WELLINGTON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 211, 12 August 1862, Page 5

WELLINGTON

FORMATION

OF A

(PftOM OUB OWN COnUESPOXDENT.)

RESIGNATION OF THE FOX

■MINISTRY.

MR. STAFFORD SENT FOR!

MR. FITZGERALD SENT FOR!

MR. DOMETT SENT FOR ! ! !

SOUTHERN" ISLAND MINISTRY!!! !

Wellington, 4th August, 18G2,

You have doubtless been so long without Wellington news, 1 hat now it reaches you, you may be excused allowiug mo to give yon half-a-dozen " sensation » headings. What is one man's meat is another man's poison, and while your correspondent is heaping dust on his head and clothing-himself, in. sackcloth, because of the establishment of an almost purely Southern Ministry, your readers will be ready to break forth into the exultant strains of a Te Deitm The new Ministry is this morning reported to be formed, and consists of Messrs. Domett, Bell, Mantel!, and Gillies, who occupy respectively the posts of Colonial Secretary, Treasurer and Native Minister, Postmaster-Gaueral, and AttorneyGeneral. Messrs. Russell and James Williamson, of Auckland, are reported to have seats without office. Mr. Bell is to be relieved of Treasury duties as soon as possible ; and Mr. Gillies only holds office until some one else can step into bis shoes,—he doing, what I said in mv last J was sure-he would do": not allow a Ministry to full to the ground fur want of an Attorney-General As Mr. Domett is trying hard to get'some one bold enough "to face the accounts" piobablv there may be an addition or change of some sort oefore the House meets to-morrow—all which I trust to be able to add in a postscript, as the YV onga, not being in, will probably not sail until ! to-morrow evening or-Wednesday "morning. But i I must " hark back " to the* date of my last letter. .

■"When T sent away my last tetter on the 20th .July,*-urn Lyttdton, neither 1 nor anyone else was prepared lor the occurrences that h.ivc taken p!:ice. The resolution tabled by Ministers, with reference to the i'utnre responsibility of the Ministry on Native a/lairs, was so closely identical with; the resolution passed .by the' House without a division 1-isi. session, that It was deemed by many that the House could not possibly.stultify itself by the rejection of the ministerial proposal"; and as on all sides there was an evident disposition not to try to oust, the Ministry, just yet at all events, it was generally supposed that the "previous question" would bo moved by Mr, Pox's supporters, and so aflbrd a loophole for retreat, if there was a possibility of the House negativing the proposal before them. Indeed, I am told that jit a meeting of Mr. Fox's supporters on Monday morning (-28 th) Mr. Saunders was entrusted with the discretion of doing so, if it should be deemed advisable. The tone of the debate on Monday was, however, ,of a character to convince Ministers that the cardinal points ef their Native policy would meet with a formidable opposition, and they determined to malte the question then pending' the issue on which they would stand or fall. Mr. Saunders did not consequently move the "previous question," but Mr. Curtis did so on the part of the Opposition, to the surprise of most members, just as the debate was drawing to a close. Mr/Weld was the only member who availed himself of the power thus given to speak a second time. He rose about 10 o'clock, and though bis speech was not very lon# it was considered effective, and at half-past 11 the division took place—Ayes and Noes equal (2-2), the Speaker giving his casting vote in favor of the Noes. Stress has been laid on the fact of the Treasurer giving notice, before the Jlouse broke up, that he should bring on the Budget next day, as proof positive that the Ministry had then no intention of resigning ; but it was simply done as a matter of course, and before midnight all the Ministry had resigned. Sent into power by the historically famous New Zealand majority of One, they went out on a tie—a course other than which they could not have adopted without placing themselves ma most humiliating position, and being liable not only to have their own measures emasculated or altered, so that they would scarcely know them, but to have those from the other side foiced through the House against their will.

People do not understand here, by what process the " previous question''affects the case, or rather I should say, perhaps, that they did not .without a considerable amount of explanation. Very likely many of your readers may be in the same state of fog ; so that I may be doing good service if I try" to blow it away. The Speaker put the " previous question" in this way :—"The question before the House-is. that the* previous question (the resolution of Mr. Pox) be now put —those in favor say aye, or.the contrary, no." Iftht! ayes had had it, Mr. Fox's resolution would then have been put; but as the noes had It, there was an end of the matter; the' House could not go to a division on that resolution—and so it neither affirmed nor negatived, but simply shelved, and can be brought on again, if thought desirable anytime during the present Session. The House having thus decided that the Ministerial resolution should not be put, remitted Ministers to the resolution of last Session; which being in substance the same as the one just shelved, (not negatived) they do in reality stand in precisely the same position, so far as the question of responsibility on Native matters, is concerned, as if the resolution of Mr. Fox had been carried. The House affirmed the question in ISGI, and directed Ministers to obtain Sir George Grey's consent to share the Government of the Natives on nil "ordinary mitters with the Ministry ;.not having negatived Mr. Fox's resolution (couched in almost identical words) as their guide for the future, ministerial responsibility is in as full force at this moment as if the Fox Ministry had not been defeated—as if their resolution had been triumphantly carried. lean only suppose that it will not be allowed to remain so, and that the House will, in no many words, direct the new Ministry not to advise Sir George Grey on Native matters, but allow him to do as he pleases.

The country has been so long desirous of preventing native aflkirs being continued in I rresponsible handy; and the resolutions of last session, transferring them into the hands of responsible Ministers, was so heartily acceded to, that the question naturally arises why the House refuses to receive now what they once regarded as a boon. The answer is not to be found in tht late debate. Words were made, according to a well-known sentiment, to conceal, not to express thought. From the speeches, your readers would be led to believe that it was because, as Mr. Gillies says, "We have a man of consummate ability in Sir George Grey, and should not throw any obstacles in. the way of his policy;" in other words, because they have such full and complete confidence in His Excellency, that they think it best that he should exercise a Dictatorship in Native affairs. But, it is no such thing. That doctrine will do for the public; but Mr. Gillies, and others who say ditto, do not thereby really express their thoughts,— they only conceal them. While they think Sir George Grey a first-rate man for the Natives, they believe him to be a most wily man, and fear that, if the Ministry ore allowed to advise him on Native matters, he will eventually let the colony * This letter has not; yet reached us.

into tlie bucket for the whole or the greater partol the cost of future government of Natives; and any war that may arise. It is want of confidence in Sir George Grey, not Over-confidence, that Icaris them to desire that there sJiall be no Ministerial responsibility on Native questions. While they profess to oner him what funds he pleases, to be spent as ho pleases, no one expects that they will introduce a Bill empowering His Excellency to (■raw from the Treasury whatever amount he wants, and allow his simple receipt to be sufficient proof of expenditure, Such a thing would be looked upon as absurd; and yet, if he is to be Dictator,—if he is to govern the Natives as he pleases,—if he is to have whatever money he requires, and discussion on Native matters is to be excluded from the House, such a Bill seems an absolute necessity. However, as, despite all that the late Opposition members may have said, it is not at all likely either that Native questions will be. ignored, or that the House will vote money for Native purposes blindfold, there is no necessity for pursuing the Native subject further. 1 have thought it only lhy duty to put the matter before your readers as comprehensively as I well could, in the limited space allotted to me, and have done so, I think, legitin utely and fairly. Another question may be fairly asked, and i fc is this-:—Was not the Opposition fully aware of Sir George Grey's character last year, quite as much as they are now ? If they had no distrust, then, why should they have any now ? I refer your readers to the speech of His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington, in which the whole anatomy is laid bare.^ When it was announced last session that Sir George Grey was ro.-appointed. there Trere grave suspicions entertained that he would not knuckle under to a Ministry in anything—that his first act would probably be a suspension of the Constitution ; and so to guard against such a calamity, the LIO,OCO voted for the introduction of any policy he might devise, was exprr^sly voted to be spent by ".the Governor in Council;*" and in ordt-r further to prevent a suspension oi the Constitution, Mr. Ball's iv.-oluti<.r:s(uffinmn" the necessity for "a thor,;i!g}i and radical cliange" tho Native-department, and the necessity ior placing all ordinary Native ufV.m'4 itfthe hands of a responsible Min'j>£ry.) wore nivjwl, if not unanimously, at any rate inn con. ' Aml further, the House declared Hint tin; cbtinures for the | present session must be f-.i:n»il on t',a as sumpj tion of' Ministeria- responsibility. Ministers, us j Mr. Stafford said, were bound to h;\e acted on j Ministerial responsibility in the- j..«st; and I suppose that as Sir George Grey lii.s shown no disposition to assume a dictator", hip. there is a fear now felt iv the contrary ii;\ .:tion, that instead of assuming all tho rc-'pc-- if>'><tv, ho will put it on the Ministry-; a respon- ility," which as I have before indicated, is icg.ir.i .1 as implying a heavy contribution towards the ;;ionses of the future. My own opinion can ;- ibr nothing; b::t I think all Bir. George Gi" s antecedents militate against such an assump ~ I think he will continue to do the Lest f.-.r ■ .c colonists, as he has always done, notwifh- aiding he has thereby received stinging eens-:res from the Colonial Oiiice, as witness Sir ].. L Bulwc's I despatch, recalling His Kw.-lk.-c/ irom the I Cape. When the Fox Ministry resigned, they recommended His Excellency to' send i\nMr. Staflord,' in profcreuco to Mr. Curtis, the mover of the previous question.'.'Mr. Fox explained -.that lie did so because Mr. Stailbrd was the recognised leadi-r of the opposition, he thought such js, course more likely to conduce to a speedy resumption of business.* Mr Stafford, at the intervie.w with the Governor, on Tuesday (29th), morning, declined the tusk ibr reasons which'havenot yet transpired, but which are said to have been the probability of his return to power being prejudicial to native interests. He, however, recommended Mr. Fitzgerald as a member friendly with both sides of the House, and from his long absence, not mixed up with party animosities! Mr. Fitzgerald was sent for the same (Tuesday) afternoon, and declined accepting office himself, but consented to act as a "go-between." He first proposed omitting all the big guns and forming it Cabinet of little men, who might drift over the ; session, or such part of it as was necessary to ; give time to the big gtms to consolidate parties— for the House is at present in a state of perfect anarchy. The formation of a "warming-pan" Ministry met with the most decided disapproval from all sides—l «ay all sides, not both sides, for I cannot tell you how many sides there are just now, almost as many as' there are benches. Abandoning the idea of the "warming pan," Mr Fitzgerald then endeavored to do "."the other thing," but was in a fur worse position than reynard. who had lost his tail, for unlike that animal he could not appeal to his own stump in support of hi.s arguments. Not consenting to accept ofilec himself, his efforts to. induce others proved fruitless, and on Wednesday morning (30th) b.e gave it up as a bad job. Iv a former letter I explained why Mr. Fitzgerald refuses to takt: oiflce—ill health and " press" engagements at Canterbury.- Had ho desired, it, I hear the Colonial Secretaryship in the Fox Ministry had been at his dispo.-al for a fortnight previously, Mr. Fox confining himself to the duties of the Native Ministry. The Governor now requested the assistance of Mr. Domett, who..being an old oifietr of his (many years Civil Secretary at Wellington) could "not well refuse the commands of his former chief; though, as he told tho House on Friday, it was only at Sir George Grey's " strong request" that" he consented to act. The best part of Wednesday and Thursday, the new " Cabinet-maker" worked hard, but, on putting his work together, found that, so far, he could not lay claim to being ever, a tolerable carpenter. He was no joiuer,—his work wouldn't fit, —it all fell to pieces; and in despair he went to the old shop for help, with the hope of getting a ready-made article, instead of undergoing all the bother and trouble of making one. The eminent firm of Fox, Wood, Ward and Co. were most bland,— very willing to supply him with their best, provided he would put his name at the back of sundry "little bits of stiff" they had proposed getting the House to place at once to the credit of their account; —nay, they t-vea offered to take him into partnership, well knowing that lie- could introduce a fair share of capital, of which they were much in want. But, when tho price of the proposal partnership was, that Mr. JJomett was to be the Premier,—that, instead of tie style of the firm being Fox, Wood, War J, Domett and Co., nothing less than Domett, Fo:<, Wood, Ward and Co. would satisfy the 'man. of capif-il, business was declined, even at the risk of ifieir establishment going all to smash by the seising up of an opposition shop. Thrown once n:--.'C on his own resources, Mr. Domett has succeed: i, it is said, in ' forming the Cabinet mentioned at i'.ie commencei ment, but to which ever}' effort is ;>eing made to add a presentable Treasurer to-morrow's meeting of the House.

Not to be wearisome, I must oul; briefly notice | n few of many points marked in my note book. Mr. Dick's question relative to hie closer communication of the South Island ar«<! the Government, has not yet been asked, owing to tlia suspension of business during the interregnum. The Steam Committee have made fi interim report relative to the Panama route,tor which I refer your readers to the Assembly reports. I heard that at first the Committee were altogether at loggerheads on the question of the local Steam Service, that all their meetings once bid fair to end in nothing,and that as a relief they turned to the Panama scheme. Such was the want of unanimity prevailing, that Mr. Domett, who i* the chairman, being resolved that they should be unanimous about something, no matter what, put the question : " That in the opinion of this Committee, A, B, C, are the three first letters of the Alphabet," to which, after some discussion, the Committee did actually respond unanimously. A report will be presented to-morrow in which they concluded: (1.) That there should be three inter-colonial lines, one to each extremity, and one to Cook's Strait. (2.) That there should be communication between the principal Provinces four times a month, if not costing more than £20,000; and (3.) That the colony should pay for all. The inter-Provincial route, how the steamers are to make their rounds, .'they cannot definitely determine. If a committee consisting of a representative from each province cannot decide upon a " satisfactory" plan—indeed cannot decide upon any, I fear that if the inter-Pro-vincial service costs more than is anticipated, and has to be cut down, Mr. Mantell's efforts will prove as great a source of complaint to some of

the Provinces as Mr. Ward's did—though" if Wellington only gets as well served by Mr. Mantel! as she was hy Mr. Ward. "I for one," (as every member who rises to the House so frequently says) shall be very well satisfied.! iJiree more nominations have been made to the Upper House, one of which is Andrew Buchanan, *>]sq., of your Province—the other two being residents of Christcliurch. Major Dwyer, commanding the garrison here, has been appointed acting Private Secretary, until the arrival of Captain Bulkeley and lady. You have heard of the Frenchman who wrote that the English nation had such a profound regard for their Parliament, that when it was sitting, crimes were almost unknown; and, he might have added, that extraordinary cabbages, wonderful gooseberries, and lusus natures, were unknown also during that self-same period. A similar effect may also be said to take place here during the sitting of oun. (small-caps, please) Parliament; for, from one end of my tetter to the other, you will find nothing but Assembly talk ; and] really, one's attention is so taken up" with debates' and Cabinet making, that there is little to devote to ordinary affairs. By-t he-bye, that phrase, "ordinary affairs" recalls the almost .similar one of " ordinary native ufliiirs," so constantly in use since the last debate, and that, puts me in mind to say, that among the half hundredweight of " papers laid before both Houses," which Captain Campbell has obligingly given into my care for your special edification, and which, to the great increase of the revenue, and the reduction of "your ! profits, I have forwarded by post. Amongst these you will fiad the particulars of the inquest on Unukawa, the native killed at Wanganui reoontly, and which, being news, you may like to print at an early date. Some of the relatives are coming in to Wanganui, or, rather, were to have corn.; in last week, and very likely did, but not having heard, cannot say, with a view to see Mr. Lister, who is still at the hospital, and, after satisfying themselves by a personal conversation with him of the delinquency of the deceased, will .shake bar. Is to signify that the matter is ended. Some of the- Ngatiapa's have stated, that as they have behave-.l so wi-11, perhaps a little acknowledgment in the shape of, say £200, would not be amis;;. Tliis is told me as a fact, but I think it looks more like " an invention of the enenw." There is to be a grand feast at Otaki this month to celebrate the turning over from the king of a powerful section of that party. The Governor is t) he there. More anon. "I prefer being wise after the- event.

As I have the best p-xrt of a pags blank, I may fill it up, perhaps, by directing y:uir attention to the Fox Ministry having be?u ousted by Southern men, not by Northern. V >ur Southerners feel th>.'ir ii'.compc-ter.cy to govern the native race?, but the Xorihc-rnors know how valuable a boon it wonl.l have been heretofore, and will be ag.un. The votes divided into Northern and Southern" Islands stand thus :— I'ux. Opposition. Northern 18 n Southern 4 li • 22 "22 Casting vote by a Southerner. I think we Northerners have a right to feel injured at the conduct of the Southerners. They .supported t'.io war Ministry, and now they oust the peace Ministry. I can scarcely think they would do so if they were expnsud to the san/c consequences. I can scarcely think that Major Richardson would sit on the opposite side to his foliow Superintendents of Wellington and Auckland, if he knew that a war, such as he encourages, would reduce his Province to beggary, as' Governor Browne (an unp.ejudiced witness), confesses it must reduce every Province in Ibis Island. I think he would breathe k-.«3 warlike; circumstances would alter cases. Uut I have filled up my paper, so I stop at once.

7th August, ISG2. The Wonjra Laving been delayed, I am enabled to "reportprogress" up to last night, and witfi your leave will not "sic again" until the sailing of the Queen, en the 13th. On Tuesday, Mr. Domett announced the formation of the New Ministry. It was as follows :— Mr. Domett Colonial Secretary. Mr. D. Bell Na-ivo Minister. Mr.MAXTSLL Postmaster General and Commissioner of Crown Lands. Mr. Gil!.tk3 Attorney-General. Mr. T. Russell, and) Seats in the Executivf Mr. Taschki* J without office. All Southern |men, except Mr. Russell, who stands for Aucklaud. The treasun>rship was not filled up last night, and the difficulty of getting anyone willing to " face the account*," is very great. JVhat is the ultimate shape which the Ministry will assume, no one can toll, as confessedly Mr. Muntell an 1 Mr, Gillies only hold office temporarily ; the latter declaring positively that he must be relieveJ by the end of the mouth. Some suppo.se that Mr. Whittaker will accept the office ; some suppaso that Mr. Richmond may fill the gap ; while others think that Air. Sowcll will be ultimately chosen. The friends of each of the three parties deny the soft impeachment, and so we all quietly wait. The treasurc-tslup has b-.-en koi»t open for Mr. Wood, and it ha- been coufilently averted that he will take it " Lihoa" ; but that gentleman is very indignant at the supposition, and .so in this caw, sis in that of the Attorney-Gene-ralship, we can do nothing but wait patiently." Ytsterday t!u» New Ministry were sworn in, and they occupied the Government '.Benches last nHit for the first time. Mr. Domett at first occupied the post of honor, but as-soon as there were two or three important decisions to )>i arrived at, and expressed to the House, he changed placed with Mr. Ball, whom, I suppose, I may call " the chief speaker" of the Ministry. As to the stability of the Ministry, ! opi ions are very much decided. As the Stafford party could not, or would not form a Ministry, it is reckoned that they will keep the " makeshift"" Ministry in until they are in a position to do so. On the other hand, as the House has only got a change ot men and not of measures, the members of the Ri-chardson-Wilson school are highly indignant; and it is felt that any day the Ministry may be beaten, when least expected. You will hoc reported a litttle bit of friendly banter that took place on Monday. Jtis generally believed that Mr. Domett was employed during the first twenty-four hours after receiving the Governor's commantis, in trying what he could do with tho Stafford party, and that on failing there he then went to Mr. Fox. Mr. Domett led the House to believe that such was not the fact, that his first '• effort was with Mr. Fox. though if such was the case people want to know why he let twenty-four hours elapse- first. Of course, the House fully believes what Mr. Domett says—otherwise it would be guilty of i most unparliamentary conduct; and if I were to repeat the expletives I have heard some rather blunt • members make use of, I am sure you would not print | them, but would favor your readers either with a frw | stars thus * • *, or else with a host of dashes! in this style, — — —; basides which I midit come under Mr. Speaker's lash, and though he is a very courteous kind of gentleman when courtesy is required, I fancy he would have no hesitation in laying it on pretty thick when duty demanded it. The Ministerial policy was to'be stated to-day, but j is put off till to-morrow. It is generally believed tjat it will be exactly identical with that of the Fox Ministry in everything relating to Native affairs— indeed it cannot be otherwise with Mr. Bell for a Minister, for did he not last week assure the House that it was only a ideasaiit fiction to suppose that any other mind than that of Sir George Grey, would ever preside in the carrying out of a Native policy, so long as he (Sir G. Grey) was in the country. I recollect seeing some time since a cartoon in Punch which any local 11. B. might gain great reputation by cleverly adapting to present circumstances. It was styled '•Our Cabinet Maker," and represented Mr. Punch sitting at his table with all the surroundings of a well to do overseer of worka. Pam with the well known square paper cap, tucked up apron, and basket of tools over the shoulder, stands evidently in great doubt as to whether he is to stay or go, apparently havinar had some little difference of opinion as to the conditions on which he is to be employed, if employed at all. Substituting Sir George Grey for Mr.Punch, ,(oh ye gods !) and Mr. Domett for Lord Palmerston (oh ye gods and goddesses), the conditions of bebg taken on permanently will be exactly applicable. Govebsor—Well Domett, of course I shall keep you on ; but mind I must insist on your sticking to Peace Work.

If Mr. Fox's Ministry was a Ministry of Peace, bo is Mr. Domett's to he." If Mr. Fox's Ministry was heartily concurrent in carrying out Sir George Grey's policy, so will Mr. Domett's he. It would be uniair in me, and not in accordance with that exact balance holding which I strive to maintain. & I were- not to say that Mr. Uuasell of Auckland is an extreme war man. Hia Native policy so lately as last week was a very short one,_ and as intelligible as short; it was summed up in six words "Hand them over to General Cameron," tat like Lord Palmereton (I beg pardon), like Mr. Domett I suppose the conditions of Mr. BusselTs engagement is "Peace work" too. However,

to-morrow we shall have.a full exposition, and then your readers will be better able to judge for themselves. J

The declaration of policy was to have been made today, but was postponed uutil to-morrow for a very remarkable reason. Yesterday a despatch was received from the Duke of Newcastle, confirming some of Sir George Grey's arrangements, but insisting on the colony paying past militia and other accounts —I scarcely like to say how much, as the despatch is not yet from the printers, bnfc I will send it by this mail. The Ministry want to adapt their policy to this despatch, and proposed a series of resolutions j on " Native responsibility" for discussion to-night - | so that the Ministerial "policy to be announced tomorrow, is to be adapted to the result of the discussion, not formed independently on the merits of the question itself. Having only heard the resolutions and despatch read last night, I a?n not in a position to comment on them; if I did so I might possibly lead your readers astray. Mr. Fitzgerald brought forward his resolutions la?t night in a speech which I can only characterize as the speech of the session. It was a piece of masterly oratory, and will ba spoilt if not reported verbatim. It will read as well twenty years hence as now, and that is praise so high, that I am afraid you will say that the speech has let my enthusiasm overpower my judgment. It may read very differently in Southern ears to what it does to us Northeners ; who, looking to the ruin of Taranaki, and feeline that it may be ours if a war policy prevails, respond heru-tily to Mr. Fitzgerald's quotation— " In the hands of men entirely great, The pen Ls mightier than the sword. Take away tue sword, — States may be saved without it" Mr. Bell followed with a long speech, which amounted toanenti re adoytionoftheresolutions, though not of the arguments which supported them. Ministers ho said would advise the Governor to adopt them, ihou^h the time for carrying them into execution must bo left to the Governor. At midnight the debate was adjourned, after Mr. Moorhouse had made one of those crude speeches for which, on Nstive affairs, he is so remarkable. Major Richardson is to iuo' c an amendment. Mr. Fitzgerald's resolutions are as follows:— " 1. That, in liie adoption of any policy or the passing of any laws affecting the Native race, this House will keep before it as its highest object, the entire aunlgiuaatiou of all Her Majesty's subjects in New Zealand into one united people. "2, That this Hou.se will assent to no laws which do not recognise the ri^ht of all Her Majesty's subjects of whatever race within this Colony, to a full and equal enjoyment of civil and political privileges. "3. That a recognition of tli« foregoing principle will necessitate the persona! aid of one or more Native Chiefs in the adznisiistmtiou of the Government of the Colony ; tiie presence of members of the Maori nobility iii the Legislative Council, aud a fair representation in this House, of a race which constitutes one thtnl of the population of the Colony. *' 4. That thesarue principle ought to berespected in the constitution and jurisdiction of all Legislative bwii;«s subordinate to the Ueheral Assembly, aud of all Courts of law within this Colony. " 5. That a rf«pectful address lie presented to his Excellency the Governor, praying that his Excellency will l>e plf-asxl to cause such steps to ba taken, as he may be advised will liring the policy above indicated into operation with the least practicable delay.'' Considerable merriment was occasioned last night by a speech of Mr. Fix's, relative to game. It is unreportab'e; and over and over again the House wa^ convulsed with laughter, as Mr. Fox invested "bumble bees," aud other similar importations, with a political meaning. One of his best hits was in describing some iriiported geese, quartered in the Government domain—which many people took for swans, they were so fine and large ; though the only reason he could find for that supposition, was because |of their having been specially " sent for ;" the good | people only discovering that they really were not swans when they began to cackle. * The point was so good, and Mr. Domett was so uneasy at it, that the House could not do otherwise than roar with laughter over and over again. The report of the Steam Committee you will re - cpive from your reporter; iv it, I am liappy to say, the principle I hinted at a fortnisht since as likely to be adopted—that of letting " Nunkey pay for all," instead of depending in any measure on Provincial subsidies, has been adopted. The House does not sit until i> this evening, out of respect to Captain Rhodes, one of the members, whose Jidy died on Sunday last, and will be buried this afternoon.