PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3921, 23 July 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegraph.] (fbom oufi special correspondent.) Wellington, This day. The division will not be taken till Tuesday, in order to allow of the arrival of absent members. It seems almost certain that in no case will the majority on either side oa Mr Ormond's amendment exceed two or three, and there may be a tie, but there is not the slightest doubt that even if Ministers have a majority they must withdraw their measures, and should they be defeated they will force upon Mr Ormond the responsibility of forming a Ministry. Mr Ormond is even more than usually reticent, but those who ought to know best say that his plans are complete. The House was densely crowded on Thursday night, and the greatest excitement prevailed. Mr Weston made a bitter attack on Sir George Grey for having reflected on the political judges. Sir George Grey was scathing in his reply, and insinuated unmistakably that Mr VVeston's support of Government had been purchased by the promise of another judgeship. The Premier _stated yesterday that the stay of the Squadron at Auckland woiilJ be limited to about fire days, and th it during that time the Princes would visit the hot springs, and that suitable arrangements would be made for their reception at Tauranga, as also for their resideuce while ashore at Auckland. The Native Affairs Committee reported to the House that they refuse to sanction the proposal to extend the leases of areas occupied by Europeans on Native Keserves at Greymouth. The chief portion of the town is built on Native Lands, and residents are naturally anxious to ensure greater fixity of tenure than they now hold. Mr Murray gave notice to brins in a bill to regulate the duration of Parliament, to come into force at the termination of the present Parliament. Mr lieeves has tabled a notice of motion, but which yet stands low opon the Order Paper, " That it is desirable to impose a duty on wool, hides, and tallow exported from the colony of not less than 2\ per cent, on the declared value. The total number of sheep infected with scab in the Provincial District of Wellington during the quarter ended June 30tb, amounted to 89,876, the flocks being all mixed. The Committee appointed by the Assembly to report on the rabbit nuisance have recommended that a bill be introduced this session which shall provide that its administration be conducted by officers of Government on principles similar to the Sheep Act, and that all unoccupied Crown lands, native, or reserve lands bear a proportionate share of the cost of destroying rabbits and expenses of administering the Act. The Committee further states that unless immediate and energetic action be taken in order to stop the extension and suppress the pest, the result will be ruinous. The Statutes ltevision Committee have recommended the excision of the last paragraph of clause 37 in the Crown Suits Bill. The paragraph struck out is to Make prtovision for clause $ of the Crown Redress Act of 1877, which provides " that no person sball have redress against the Crown for the breach of any contract for purchase of Crown lands, or other lands, the property of Her Majesty, or in or to which she has any title or interest." It is not thought probable that the division will be taken on the no-confidence motion before Wednesday, and there is no change in the position of parties, both sides claiming 42 pledged, and three remaining doubtful.