MR. REES, M.H.R., AGAINST TIME.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 133, 23 September 1876, Page 2

MR. REES, M.H.R., AGAINST TIME.

The Wellington correspondent of the Otago Times says that Mr. Rees finished his talk against time soon after one o'clock on Saturday morning. He spoke, without counting adjournments, for twelve hours and forty minutes, and some nine hours between his commencing and concluding were devoted to refreshments. His speech was a model of its kind. There was nothing violent or offensive in it, and he was frequently very witty, taking advantage of every little incident to enliven affairs, and preserving the utmost good humor throughout. Once Mr. Sheehau called the attention of the acting Speaker to the fact that Mr. Sharp was reading a newspaper, in violation of the Standing Orders. The acting Speaker ruled that Mr. Sharp was not oat •of order, and Mr. Sharp laughingly explained that he was studying constitutional law. Mr. Ress expressed himself highly pleased at this, as he knew of no membzr who had more nsed to do so. Again, Mr. Sheeban called attention to the fact of Captain Morris reading a book, and the acting Speaker having given his ruling, Captain Morris said he int n;led to reply to the honorable member, and was getting up his subject. Mr. Rees, in recommencing, observed that he had been very jealous of the honorable member's attention to this book, but was now cjuite satisfied. The honorable member would have lots of time to get up his subject. Then Mr. Rees brought in Professor Hearn's work on the Government of England, but saiel he would not read the whxle of it, as it would unnecessarily occupy time, but he would ask Ministers' attention while he read twenty-nine pages to them, and commented on them several times. When trifling interruptions occurred, Mr. Rees, with admirable gravity, members not to interrupt the continuity of his thought and the thread of his argument. Every now and then, when the House got thin, Mr. Rees wouhi call attention to the state of., the House, and get a rest while the bell was rung to get a <xuo rum together. Members, during the were almost all in their slippers, and wei'e lying about the House sleeving in all sorts of easy positions, some of them ev«n provided themselves "with pillows.