LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 241, 22 October 1879, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The late Government were strongly condemned for the large un.-uithor sed expenditure on Native land purchases. Mr Water- ! house said the present obligations amounted to nearly a million. A Committee was appointed to inquire into the whole matter. (From a correspondent.) Wellington, Tuesday night, j It transpires that while Sir G. Grey passes ' before the flosise in the character of an out- i cast and a martyr for the good of his party, he is, after all, the real leader of bis side of the House. His most conspicuous henchman 1 let the cat out of the bag while discussing the possibility of coalition, when tbe re- j presentative of the Opposition blurted out innocently, " Oh, Sir George will never con- j sent to that." It is Sir George Grey who is the sole hindrance to compromise or coalition because any such arrangement would be his political death kneil. Wellington, Wednesday. Ministers still remain firm and determined to leave no stone unturned to place their Liberal measures on the Statute Book. The pressure on the Auckland members against j Mr Macandrew is rapidly gathering force, and independent members, who are more zealous of measures than men, are wavering, but are prevented from definitely pledging themselves by the sleepless shepherding of Messrs Sheehan, Macandrew, and others, who are fearful that the longer Ministers hold on the more strength they are likely to gain. It was known yesterday that Tomoana had been got at by Mr Sheehan and the other Maori members, the latter of whom were always badgering Tomoana to demand that tbe Maoris and their affairs should be managed by a Maori Minister, and other things equally impossible to grant. It appears that Tomoana gave a written pledge that he would not leave the Ministry till the preeent difficulty was over, but he was got at in the course of the afternoon. It is not quite certain whether the Government have made up their minds to demand a dissolution.

(From another correspondent.) Wellington,. Wednesday. The political deadlock remains the same, the week commencing by the Opposition moving the previous question on the second reading of the Triennial Parliaments Bill which was carried without a division. The question now is whether the Bill is shelved j for this session or whether it can be brought on again at some future day. The members who were returned to Parliament pledged to supported this Bill and other Liberal j measures are beginning to be frightened at the party action they have been drawn in to taking. No one kuows what the termination of affairs will be. The House is meeting day after day, and transacting no business whatever. The four wavering members are Messrs Finn, McCaughan, Allwright, and Colbeck, who have apparently not yet made up their minds to which side they will give their support, although the Opposition claim them as theirs. Mr Shephard is a staunch and warm supporter of Mr Macandrew's Opposition, and is one of the Vigilant Committee appointed by them to watch over events. It is rumoied that he is *.o be elevated to the Upper House as soon as Mr Macandrew gets again into office.