WELLINGTON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 191, 12 August 1881, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(F:oxi our own correspondent.) [By Telegraph.] „. . Thursday 10 p.m. I here is no political gossip stirring to-^ay and no new papers of interest. Only private members business is being dealt with in the House, which presents an aspect of unexampled dulness. Hardly at any time during the day bas a quorum of members been present and the galleries have been almost entirely empty. There ia a complete lull just now while members aro talking over the Representation Bill aud endeavoring to organise sides on the question. So far as present appearances go the Bill ia likely to be carried by the weight of members of the large districts wbich are to have increased representation, but there will ba great fighting in Committee and perhaps many alterations before it ia finally settled. The Auckland members bave not met again since the meeting wbich I mentioned in s former te '- giam. They have been waiting in tbe tope of forming an alliauce with the Weltingtoi, Nelson, and West land members against wbat is deemed the undue preponderance of Canterbury and Otago. Stillas Nelson and TVest-

land go directly against the population basis of representation because they will lose several members by its adoption, while Wellington supports it because it will gain a member in that way, and would not on any other principle, and Auckland accepts the population principle provided the Maoris are included, as 'uiat would encble them to claim increased representation, it is hard to see how any agreement is to be arrived at among such incongruous elements. There is no sign yet of the Billj or of the Railway Construction Bill, but both are Bald to be nearly ready, Members still expect to bring the session to c. close about the first week in September, but I fancy it will not be earlier than the ISth unless these two Bills, both so pregnant with material for debate, pass with unprecedented celerity. The Customs Tariff and Property Tax Amendment Bills are aho expected to furnish food for much discussion, if not obstruction ; however, it is not improbable that members' anxiety to get away and prepare for the coming election may induce them to expedite matters. The Committee on the Church of England Trustß Incorporation Bill report that the I promoters have intimated their deßire to withdraw the Bill. The Committee add the following:—" Application has, however, been made to the Committee to recommend that the Bill be suspended and proceeded with from its present stage at the next session of Parliament, The Committee can find no precedent to guide them in recommending to the House that such a course should be pursued and can only BUggest that leave be given to the promoters to withdraw their Bill." This Day, 2.50 p.m. There is nothing stirring to-day politically. Members seem utterly weary of the session, and strenuous efforts will be made to conclude it by the beginning of next month, The Representation Bill was circulated today, but without the schedules, it therefore conveys no fresh information, simply increasing the number of European members to 91. The schedules and maps are not. expected before Monday. The Succession Duties Bill is also out to-day. It provides the needful machinery for the collection of duties on the estates of deceased persons. There is no duty on property coming to a widow from her deceased husband ; children and grandchildren pay half duty and all others pay the following:— Under £100 nil; up to £1000 2 per cent; one to five thousand 3 per cent; up to ten thousand 4 per cent; ten to fifteen thousand 5 per cent; fifteen to twenty thousand 6 per cent; twenty to thirty thousand 7 per cent; thirty to forty thousand 8 per cent; forty to fifty thousand 9 per cent; £50,000 ten per cent. Opposition to the Bill is again expected in the Legislative Council.