Parliamentary Notes.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4220, 11 July 1882, Page 2

Parliamentary Notes.

[Br Teieqbaph.] (FROM OUR, OWN CORBESPONDrST.) WEiiiNGTOjir, This day. Atkinson had a very good House when lie moved his assurance resolutions, and he was listened to very patiently. But the statements fell flat, and no man seemed to be more aware of the fact than the Treasurer himself. He spoke until a quarter past nine, and was much applauded when he finished. Grey rose, and wanted to speak, when he sat down, but O'Rorke called on Montgomery, who rose and spoke more fluently than usual. Soon after he had commenced speaking the fire bells rang and distracted the attention of members, and those who went a short distance to see where the' fire wa9, found on their return Grey engaged in fierce declamation against the Government and their friends for land sharking practices. Grey took the line that land should be charged for • the support of the poor. When the half hour's adjournment took place, members engaged in speculation why they should hare been called to* gether to hear a debating society discus* sion, and one or more talked of moving an amendment that Atkinson should pay for the gas consumed. All the pith was taken out of the debate by Montgomery when he 'was speaking saying thst*^ Atkinson only wanted to bring the matter before the country, and thus give Atkinson a means of escape from a difficult position.

Sheehan about midnight rose and moved" an amendment which caused a great flutter in the Montgomery dovecot. It was thought by them that the amend* ment had been arranged beforehand with the Grey people, but this was not the case, although Dargaville may hare known what was being done. Barron, who dislikes Sheehan, re' pudiated any arrangement or agreement with Sheehan, aud then the leader got up and spoke for hia party, looking as wise as an owl, and hurling' a snort of defiance at the Grey corner.' Morris then moved the adjournment, to let Atkinson down easily when Seddon arose in joke and deplored such an important matter going undebated and being put off unsettled. Theu Grey said he had to protect hii character from being mixed up with Montgomery transactions, and the matter got shelved.