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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5188, 7 November 1877, Page 2

The House of Representatives was in an unusual state of excitement yesterday afternoon. A few minutes after the House met, the no-confidence motion, being the first business on the order paper, was brought up for discussion, but after the usual time had elapsed and no hon. member rising to respond, the Speaker put the question, and declared the noes to have it on the voices. There were cries of “ The ayes have it,” and on the Speaker again proceeding to put the question, Mr. George McLean rose and addressed the House on the Opposition side. He continued to speak for over a quarter of an hour, when, apparently to his surprise, he was ruled out of order by the Speaker, who declared that the debate had closed on his putting the question previously. Mr, McLean sat down, and then Major Atkinson rose and endeavored to put a question to the Speaker, but his voice was completely dr -weed by cries from the Opposition of “ Question” and “ Order.” In vain’ he tried several times to get a hearing, but louder grew the din, and his attempts were ineffectual. Mr, Reid and Mr. Moorliou.se essayed to speak, but they were treated in a similar manner, and • could not make themselves heard. The Government supporters were evidently determined to force the vote, as they were well aware that several members of the Opposition were absent, as it was never anticipated that the vote would be taken that afternoon. However by the continued uproar they were nearly defeating their own object, as even the words of the Speaker could not be distinguished. He was speaking in a loud voice, and from a disjointed word here and there was understood to be expressing himself to the effect that no more discussion would be allowed till the vote had been taken. Time was on tlie side of the Opposition, and messengers were despatched for the absent members. However, Sir. Stout and one or two other Government supporters succeeded in inducing the noisy members of their party to be silent, and allow the vote to be taken. This was done, and the votes being 39 on each side, the Speaker gave his casting vote with the noes,

stating that he acted in accordance with the usual custom. Afterwards Mr.. McLean complained of the Speaker not haying ruled him i out of order when he commenced his address. The Speaker stated that he only allowed him to proceed through indulgence, as he desired to feel perfectly certain on the matter before interrupting , him.; Majpr Atkinson then moved to the effect that the Government should immediately resign, as they had not the confidence of the' House. Objection being taken to Major Atkinson bringing forward tire motion, Mr. - McLean moved the resolution, and in doing so finished the speech he began at the commencement of the proceedings. When he sat down Mr. O’Rorke contended that the motion was out of order, and after considerable discussion had taken place, the Speaker said he desired time to consider the subject, and adjourned the House till half-past seven. At that hour lie ruled that the motion could not be discussed, as it was substantially the same as the no-confidence motion negatived that day. From the above it will be seen that the Grey Ministry have escaped certain defeat by a mere trick. It is understood that a meeting (or caucus as it is called) of the Opposition will be held this day, to consider the action which shall'be taken in the present political position. The City of Wellington Loans Consolidation Act Amendment Bill came on for its third reading in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon. The Hon. Mr. I’harnzyn moved that it should be recommitted “ for the purpose of amending clause 3 as follows, viz.,— To re-insert lines 4 and 5, and in the sixth line to strike out ‘ three thousand pounds,’ and insert ‘ two thousand nine hundred pounds three shillings and tenpenee ’ in lieu thereof.” This however was negatived, and the Bill passed its third reading. During the discussion on the measure, the Hon. Colonel Brett said that Mr. Pharazyn bad characterised the Bill as “ a downright swindle,” but had subsequently withdrawn the expression, saying that he made it under a misapprehension. He (Colonel Brett) did call the Bib a downright swindle, and would not withdraw, or apologise for making use of, the words. The hon. the Speaker here suggested that he did not think any Bill before the Council should be spoken of in such terms, whereupon Colonel Brett was understood to qualify his expression by saying that the Bill was an “apparent swindle,” —very much like a distinction without a difference. The hon. gentleman finished his remarks by moving that the Bill be read again that day six months, which motion however he subsequently withdrew. The. Taranaki Iron Sand Company in a small way claimed the attention of the House last night. There is in the Taranaki County Reserves Bill a clause which Would hand over to the County Council the’ land reserved for the company, and this was objected to by Mr. Stout, who said he knew that many persons who held shares in the company would have had nothing to do with it had they imagined that the land would have been so dealt with. Mr. Travers, however, informed the House that the company would be willing to forego claim to the land provided they were repaid £1250, paid on account of the land already. Ultimately the second reading of the Bill was agreed to, on the understanding that any clause deemed to be objectionable (as this appeared to the minds of some hon. members) might be amended in eopimittee. The Union Steam Ship Company announce that the Hawea will be laid on for an excursion trip round the Southern Island during the Christmas holidays. The Hawea will leave here on December 18, proceeding down the East Coast, and will take her departure from the Bluff for the West Coast Sounds on tlie 23rd. She will remain at Milford Sound forty-eight hours, and then return direct to the Bluff and Port Chalmers, where she is expected to arrive on the 2nd January. The Hawea possesses splendid saloon accommodation, and there is little doubt that those who avail themselves of this opportunity of visiting the magnificent scenery of the west coast of the Middle Island will find the trip a delightful one. The excursionists by the Wanaka last year speak highly of the provision made for their comfort by the Union Company, while, the grandeur of the scenery about the Sounds was something to be remembered for a lifetime. At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday (before H. S. Wardell, Esq., R.M.) Edward Tyler was brought before the Court on remand, charged with uttering a valueless cheque for £l, with intent to defraud Mr. Charles Taffner, the proprietor of the Temperance Hotel, Cuba-'street. The prisoner, it appeared from the evidence, had been lodging at the hotel and owed 95., which he paid by drawing a cheque on the Bank of New South Wales for £l, and receiving lls. change. When the document was presented at the bank it appeared that Tyler had no account there. Several witnesses were called for the defence, who, however, did not at all shake the case for the prosecution, and the Bench found the prisoner guilty, and sentenced him to three months’ hard labor. He was also fully committed for trial on the charge of obtaining goods on false pretences from Mr. Cohen.—Charles Martyr, D. Reardon, and M. Bellows were each fined 55., and T. Loughlin 10s., for breaches of the municipal regulations in allowing their cows to wander about the streets.—William Windmill was charged with driving an express without being duly licensed, but as it appeared he had taken a license out since proceedings were taken the case was withdrawn on payment of costs.— William Roberts, charged with a like offence, was fined ss. and costs.—A man named Wiiliam Foil'd, charged with lunacy, was remanded for medical examination. —On the civil side judgments were given for plaintiffs in the following cases :—D. Bell v. T. George, £5 ; E. W. Mills v. L. Gray, £l3 ; O. W. Clayton v. J. H. Brown, £2 10s. In the case of F. Greer v. C. Hobbs, a claim for £24, damages sustained by a dog belonging to defendant worrying plaintiff's sheep, the Court gave judgment for plaintiffs for £5 and costs, amounting to rather more than that amount. The Theatre Royal Company inaugurated the legitimate drama last night at the Princess Theatre to a good house. To-night they produce “ Behind the Curtain” at the Royal for the last time. The leading prizes consist of a gentleman’s keyless stem-windiug silver watch, a sovereign, a toddy Ic.ttle, and a tea and coffee service, and also innumerable other valuable articles. The Majeroni engagement commences on Saturday, November 10, and it is expected that the Royal will contain a very full house, as tickets are selling very rapidly. Signor and Signora Majeroni and family, with Mr. Gardner, their business manager, arrived by the Hawea yesterday, and are quartered at tlie Empire Hotel. A great treat is iu store for lovers of the drama during the engagement of these renowned artists. St. George’s Hail was largely attended last evening, when Byron’s burlesque of “ Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” and the comedietta “The Day after the Wedding,” were both performed most satisfactorily. The usual number of gifts, were distributed. To-night the present bill of faro will be given for the last time. To-morrow night a strong bill is promised, consisting of the comedy of “James the Fifth,” and the burlesque of “ Giselle, or the Night Dancers.” The committee in the St. George’s Hall Art Union were at work ail day yesterday, and have succeeded iu finishing the greater part of their arduous task. The prizes will bo drawn for this evening on the stage of the hall after the performance of “ Ali Baba.” The proceedings will be entirely under the supervision of the committee, who by their chairman will announce the winning numbers. An excellent photograph representing the members of the House of Representatives in a group, with the Speaker in the centre, has been executed by Messrs. Wrigglesworth and Binns, the well-known photographers of Willisstreet. The likenesses are excellent, and ali who take an interest in politics should have a copy of the work, which is most admirably executed iu all its details, and reflects much credit on the firm by whom it lias been produced. Before the close of the session a very large number of these photographs will no doubt be sold.

A first dividend in the estate of Henry Jolly, of Marton, storekeeper,. will be payable at Mr. T. K. Macdonald’s office on and after the Bth inst. We understand that it is proposed to hold a second day’s sports on Saturday in connection with the Birthday Sports. Should the weather prove fine there is every prospect that they will prove a success. Amongst the passengers from Christchurch by the Hawea yesterday were Signor and Signora Majeroni, the eminent artists, to whose advent we have alluded in previous issues. Tenders are invited, to be addressed to the secretary of the Kaiwarra Local Board at the Toll-house up to the 13th inst., for keeping in repair the Board’s portion of the old Porirua road for the term' of two years. Notice is given that a meeting of the City Council will be held on the 6th December, for the purpose of confirming a resolution adopted on the Ist inst., relative to the making certain by-laws, for regulating the. mode of building within the city. The acceptances for the various events on the Prince of Wales Birthday sports were received last evening at the New Zealander Hotel. Nearly all the competitors have accepted, and therefore some good running may be looked for on that day. A meeting of the creditors of Thomas Upton, of Wellington, builder, was to have been held yesterday morning, but there not being a quorum present the proceedings were adjourned until to-day. The liabilities in the case were set down at £334, and the assets at £SO. A sitting of the Bankruptcy Court was held yesterday morning before- Mr. Justice Richmond. Orders of discharge were granted to Thomas Moore, musical instrument maker, and Albert Zelmau, travelling jeweller. In both cases there was no opposition on the part of the creditors. Information was received yesterday from Wanganui that the storeman in Mr. Levy’s employ, who was charged with being concerned in wilfully setting fire to the premises, was brought before the magistrates that morning, and discharged. His Worship the Mayor forwarded by telegraph to the Lord Mayor of Loudon yesterday £IOOO in aid of the Mansion House Fund for the relief of the sufferers by the Indian Famine. The Mayor also acknowledges the receipt of £75 from Carterton as a contribution to the fund. The Horticultural Exhibition will be open to the public at 2 p.m. to-day. We believe his Excellency and suite will visit the Hall at 2.30. We understand that although the late gale has done some damage to the gardens, the exhibition will be an excellent one, and will doubtless attract a large number of visitors. The Wellington Literary Association held its usual weekly meeting last evening in St. John’s schoolroom. After the election of several new members, a very animated and well-argued debate ensued upon the question, “ Is scepticism more baneful than superstition 1” The subjects for consideration at the next meeting will be essays on “The Dignity of Labor,” “ New Zealand, her Future Prospects,” and “ Health.” Colonel Brett evidently has not a very high opinion of our Empire City. In referring to it in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon, he said :—“ This city, of which every corner is a cesspool, of which every corner is but stink, stink, stink, comes to us and asks us for £7OOO for huildiug offices, and £3OOO tor making streets. Were it not for the tempestuous weather prevailing here every member of this Council might be swept N from off the face of the earth. Go to the top of the Terrace and look at the imposture of this city ; all the front of it is gingerbread, all the rear a mass of filth and dirt;” and a lot more in the same very flattering strain. The following team was chosen last evening to represent Wellington in the forthcoming matches against Wanganui and Marton. Both matches will be played at Wanganui, the first ou the 9th inst., and the second on the following day :—Messrs. Armitage, Blacklock, Edmunds, W. A. Fordhaai, Gascoign, Haughtou, J. Lockett, Ross, Robinson, I. J. Salmon, J. A. Salmon ; emergency, Danks ; scorer, D. Cameron ; umpire, O. Welsh. The team will leave on Thursday by the Stormbird, and are requested to meet on the wharf at half-past 5 o’clock p.m. sharp. All the team are requested to meet on the Cricket Ground this afternoon at 5 o’clock for practice. A correspondent writing from Palmerston North on Thursday last says :—“ There has been a new industry added to Foxton in the opening by Mr. Weaver of a lemonade, amrated water, and cordial manufactory, the want of which has been long felt by consumer’s of those beverages, who have hitherto had to pay a high price for them in consequence of their having to be carried from a distance.—The settlers at the Terrace end, Palmerston North, complain greatly at there not being a railway platform erected for the convenience of residents at that part of the town, where a large number of the inhabitants reside. At present they have to walk a mile or more to the station.—Business is rather dull Just now ou the West Coast, but is expected to become more brisk after the wool season. The weather has been very boisterous, but the recent copious showers of rain have been very beneficial to the growing crops.” Some time ago (says the Poverty Bay Herald) a party of Kawakawa (East Coast) natives had their nerves considerably shaken by a war steamer passing down the coast. While the party, some eight or ten in number, were fishing in a boat at some distance from laud, they noticed a large steamer approaching from the direction of Matakaoa Point (off which she had been at anchor - ), and apparently making straight for them ; on her appoach they discovered her to be a man-of-war, when within a short distance of them they heard the drum beat to quarters, and suddenly the quarter-deck ports flew open, and they observed with dismay the seamen going through all the evolutions of sponging out and loading the guns and running them in and out. The natives were paralysed, expecting every moment to be blown out of the water, to use their words—“ ICa rere o matou wairua Id waho” (our spirits flew out of us). They sat quietly in their seats calmly awaiting their doom, when what was their relief as the noble vessel passed abreast of them, to see an officer spring up into the mizzeu rigging and, politely doffing his cap, sing out in a cheery voice, “ tenakoe.” The natives immediately knew that their fears had been groundless, and with one accord they gave a hearty cheer in response. The man-of-war was H.M.S. Sappho ou her way from Auckland to Wellington, and her men were being exercised at the ordinary big gun drill, which caused the natives such groundless alarm as eke passed them. A disturbance took place in Queen-street, Brisbane, recently which (the Courier states) appears to have been of so serious a character that some of those who took part in it may well be thankful that they are not at the present moment liable to arrest on a charge of manslaughter. It appears from all we can gather, that a party of Volunteers were passing down Queen-street, and when just above the Oxford Hotel were met by some sailors belonging to one of the vessels in port. A sailor made some remark derogatory to one of the Volunteers, and a sergeant of Volunteers who was close by stepped forward and planted a blow of Ids fist between the sailor’s eyes. This conduct was, of course, resented by all of the sailors present, and a general row commenced between the two parties. A great crowd gathered, and the combatants moved down the street to the corner of Edward and Queen-streets. Here they were met by Constable Duffy, who advised the sailors to go to their ship, or he would have to arrest them. Apparently intending to follow his advice, they walked along in the direction of the Post Office ; but the Volunteers and the crowd overtook them at this point, and hostilities were renewed. The constable then endeavored to arrest ouo of the sailors, but the crowd was so great that the two men were thrown down

in the gutter, where, owing to the pushing of those on the outside, they were trampled upon by many of the people. Sergeant O’Driscoll, of the police force, came up at this time, and, having forced his way through the crowd, succeeded in picking up the constable and his prisoner, who was ultimately berthed in the lock-up with great difficulty. Constable Duify was considerably knocked about in the souffle, Sergeant O’Driscoll did not altogether escape injury, and we hear that a civilian who was endeavoring to keep back the crowd received a blow on the head with the butt of a rifle, which caused the blood to flow profusely.