PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3930, 3 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegraph.]

(fbom our special cobbesponbent.)

Wellington, This day

It now appears that including Maori members the Government propose to increase the number of members to 95. Those allocated to South Island are correct as wired yesterday; this leaves one to be allotted to the North Island, probably to Hawke's Bay. Last night on the estimates being brought down and going into committee of supply it was proposed that the estimates relating to the postal and telegraph department be taken, as being the least liable to controversy. At good deal of discussion was, however, caused through the estimates not being in members hands earlier and suggestions were made by members that the accounts had been " cooked," and were attempted to be rushed through this year. The House was asked to vote the gross amount for all the services in one sum. The Speaker stated that he would consult with the Chairman of Committees

as to the alteration made in the form of the Estimates, and took the opportunity of sajing that he would be loth, if I understood him aright, to sanction any departure from the mode in which the Estimates had generally been heretofore brought down.

Of course the new form in which they are tabulated, this year would have tended to their being more rapidly passed than that previously in vogue. But the main objection in minds of members to their being proceeded with last evening was undoubtedly the desire to make themselves familiar with their contents before proceeding to pass them. The motion was then adjourned till FriJay.and the House went into committee on the Gaming and Lotteries Bill in committee, and the Bill being reported to the speaker as amended the House rose.