PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5169, 11 August 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegbaph.] (from own ottjb correspondent.)

Wellington, Last night. I bare it on good authority that at the meeting of the Canterbury and West Coast members this morning, it was decided that the Government should be requested to place a sum on the Public Works Estimates for the construction of the East and West Coast Railway. The Government were informed of this decision, and have agreed to comply with the wishes of the meeting. It is understood that the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill has been so amended as to dispose of a good deal of opposition that was otherwise expected. The Evening Press to night has the following rather interesting paragraph;— " We hear on good authority that a mem" ber of the firm of Meiggs is on his way to New Zealand, having left England some weeks ago, about the time when the first telegram from the railway delegates, stating the proposed arrangement with Messrs Mciggs, was sent. This confirms the opinion we had already formed, that the railway contract affair was supposed to be as good as settled, and that it was all ' cut and dried ' in London long before any. inkling was allowed to reach the public in New Zealand, We venture to say that if all the ramifications of this business could b» discussed, they would rather astound some people." If you are not sick of rumors, I wjll I give you the latest, which has just reached me. It is to the effect that Mr Stout will res:gn, and so burst up the Ministry, with a view to humbug Sir J. Vogel, and sending up a red* hot Radical Ministry. This is something like the rumor,! wired you on Thursday night, and as Mr Stout absolutely denied that there was anything in it, then I don't attach much importance to the rumor. The Canterbury members who were present at the meeting to-day refuse to say what transpired, as they have not come to any decision on the matters discussed. It is rumored that the Canterbury people will-.'try and stop the expenditure on the Northern Main Truuk Hail way, unless the House agrees to the East and West Coast Railway proposals in some shape. Messrs Montgomery and Barron have written to the Government to day, intimating that they cannot give them even a qualified support any longer; they hold themselves free to act inde pendently. It was rumored that Messrs Montgomery, Barron, and Ormond have got their heads together, and that the former had asked the latter to more a noconfidence motion. I am assured that there is no truth in this statement. It seems to be generally understood that a no-confidence motion is pending, but by whom it is to Lie moved has not transpired, and some are inclined to think that there is not much more than mere talk in this direction, though I shall not be surprised to hear of a no-copfiiience motion any day now.