Wellington News.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 228, 5 September 1884, Page 2

Wellington News.

A SINGULAR DILEMMA. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, September 5. A singular difficulty occurred at the first meeting of the Native Affairs Committee of the House of Repiesentatives held yesterday morning. The first question was of course the election of chairman, and for this office Colonel Trimble (the former chairman), and Mr. J. B. Bradshaw were proposed. On a division being taken, all the members being present, the result was a tie. As the Stand ing Orders do not contain any provision for meeting a difficulty of this kind, the questio i will probably have to be referred to the Hou; e unless, some change is effected in the coriposition of the committee. The wreck of the Lastingham has cast a gloom over the city, and flags have been lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect to those who perished.

Captain Morrison was about 60 years of ape. His wife usually accompanied him on his voyages. Instructions have been issued to send a steamer from Picton to proceed to the scene of the catastrophe and institute a search for three of the survivors who were hunting for a habitation, and could not be found when the others were rescued.

A subscription was started this morning in aid of the survivors, and £36 handed to the chief officer to provide clothing for his shipmates.

An enquiry into the disaster is being held before the Collector of Customs.

Mr. Bradshaw has been appointed Chairman of Native Committees.