PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3941, 16 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegraph.]

(FflOM OUB SPECIAL COBBESFONBENT.)

Wellington, Thia day

There was a very thin attendance in the House last night, and members who spoke on the Representation Bill, did so in a halfhearted manner, as they would fain know a little more of the probabilities of the bill passing before they unreservedly declared themselves.

The GamiDg and Lotteries Bill is yet in the throes of disputation. The Council disagree with certain amendments made by the Lower House, and the objection raised appears to be just and reasonable. The Bill as sent to the Upper House was striclly. and unswervingly coercive. A committee has been appointed from among members of the Lower House to consider the objections and amendments. It is believed Government object to the bill being altered, but there is little chauce of its becoming law without concessions are made.

Another clever sketch, which has crested much interest, appears in this morning's Times. " Ignotus " concludes his sketch of Mr Sheehan as fol'ows :— " Socially and politically, Mr Sheehan is in bad odour, and once out of the arena there is nothing in him to bring about his return, lie is one out of many sad instances of how a career, bright with promise, can, by an overweening self confidence, by an absence of principle, by a misuse of the powers bestowed upon him by providence, and an abuse of the position those powers have placed him in, become smudged and blurred, pass from our recollection, aod leave no good or successful deeds behind to keep his memory green." It is now pretty well known that the writer of these sketches sits on the Opposition benches, and is an ex Minister.

The following is the principal clause in the Pensions Bill:—"la case any person enjoying any superannuation or retiring allowance shall be appoiuted to fill aDy office in any public department, or shall in any other way become the recipient of of money paid out of Colonial revenue, every such allowance shall cease to be paid for any period subsequent to such appointment, it' the annual amount of the profit of the office or other appointment or emolument to which' he has become entitled will be equal to those of the office formerly held by him ; and in cage they shall not be equal to those of his former office, then no more of such superannuation allowance shall be paid to him than what with his salary of his new appointment or other emolument shall be equal to that of his formerjoffice.''

Your members, with Messrs Wilkinson and Brodie had a long interview with the Premier yesterday afternoon, and from all I can learn nearly every subject at all affecting Thames interests was brought up. It is s tid the Premier treated the deputation with great consideration, and in the matter of the damage done by the flood, said Mr Hales' report had been received, and was most exhaustive and favorable to concessions to the local authorities.

In the matter of an endowment of land within the Borough, the Premier said the subject was in the hands of Mr itolleston.

The right to mine for minerals, other than gold, upon native lands was referred to by your local men, and Mr Hall promised to consider the subject.

In fact, all the subjects brought to his notice are to be considered—some favorably, and others by being referred to his colleagues.