PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5132, 29 June 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegbaph.] (from oub own cobbeßpondbnt.)

Wellington, This day. The New Zealand Times this morning revived the rumor of the probability of Mr Stout abandoning politics, and receiving the appointment of Chief Justife, vice Sir James Prendergast, who, being in ill health, is anxious to retire. From information I have received I am of opinion that the only part of the rumor in which there is any truth is that Sir Janes Prendergast is not as well as he might be, and would be glad to retire. Mr Stout, however, has no intention of resigning at present. The rumor has,. I believe, gained currency through the inability of members' to account for the half-and-half utterances of Major Atkinson on Friday night. These critics hare settled the matter to their own satisfaction, by providing a coalition between Sic Juliui Vogel and Major Atkinson, and ai Mr Stout would be in the way in the event of such a coalition, he has been relegated to the serene and musty atmosphere of the Supreme Court. It may, however, be taken for granted that there is no truth whatever in the rumor as given. The debate adjourned from Friday will be re-opened to-morrow night by Mr Dargaville, and it is stated that Sir Geo. Grey will follow, and that his speech will contain a violent attack of a personal nature on Sir Julius Vogel and Mr Stout. Rumor says that a number of members usually found voting with Government are desirous that Ministers should withdraw some of their policy measures. Whether that is true or not it is hard to say, but it is a fact that a number of Ministerialists are strongly opposed to several of tbe Policy Bills. . . , Peter Ferguson, of Te Aroha, arrived here yesterday, and proposes to petition the House for the £1000 promised by Mr Larnach when up your way, for a tramway to his new battery.

A meeting of Freetraders was held this morning, at which the resolutions of the Committee came up for discussion, and were passed with but slight amendments. Mr Pyke (Chairman) and Mr Pearson (Secretary) were appointed a deputation to wait on Government and inform them that the meeting was of opinion they should take back the tariff proposals as a whole. There were about forty people present at the meeting. r I have just seen Mr Stout, who affirms that the rumor of which I informed you as to his appointment to the Chief Justiceship is entirely without foundation. It is pointed out that the Chief Justice is not yet of sufficient age to retire on pension, and he is hardly likely to retire without that.

General Scratchley arrived here yesterday, to confer with Government on New Guinea affairs, in pursuance of instructions from the Colonial Office.