PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4899, 22 September 1884, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegbaph.] (fbom oub own cobbbsfokdbltt.) "Wellington, This day. Hortii Main Trunk Railway. 1 Messrs Percy Smith and Eawson have arrived in obedience to a summons frr-m the North Main Trunk Railway Select Committee, and will give their evidence to-morrow morning. Latee. The taking of evidence having been concluded sooner than was expected, Mr Eawson was sent for this morning, and examined before the Select Committee. He is looked upon as the chief witness on behalf of Ihe Stratford route, having made a most careful survey and detailed the ex ploration of that route. Mr Laurence Cousins. District Surveyor, Waikato, and Capt. Nortbcroft, Jft.M., Waikato, were also examined. As you are probably aware, in anticipation of the financial proposals in the budget, many merchants in different centres passed out of bond a considerable quantity of sugar, &o. As would be seen from the Financial Statement, however, their fears were premature, and it has now transpired that delegates from the South have been informed that no alteration in the tariff is contemplated this session. This will probably be re-assuring news for your merchants. The Premier, who has been compelled lo keep to his room since Friday night, by his doctor's orders is about again to day, and is in attendance at the Treasury Buildings. General regret is expressed that the adjournment of the House was moved on Friday night immediately after Mr Wakefield'B speech. It is felt that that marvellously inconsistent, rhapsodi i eal exhibition should have been answered at once, and that aDy reply now made will fall flat. I hear that Mr Stout was anxious to reply on Friday night, but that he was dissuaded from his intention by his friends, who thought he was too ill for the efforf. Mr Holmes will open the debate to morrow night, and is now busily engaged in the preparation of his speech, which, it is said, will b«? specially addressed to Mr Wakefield. The debate will probably last several days, as all the secondary financial authorities intend to speak. , The Hinemoa left for Nelson on Saturday with a goodly number of members aboard, and returns to-morrow morning.