PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4808, 6 June 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegraph.] (psom oub own cobbbspomdhnt.)

Wellington, Last night. Upon returning to the House, the Speaker read the Governor's Speech, and after taking notices of motion, papers, etc., Dv Newman gave notice of his intention to more the Address-in-Reply on Tuesday, and the House adjourned till to-morrow. A seconder to the Addressin^Reply has not yet been fixed upon by Government; one of the old members will hare to be selected, bat no names are yet mentioned.

For the first day's work a considerable number of papers and returns were laid on the table. A statement of the business of the Post Office Savings Sank is interesting to us, showing that, despite the bad times, the amount standing to the credit of all open accounts for the year ending 31st December last only exceeded one previous year since 1867, though it is true that year was the year 1882, when the accounts reached a total sum of £1,470.950, while last year the amount was £1,499,751, of which Auckland is credited with £295 344; . Christchurch, £308 589; Dunedin, £255,739; Weilington f £189,913; Invercargill, £51,979 ; Oamaru, £32,059; New Plymouth, £34,620; Thames, £44,171; and Bleubeim, £24,339.

Mr Swanson has presented a petition from Charles Wm. Smith, who in May, 1849, copied the Treaty of Waitangi, and at great trouble and expense visited and explained to the natives the object thereof, and obtained the signatures of 26 chiefs to the Treaty. The petitioner, who is now old and in indigent circumstances, claims the consideration of the House.

„,...'■ This day. The Hon. Walter Johnston, late" Minister for Public Works, resigned his seat in the Executive Council about three weeks ago, but for reasons of policy it has only just been made public. The Financial and Public Works Statements are ready for presentation to the House.