WELLINGTON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 180, 30 July 1881, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(Ffon our own correspondent.) [By Telegraph ] Friday, 10 p m. To day there is & great lull after last eight's storm. Mr Ormond went away by the Rotomahana to Napier, looking weary and crestfallen after his defeat. It seems tolerably certain now that he folly counted on taking with him a large section of the ►Government party, and go being able to dictate his own terms, which, it fa generally supposed, would have included the repeal of his special detestation, the : Property , Tax. However, all his plans have been subverted by the decisive defeat of himself and his new allies, and he has gone home to recover bis equanimity. His reputation as a politician and public man has materially suffered by this fiasco, which he so recklessly brought on himself. Nothing has yet transpired regarding the future plans of the Opposition, but it is said that a caucus will be held " on the quiet " to-morrow to decide npon their farther course of action. It is thought, however, that there will not be much more obstruction in view of the approaching elections, but that both sides will do their utmost to push on the business of the session to a conclusion. There seemi to prevail a feeling in favor of bringing the session to a close by the Ist September at the latest if this can possibly be managed. I gather that the Government, in defiance of the wishes of their party, will drop the Local Government Bills for this year, but a caucus of the Ministerial Bide is to be held to-morrow when Ministers will explain the course proposed to be taken, and ask the cooperation of thsir supporters in carrying it out, which th«re it little doubt will be readily accorded. Tonight is devoted to " jog trot " work, such as the Gamicg and Lotteries Bill, &c. On Tuesday it will be propoßed to taka the debate on the financial statement, that is to say on the general financial policy of the Government as distinct from that on local ficaaces. Great exertions will be used to bring down the Kepresentation Bill next week, and the mapa and schedules are being rapidly pushed on. The -Railways Construction Bill ia now all but ready for introduction. Mr Reid, Solicitor-Genera!, Mr Travers for the Wellington-Manawatu Railway, and Mr Weaton, M.H.R., on behalf of the Canterbury and West Coast line are in daily consultation on the draft of the Bill, and I hear that the last proof ia now undergoing revision. The Premier will most likely deliver the Pub'.ic Work* Statement either on Friday next or on Tuesday week. Parliament will be asked to lit on Mondays after next week in order to expedite the progress of business, and it is expected that morning sittings, to clear off routine business and unopposed matters, will be proposed shortly. Everything is dull as ditchwater today after the recent excitement. No papers are laid on the table, and there is neither news nor gossip stirring. The Public Petitions Committee have reported on the petition of the Fire Insurance Companies for alterations in the Fire Brigade Bill that as the subject has been dealt with by the House the Committee have no recommendation to make. This Day, 3 p.m. A caucus of the Government party was held this morning, 45 members being either present or " accounted for." The meeting wag partly of a congratulatory character, but the chief business was to lay before th« party the proposals of the Government respecting the programme of Parliamentary business for the remainder of the session. It was proposed that the Estimates be brought down early next week, probably on Tuesday, and the Public Works Statement, and Representation of Railways Construction Bills in the course of th« week, and that every \ effort should be used to push on the business as speedily as f.o3sible to a conclusion The proposals of the Government were generally approved, and the support of the party was promised. Nothing is yet definitely decided regarding the Local Government, Hosiital and Charitable Institutions, and other Bills. These are still under the consideration of the Cabinet.