CAPTAIN RUSSELL'S MOTION. Carried by Fifteen Majority. Wellington, Sept. 11.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 120, 19 September 1885, Page 4

CAPTAIN RUSSELL'S MOTION. Carried by Fifteen Majority. Wellington, Sept. 11.

After four days of- a state of affairs that a Lord Dundreary would say "No' { fellah could understand," we are at last beginning to see daylight. Major Atkinson has played the part of a political mactavele with great success. He has aaubbed the Government, helped the Canterbury iparty to revenge themselves on the -advocates of other pufrlip works, and- has' concentrated this compact party, and besides all these achievements, his action has been consistent and quite consonant with the programme laid down for the operations of his party early in the session. At first many members of the party very much disliked the attitude taken up by their leader, but hia strong will and the confidence reposed in him eventually brought them all to his way of thinking. It appears that the Canterbury party at first merely wanted a reduction of some £400,000 to be distributed over specified works ; Major Atkinson, however, insisted that the amount should be £500,000 to prevent the raising of a loan, and Capt. Russell, who was, of course, merely a puppet all through, took Major Atkinson's advice, and the Canterbury manipulators had to bow to the great power. Yesterday afternoon it transpired that the Opposition had abandoned their success, if such it should prove, on Captain Kussell's resolution, by moving a further direct vote recommending the Government to take back their Estimates and recast them. Overtures were made to Mr Ormond'to see whether he would support them in this course, but he declined to do so, although before leaving for Napier yesteriay afternoon he paired against the Government on the East and West Coast lino question, votes for water races, and other necessary works. Many members of the Opposition are averse to any further action being taken against the Ministry this session, now that their hands are so tied as to prevent them doing any serious mischief during the recess. On the House assembling to-night, there was a large attendance, nearly 90 members being present. The House, however, had talked itself out on the subject of the East and West Coast railway, and the debate collapsed. Soon after 8 o'clock Mr O'Callaghan'e amendment was lost on the voices, and Captain Russell's motion was put and carried by a majority of 15. Mr Macandrew had paired with the Government against the motion, but was unfortunately locked in, and voted in favour of the motion from motives of honour, The following is the division list : —

Ayes, U. All wright Lake Atkinson Lacco Barron Levestam Beetham Locke Bevan Macaadrew Brace McMillan Bryc3 Meateath Buchanan Mitoheleon BueMand, W. F. O'Callaghan Connolly Peacook Dodaon Pearson Garriok Richardson, G. P. Guinness Boss Hamlin Russell Harper Samuel 1 Hialop Steward, W. J, Hobbg Sutter Holmes Thomson, J. W. Hursthouse Trimble Ivesß Walker j Johnston White, W. \ Kerr Whyte, J. B.

Noe a . 29. BalZance Newman Bradanaigh-Bra^sbaw O'Connor Brown Pere Buckland, J. C. Pratt 1 Cad man Pyke Cowan Reid Dargaville Richardson, E. Duncan Seddon Fitzhcrb rt Smith Gore Stewart, W. D I Hatch Stout Macarthur Te Ao Mackenzie, M. J. S. Thompson, T. McEenzle, J. Turnball Moss

P4IBS. „, Ayes. Noes. W. J. Hurst Grace Fulton Larnach Hirst Joyce R j)leBton Tolo Wilson Reese