PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3903, 2 July 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By

Telegraph.]

(FROM OUK SPECIAL COHRESrONBKNT.)

Wellington', This clay-

In committee on the eleventh clause of the Registration oi' Electors Bill, Ministers sustained another defeat by a majority of one on the clause, which, as it originally stood abolished open nomination of candidates. The amendment was carried, reverting to the system of nomination at the hustings.

A caucus has been called for this morning, in consequence it is generally believed of this defeat. There are rumours this morning of serious differences, if not actually in ranks of the Ministry, in those of their immediate followers.

Great annoyance has been caused to the Speaker and 1" Sir George Grey in consequence of a telegram fr m Wellington in the Christehurch Press describing a violent personal altercation betweeu the Speaker and Sir George Grey, ending in Sir George Grey's expulsion from the Speaker's room. Both Sir M. O'Jiorke and Sir George Grey declare there is not a word of truth in the story, nor the slightest pretext for the foundation of such a story

In the Lower House Mr Stevens moved the second reading of the Church of England in N.Z. Trustees Incorporation Bill, which provided for the incorporation of the Trusts in each diocese, and would come into operation in Dunedin, directly it became law, and other dioceses at nest meeting of General Senate. The motion was agreed to.

Mr Stevens, as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, brought up a report on Dr Pollen's pension, which was tabled yesterday. The following is the report and condensation of the proceedings in Committee :—Piblic Accounts Committee, to which the matter was referred to by the House on I7fch August, 1880; matter of Pension and arrears of Pension to Dr Pollen, with directions to report on the circumstances under which the same was grauted, had now the honor to lay before the House a copy of proceedings in the ease, and printed papers and records before ths committee and to report —That in forwarding a pension of £418 los a year to Dr Pollen, and paying that pension from 30th Coluber, 1876, tue Government acted aeeordiiui to the weight of opiuiou giveu by the Crown Law officer;;, and oven paid £1391 12s (id lesti than the audit department wens willing to pay as legally due to Dr Pollen. The committee arc, however, of opinion that the Crown Law Officer and Civil Servants of the colony have had the most favourable interpretation on doubtful points in this claim for pension, and underrate the circumstances which appear to make the claim of doubtful legality. The Committee think it is opon to grave doubt whether Dr Pollen was entitled to reckon for purposes of his pension the time during which he held a seat in the Executive Council, without seal or portfolio. The Committee are also of opinion that the promise made by Sir Julius Vogel, that the sum of £300 paid to Dr Pollen as paymaster of the Imperial Pensions should be included in any calculation for the purposes of the pensions was one which It was beyond the lawful authority of any Minister to make and was subversive of Parliamentary authority and control. The committee consider thai any case of the above nature, which may in itself be reasonable, but is surrounded by legal difficulties, should be submitted to Parliament for its decision.