Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 207, 31 August 1881, Page 2

In the Council on Friday a select committee was appointed to consider a question of privilege arising out of the honoraria paid to two members of the "Lords" last session. From what can be gathered in the lobbies, it appears that Mr. Reeves guaranteed to two members of that distinguished body (the Hons. Campbell and Wood) that they would get £150 for the session. They were afraid that the amount would be reduced, and an arrangement was entered into between them and Mr Reeves that if they did not receive £150 he would make good the deficiency, while, on the other hand, if they received more they were to hand him the surplus. It so happened that the amount received was £190, and one member loyally stuck to his bargin, and sent Mr. Reeves £40. The other member didn't. On Thursday night Air. Brown asked Mr. Reeves if he had received the amounts due to him on account of the transaction, and he said he had been paid £40 by one member. As this was said in the presence of several persons, the affair " got wind," and, coming to the ears of Mr. Waterhouse, he yesterday succeeded in getting a committee appointed to enquire into the circumstances of the case. Later on a message was received by the Lower . House from the Legislative Council calling upon Mr. Reeves and Mr. Brown to give evidence before the committee. It is ex-' pected some nice little revelations will be made. The committee sat to-day to take evidence.— Post

In speaking on the Representation Bill; one of the Maori members (Mr.Mohi Tawhai) is reported to have said in his speech : — Now I will ask you who sit here in this House, as well as all the officers in the Government service, >hy are you so assiduous in your duties ? Why, because you are paid to do your work. If your pay ceased, I am bound to say you would all clear out and forsake your posts. It is the money that keeps you: " Yes," he said sorrowfully, pressing his hand to his forehead, " I know the pedigree *ell. Headache by Intoxication, out of Mixed Spirits, grand dam Severe Thirst. A New York paper has the following editorial note after a glowing account of the bursting of a cannon :— "N B, Our reporter whose arm was blowm off by part of the breech, was fortunately on the spot when the melancholy occurence took place, otherwise we should not have been in a position to print such an accurate account of the accident." -■■-.-..._

The settlers around the shores of the Wairarapa Lakes are said to be much annoyed by the loss occasioned to their crops by the browsing thereupon of extraordinary numbers of black swans. During the past three weeks, a fisherman at the lakes has gathered nearly 50 dozen swan eggs from amongst the reeds upon the shores, which he has taken to Masterton, where lie is selling them at 4s per dozen.