THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1861.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 392, 26 July 1861, Page 2

THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1861.

The debate on the 'No Confidence' motion of Mr. Fox, in the House of Representatives, concluded, as we have before stated, by a majority of one against the Stafford ministry."

On Tuesday, July sth, Mr. Stafford stated to the house that, in consequence of what passed there on Friday last, the ministers had felt it their duty to resign the several offices held by them. On account of that circumstance he should move the adjournment of the house till Friday next. Mr. Fox seconded the motion, and informed the house that, on the Saturday previous, he had received a letter from his Excellency the Governor, informing him of such resignation, and requesting his assistance in the formation of a new ministry. He waited at once on his-Bxcellency, but as it was late on Saturday he had been unable to do much. Yesterday he had been engaged with several members, and he thought he should have no difficulty in making arrangements with his Excellency relative to the formation of a ministry before Friday. From tho Wellington Independent, which received news from Auckland to the 12th by H.M.S. Miranda, we learn that the following is the result of the honorable gentleman's endeavors in cabinet making.

As is often usual in such cases, the most absurd rumois were continually floated; none more absurd than tha' Mr. Fox was unable to form a ministry that could ho regarded as presentable, much less permanent. The private position of (he Auckland members—the disinclination to give up their business for office—was perhaps the greatest difficulty

*n the \vay of forming a ministry that would satisfy Auckland, especially when it became desirable that Dr. Featherston should throw into the ministry the weight of his character ami influence. In the list below it will be seen that this difficulty has been met by the introduction of Mr. Superintendent Williamson and Mr.. Henderson into the Executive without office, who, #ith the Treasurer, ought to satisfy whatever apprehensions Auckland might have felt in reference to her being uni eprcsented.

The ministry as finally settled is aB follows :—

Colonial Secretary—-Dr. Featherston,

Colonial Treasurer —Mr. Reader Wcod.

Attorney-General (and Leader of the House)— Mr. Fox. Native Minister—Mr. Mantell.

Postmaster-General —(Kept open probably for Mr. Crosbie Ward. (Seats in the Executive without office) —Mr. Williamson and Mr. Henderson.

We believe Nelson would not have been left out of this arrangement Had there been a member who would have accepted office; the offer was made but declined. Mr. Domett's anti-Provincial tendencies and his thick-and-thin support of* Stafford debarred his working with Fox.

In the debate it casually came out that, should peripatetic parliaments—a pet project at Wellington—be adopted, Mr. Fox would not have the least objection to make use of the Nelson Provincial Hall for the legislative menagerie, which Mr. Saunders said would be allotted with pleasure for the service of the General Government.

Mr. Fox's speech occupied only two hours, and even the Southern Gross called it a brilliant one, though it was not generally considered in Fox's best style. Mr. Stafford was wearisome, and sat down evidently indisposed. Mr. Richmond was nearly exhausted in a three hours' speech. Mr. J. C. Richmond wound up an abusive, personal and weak speech by declaring that he would prefer Satan himself to Fox. Mr. Curtis made a discursive speech, in which he said that he had always been a ' consistent opposer of the mover.' Mr. Saunders thought it 'no great presumption to speak after the honorable member for Motueka;' he blamed the Government for their civil appointments, especially in Nelson, and declared that the * war had been commenced badly, feebly carried on, and dishonorably concluded.' Mr. Cracroft Wilson made a genuine' thunder-and-lightning speech, reminding one of John O'Connell's ' die-on-the-floor-of-the-house' oration; he declared that with three regiments of Ghoorkas he would cut his way from Auckland to Cook's Strait, or that his bones' should whiten the ground. We hope General Cameron will at once secure the services of this fire-eating legislator.

It is singular that the Sewell ministry was replaced by a majority of one; the Fox cabinet was ousted by a majority of one; and now the Stafford ministry has undergone the same process by a like majority. Many of the new members spoke on this occasion, while many of the old stagers were silent.

An incident occurred during the debate, in which *he of the graceful hand' was not in the most enviable position. We Copy the account from a Wellington paper.

The opening debate was marked by a most important accident. Among those who had requested Speaker's prders-^which entitled the holder to a place behind the . chair—was General Cameron. The house was crowded from an early hour. While the preliminary business was going on the General entered in plain clothes, followed by two of his staff similarly attired. He walked straight up to the house to the vicinity of the Speaker's chair, fonnd no accommodation provided, and though one or two members sitting at the end of the benches rose and offered their places,'his Excellency turned round and walked out of the house, followed by the gentlemen who had accompanied him. During all this scene Mr. Speaker made no. sign—neither noticed the entrance nor departure of the gallant officer. The moment he left the house however some one mentioned it to Bell, the chairman of the House Committee, who instantly communicated with the Speaker, and then hurried out after the Goneral. It was however 100 late; the night was dark and the General invisible.

Next day, when a motion was before the house in reference to want of accommodation, the attenof the house was called to the above event, to the conduct of the legislature at Sydney, which placed the late Speaker of New Zealand, Sir Charles Clifford, in a chair on the floor of their house, and at Melbourne when a similar mark of respect wqs shown to Dr. Featherston, as Superintendent of Wellington. The Speaker finally apologised to the house, and told them that he had already done so in writing to the General.

The Airedale arrived from the south on Tuesday last. In another column will be seen the result of an investigation into the loss of the 1.R.M.0.'s steam ship Victory, and the latest from the Otago gold-fields. ra ; The Storm Bird from Wellington and Picton arrived on Wednesday,, with Taranaki news and latest dates from Auckland.

The same evening the Lord Ashley arrived from Sydney, which she left on the 16th instant., For three days after leaving the Heads she experienced strong southwesterly gales ; she brings a full cargo and a few passengers. The English papers are filled with American news, which has been anticipated by what we have already given, and by what appears in our paper to-day, and which we have received by the way of Auckland.. •

We remind our readers of the election o three members for the Board of Works* which will take place, at the Market, on Monday next,- at 12 o'clock. Messrs. Everett, Graham, and Burns retire through expiration of term of office, but are eligible for re-election, The poll (if any) will be, taken on the following day.

Bugler River.—The Maories who have lately reachodthis district appear to have every confidence in the richness of the ground, very many of them have despatched letters back by the Jane to friends iv Aorere, Motupipi, Motueka, &c, inviting them to go to the new diggings.

Tka Meeting at Stoke.—The tea meeting that took place at the Stoke schoolroom, on Tuesday ..'veiling lust was r«ry well attended, there b>'ing about 150 persons present. The exertion made by the district to bnild-the Wesleyan chapel has been exceedingly praiseworthy, rt being annua, eed thai the proceeds ol the subscript >hs, colic ctions, and the above, meeting released it from /ill debt. Mr. Saxtou occupied the chair. Tlie Revs. J. Innes and J. Moorhouse and Messrs. Gardiner, Austin,. Drer, Burn, Wagg, and others addressed the meeting.

ODD-FELLOWSHIP. The half-yearly meeting of the Nelson district of the Manchester Unity of the Independent Order of Oddfellows was held at the Odd-Fellows' Hall, on Tuesday, 2nd July. -Returns for the twelve months ending 30th June, 1861, were received from the' Loyal Nelson,' ' Traveller's Rest,' ' Howard,' ' Mansion of Peace,' aud ' Marlborough' Lodges, from which the following statistics were gathered :—

1. That the number of members in this district amoymtsto3l7 (this does not include the Lodges at Motueka and Riwaka, which are now a separate district). 2. That the sum of £539 Ss. 3d. has been subscribed by tbe members of this district from Ist July, 1860, to 30th June. 1861.

3. That the sum of £123 10s. 4d. has been paid to sick brethren.

4. That the sum of £116 13s. has been paid for medical attendance on sick brethren.

5. That the accumulated funds of the district amount to upwards of £1665, the greater part of which is lent to the members at ten per" cent per annum.

The Widows' and Orphans' Fund shows a steady iricrease, which is in a great measure owing to the vigorous efforts of the members and the donations of private individuals. The officers of the fund have great pleasure in acknowledging the able, willing, and gratuitous services of Mrs. Scaife, Mr. Walcot, and others at the concerts given in aid of the fund during the last two years. The sum of £B5 lis. has been paid to widows and orphans on the fund during the past year. Independent of the regular subscriptions of the members the sum of £35 18s. has; been received from concerts and private donations during the same period. The present balance in favor of the fund is £290 3s. 2d., the bulk of which is lent to the members at interest.

The above particulars the officers of the district are anxious that tho brethren of the order and the public should know, and they have every reason for gratitude to an all-wise Providence for the success which continues to attend the order, especially in this district, and would impress upon the members of the order the great value of such an Institution as that of Odd-Fellowship, and the necessity which exists for every member doing his utmost to carry out the glorious motto of the order, 'Friendship, Love, and Truth.'-— Communicated.