PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3940, 15 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegraph.]

(i'KOM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, This day

The debate on the Jiepresentation Bill will be resumed to-night, and about the lobbies are signs of increased dislike and opposition to it, more especially on the part of the Northern members, who object to Otago having all but one short of half of the whole European representation. On the other hand, Otago and Canterbury members, seeing the power it will place in their hands, show signs of burying the hatchet and working together in support of the bill. The debate is likely to be long and acrimonious. The members who went up in the Stella ou Friday to inspect the JNew Plymouth harbour works returned yesterday, thoroughly satisfied of the correctness of the committee's report. They consider the mouey hitherto expended as literally thrown away, and state that while the people living in the town of New Plymouth favored the work in consequence of the enormous local expenditure caused by it, the country districts were opposed to it. There; ib a, good dts.il of cuimueul auioug

members as to the 10 per cent, reduction from Mr Weston's salary being returned him by Government, As many say that it was just at the time of the division on the want of confidence motion, it has an unpleasant look, and, strange to say, the cheque was dated on a Sunday. Mr Maxwell, the General Manager of New Zealand railways, has intimated a desire to be relieved at an early date, as he purposes proceeding to England. Various rumors have been afloat in regard to Maxwell's resignation, but it is stated, apparently on authority, that the relations between himself and Government have been throughout* of a most friendly nature, and that the arrangements made for his early retirement have been of an entire!/ aJiicable character, involving no unpleasantness on cither side.