DISMAL AND DREARY SCENE Wellington, May 14.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 155, 22 May 1886, Page 5

DISMAL AND DREARY SCENE Wellington, May 14.

Wellington, May Dismal and dreary Wellington presented its most dismal appearance yesterday afternoon, on the occasion of the opening of Parliament. The outlook was cold and chcorless, rain fell steadily, and the low and gloomy clouds gave no promise of any cessation. The afternoon was, in a word, one of the most miserable and cheerles3 that could be imagined. The opening ceremony was similar to others in previous years, but, consequent upon the weather, was witneßßcd by few spectators. Great-coated volunteers formed the guard of honour, and precisely at 2 o'clock tho booming of the guns in tho distance announced j the approach of His Excellency. Lady and Miss Jervoisehad already been conducted by Sir Win. Fitz Herbert to seats on the left of the Vt throne," while seats behind them wero occupied by Lady Vogol, Mrs Stout, Mrs Ballance, and Mrs Tole. Only about a dozen members of the Legislative Council wero present. There was a very good attendance of ladies in the part of the chamber set apart for their benefit, and the genera public were also very well represented. His .LxceUency arrived immediately after two L o'clock, attended, by Malop Jervois, Captain

Modley, R.N., Col.|Butts, Viscount D. Abbans, French Consul, Mr J. R. George, Danish Consul, Mr Castondyk, Acting-Consul for Germany, Colonel Whitmore, and a number of officers from the Japanese warship Tsultuba. His Excellenoy was attired in a haiidsomo Windsor uniform, and the display of military and naval uniforms was striking in the extreme The " faithful Commons" responded to the message in due course, and, headed by the Speaker in his robes, camo trooping into the chamber to the number of about twenty-five. The Ministers, with the exception, of Sir Julius Voi*el and tho Hon. P. Buckley, formed a front row. The speech was very slowly and deliberately read, after which an adjournment at once took place to tho " Lower House."

House of Representatives On assembling in the House of Representatives, petitions succeeded each other in rapid buccession. Mr Bevan gave notice of the Address-in-reply, and the speech having been road again by the Speaker, tno House adjourned till Tuesday. It had been the intention to hold a short sitting on Friday for the appointment of Committees, out the fact that so large a proportion of members have yet to arrive rendered an adjournment till Tuesday desirable.

Christohurch Hospital. Tho Government do not intend to act upon the rider to the verdict in Uio " Evening Press" libel, which it willberemoniberedrccommended an inquiry into the management of the Christchurch Hospital. Ihcy say that the institution, having come under tho management of a now Board, any defects or abuses will he remedied.

Mines Consolidation. The Mines Consolidation Bill, which is now being framed, is intended to give relief to miners by reducing the £old duty, tho cost of miners' rights and of mining leases. These ore the principal now points of the measure, but it contains other amendments of lesser importance.

Mr. Hainlin and Tawhiao. One of tho Auckland weekly journals published the other day an article reflecting upon Mr. Ilamlin in connection with tlio recent banquet at Waiuku to Tawhiao, the inference being that temptations had been placed in the way [of tho dusky monarch which might have had the effect of causing him to break his obligation. It is only fair to Mr Hanilin to say, that out of consideration for the temperance principles of Tawhiao, he himself set a good example by proposing the toasts in cold water.

Attaok on Bellamy's. Another attack upon the much abused Bellamy s has been made nt this early period of the session. Mr Scotland has moved in the Legislative Council for the abolition of the kitchen, on the ground that hot dinners arc not required. Another member avers that if this motion succeeds he will move for the abolition of the bar in Bellamy's.

Various Note. Owing to ill-health. Mr W. Mitchell, one of the oldest " Hansard " hands, will be unable to occupy his place in tho "Hansard' gallery this session. Mr Mitcht-11 amII, however, act as a reporter to Select Committees, and Mr W. Berry, of Auckland, will probably receive the vacant appointment. Mr Cadman has presented a petition from Arthur Steel Ford, formerly of the Ist Waikato ltegimcnt, of -which the petitioner, who has already rccch cd 50 acres and a town section for military services, prnjs for the additional 10 acres,' to which he claims to bo entitled by virtue of his rank as corporal. The Minister of Mines tells me that he intends to place a sum of money on the estimates to subsidize Schools of Mines to the extent of £1 for £1. These will be established at the Thames and other parts of the colony, Government providing lecturers for tho present. l'joir'essor Black's lectures are said to have been productive of a great deal of good already. Mr Hurst intends to ask the Minister -if Public Works next Tuesday it they have decided upon the route of the proposed extension of the Holensvillc railway. Tho Kaipaia nial 13a y ot Islands people are at \ ariance on the question. The Government policy Bills are announced to bo nearly all in an advanced stage, and it is probable that the Budget will be prchcn'ed by the Colonial Treasurer the week alter next, unless some unexpected party trouble arises in the meantime,

Criticism of the Governor's Address. The "New Zealand Times "says the Speech occasioned general surprise, owing to its remarkable brevity, simplicity, moderation, and non - sensationalism. Though it ailuids no opportunity for attack by either Major Atkinson or Sir George Grey, there is an extreme vagueness about the Speech, which is to be regretted.

Leave of Absence Twelve months' leave of absence has been granted, to the Hon. Messrs. Pharazyn and Richmond.. I hear that the Hon. Capt, Fraser is seriously ill, and it is unlikely that he will seable to pui'&ue his legislative duties this session.