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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4496, 17 August 1875, Page 2

The Opposition appear to be spreading reports which are certain not to be verified by results. Thus, the Napier Telegraph of yesterday writes (as we learn by telegram):—“ From private letters from ‘Wellington by the Kiwi, we learn that the Opposition have secured sufficient members to vote against the passing of the Abolition of Provinces Bill this session. It is not even, certain the Government measures will reach a second reading. Up to the present time this has been deemed a matter of course. If the Government are defeated they will appeal to the country; but the more constitutional course if the Pollen Government is defeated is to send for the leader of the Opposition.” The Telegraph also says that the second reading of the Abolition Bill is certain to go against the Government. This ia counting chickens before they are hatched. The Government are certain of a large majority on the second reading of their Bills; the only conflict of opinion will be on the details of their measures, and especially those involving the distribution of revenue.

“Why this,” says Cassio, “is a more exquisite song than the other.” And so may we, after reading the last effort of the Wellington correspondent to the Otago Daily Times. Telegraphing on Wednesday last, this gentleman said : “ To-night the debate is not likely to be very important. It will include Messrs. O’Conor, McGillxvray, Cuthbertson, Bunny, and a few others. The latter will show by tables that the Wellington road boards will get less under the abolition proposals than they now receive.” There is an air of calm assertion about the above prediction which, wheu contrasted with its utter failure, shows a selfconfidence utterly impervious to the esteem of others. There are some people whose ponderous egotism is quite impenetrable by tho contempt of their fellows. So thick is their garment of clumsy vanity that they resemble nothing so much as conceited crocodiles. The correspondent under notice must bo one of these. Who he actually is we are ignorant, and we respect the anonymity of tho Press too much to inquire. We are quite content to judge him by his utterances, and hitherto that judgment has not been favorable. Neither can it become so in the last instance. As a matter of fact, not one of tho gentlemen he named has as yet spoken on the abolition question. And yet he coolly named them all for Wednesday night last. Curiously, too, iu Mr. Bunny 1 s case he gave some of tho speech that gentleman was to deliver, and also curiously that answered the description of a portion of Mr; Bunny’s speech at the Wairarapa. It is unnecessary to add that we do not identify Mr. Bunny with the correspondent, and conjecturo that at the last moment he said for his constituents what he had intended to say in the

House, i It is more likely that as clever men will use tools of all kinds, Mr. Bunny has found some occasion for the correspondent, and utilised him after a fashion. If so, he suffers the penalty. . , '

In the House of Representatives to-day Mr. Murray is to ask the Minister for Public Works, if he will furnish particulars of the arrangement stated by him to have been made between the Government and the Town Council of Milton, relative, to the approach to the Milton railway station ; and if he will lay any papers connected therewith on the table?—Mr. Ballance is to ask the Minister of Justice, whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce, during next session, a Bill to consolidate the _ various Acta relating to Municipal Corporations ? Also, to ask the Minister for Public Works, what is the cause of delay in calling for tenders for the Marton section of the Wanganui-Manawatu railway ?—Mr. Steward is to ask the Minister for Public Works, whether it is intended that the bridge to be constructed over the Maerewhenua River at the terminus of the Awamoki branch railway shall be a railway and road bridge, or a railway bridge only ; whether the plans have been prepared j and when it is intended to commence the work ?

In the House of Representatives to-day Mr. Rolleston is to move for copies of any instructions or. credentials given to Mr. Thomas Russell, as representing or acting for the Colonial Government. Also, that there be laid on the table a return showing in detail' all the payments, allowances, or gratuities made or authorised to be made to any agent or agents or representatives of the Colonial Government, on account of services rendered outside the colony since the 80th June, 187-1, specifying the services on account of which such expenditure has been made or authorised.