WELLINGTON.

Southland Times, Issue 1001, 10 August 1868, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

♦ (FUOMOTJB OWN COBBESPONDBNT.) Wellington, August 7. The debate on Mr Fox's motion has been again adjourned. Of Mr Dillon Bell's speech the " Advertiser " says it was brilliant, witty, and eloquent, but neither powerful nor convincing, It was the greatest oratorical effort yet made in the course of the debate. Some passages were most irresistibly amusing, while others were worthy of Burke or Pitt. Still it was pervaded by an egotism which marred its effect ; and Mr Bell did himself harm rather than good by his attempted defence of Mr Weld relative to General Cameron's campaign, and his implied attack on Mr Stafford. ' No war news. The " Woodpecker,' which was on her , I way to Patea, put back to Wangauui with 1 the Nelson volunteers, who broke cargo. i Gorton boarded her and brought ashore Ensign Wray and one of the ringleaders. They were given over to the civil power,

and brought before the Hesident Magistrate, when they were remanded. The men complain of being sent on board without arms, or shoes to their feet. The vessel proceeded without those brought ashore. WELLnrGTOir, August 8. The debate is gradually drawing to an end. i A great many members on both sides of the House have spoken on the subject, j but beyond a repetition of the argu-j I ments used on the occasion of the ! introduction of the Local Self- Government Bill last session, no feature of noticeable importance has arisen during the debate. . . Quite a number of hon. members spoke on the question at issue last night, all of them mainly in favor of the policy enunciated by the Q-overnment. The hon. member for the Lakes, (Mr Haughton, an Otago member) spoke at considerable length, and in the course of his remarks, he took occasion to make a fierce attack on the hon. member for the Goldfields (MrYogel.) Quite a scene here occurred. The Speaker of the House, Sir David Monro, called the hon. members to order, in consequence of the bitter recrimination indulged in. During the debate a remarkable feature was developed by the wrangling indulged in by some hon. members on the question of the perpetuation of Otago Provincialism. The house is full of spectators every night, and the greatest interest appears to be manifested by the public :;i the progress of the debate. It is not expected that a division will be taken till Wednesday next. The Hon. Mr Hall, Postmaster-General, it is expected, will deliver one of the best speeches of the session on Tuesday evening. It is considered pretty confident in Ministerial circles that the Government will obtain a majority. There is'no war news.