PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5155, 25 July 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Tbieobaph.] (from own oub coebespondent.)

Wellington, Last night. The Minister of Mines is making his Mines Statement this evening. Whilst it ia possible there may be a good of useful information in the Statement, it is a gocd deal padded out with unnecessary relation of personal experiences wide of the subject, during the Minister's recent tour of inspection of the goldfields of the colony.

It has been freely rumored that Mr Montgomery is to be called to the Upper House, bat I am in a position to say that thera is no'tr.uth whatever in the rumor, and Mr Montgomery does not; seem at all flattered or pleased with it. It is said that after carefully counting noses, the present position of the East and West Coast Eailway works is tbat fiftyfire are against the proposal and thirty-six only in favor of them. Of course these figures may be altered before Tuesday next, but the general opinion is tb*t the proposals will be iejected. Tbe Government have taken one of the private members' days, and propose that the House shall sit on Monday night's henceforward. The opinion is that as there is no indication of the close of the session, this course was quit* unnecessary, and is only taken for the purpose of wearying the House.

This day. The Middle Party, although much ridiculed of late, is gaining strength, an' it is now estimated is fully able to turn the Government out and stand itself. The idea is to avoid both Major Atkinson and Sir George Grey, and with a new combination, with perhaps Mr Ormond at its head, should succeed ; that both Sir Geo. Grey and Major Atkinson would support such a party is possible, but I have my doubts as tq whether Mr Ormond would consent to take office with a Ministry without a defined po'icy. Negotiations, however, are now going on to induce Mr Ormond to take the leadership of the Economical Administration party "the party putting the colony in the position of a horse likely to collapse from hard training. The idea is to knock its shoes eff and put the poor horse out to grass.

Lateb. Amongst the names mentioned as pro* minent members of the Middle or Fourth Party, are Messrs Ormond, Dargaville, Samuel, Scobie Mackenzie, .Richardson, ! and Fisher. Of course, there is nothing 1 definite abbot this; it is the merest gossip. The difficu ty this new party is experiencing is t. find a room in which to locate themselves and coDspira. Messrs Scobie McKenzie, and Biehardson (Matanra), hare thij morning written . to the Premier, severing their connection with the Government. If Mr Ormond takes the leadership of the party, it is expected that a no-confidence motion will ' be shortly brought down.