possession of the facts, which are as follows:— For some time a Maori newspaper known a3 the Waka Maori has been published under the authority of the Government on the East Coast, and has obtained a large circulation 'among the natives. Last year the practice of the Government publishing a paper was condemned by the House, which expressed a wish that the Government support of it should not continue. In compliance with this expression of opinion the publication was about to cease when the Government received a petition signed by a very large number of Maoris and others praying that it might be continued. To this they acceded, and a short time ago an article appeared iu ifc containing au alleged libel upon Mr Russell, who thereupon commenced an action for damages. The expenses of the defence are being borne by the Government. Last Thursday iMr Rees brought forward a motion, which has alreadv appeared iu our telegrams, condemnatory o'f the action taken by the Government in the matter, aut, in moving it, he said that " although the motion was a perfectly direct one iii respect of its wordiug, the subject matter wifch which it dealt waa not of sufficient importance for Government to accept ifc as a Ministerial question, and he (the speaker) wished it to be most distinctly understood he had no desire to present it to thani in that light." The debate upon the niotiou was adjourned, and on Friday night on the Treasurer moving that the House go into Committee of Supply, Sir G. Grey, the leader of the Opposition, objected to the business being proceeded with while a practical vote of censure was pending against the Government. The question before the House being that they should go into Committee of Supply, Mr Woolcock thought that it was a favorable opportunity .of letting off a speech on the incidence of taxation, and this, as might be expected, speedily emptied the House, notwithstanding which he went on speaking until 1030, the hour for adjournment. On the House resuming, the Premier referred to what had taken place, and called upon Sir George Grey to declare positively whether he regarded the motion as one of •• no confidenc," as if so the Government were prepared to fight it out. Sir. . George sat still with his hat over his eyes, aud did not vouchsafe a reply, but a number of his followers, as also supporters of the Government spoke until 12.30 when the House adjourned. We understand that it is probable that out of this a motion of no confidence may issue, a meeting of those in Opposition having been eallcd for to-morrow morning to decide upon the course to be pursued. Ifc is not likely, however that anything serious will result unless another leader is chosen, and rumour says that overtures have again been made to Mr Fitzherber fc, who has taken a week to consider. At present there is no party whatever, either on one side or the other, and nothing perhaps could better illustrate the state of affairs than the fact that a member who wanted to get away for two or three days, on applying to the whips, was told that as matters stood this was impossible, as there was no knowing how the votes would go. We shall look forward to the report of tomorrow night's sitting of the House wifch I some interest. j

We understand that the port extension of the railway is to be sixteen feefc iu width with a stone sea wall. Between it and the road a hollow will be left, varying in width, as the distance from the inside of the road to the outside of the railway will in some places hoover 100 feet, and in others much less,

but fn no part v wilUt be less ..that 66 feet, . thas giving a width of; 50 feet to the roadA The railway is estimated to cost £18,000. We have receive^ a 'letter from Messrs T. Harley ahd Waters-; relative to the adjournment of the Council on Friday night, bui it spmetohahd too Jatefor insertion in to-day V issue. '■*" s " "' 1; The miserable weather has sadly interfered with the enjoyment of those who were looking forward to spending a pleasant holiday to-day, as none but those who were obliged to do so would, venture outside on such a day. The special trainsLdid not run as advertised, and the' Qrdiaarj* time table : has been adhered to. A bazaar was held in Wellington last . week in aid of St. Peter's Church, when the takings amounted to £850. The most valuable prize in life's lottery is Health "How small we obtain it," cry the rheumatic, the bilious, the dyspeptic, the nervous, the weak, the dispirited. We answer— by using the remedy of all others best calculated to depusate the system through- the kidneys,to stimulate the liver, to restore digestion, \ tranquili ze the nervous system, apd cheer the mind: -What is this wonderous resfco-ative?'*.. We reply Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Abokatio Schnapps. — Ady t.