THE MINISTRY AND THE STAMP DUTIES.

West Coast Times, Issue 307, 17 September 1866, Page 2

THE MINISTRY AND THE STAMP DUTIES.

(from the lyttemon times, sept. 13.)

There, is, it seems, some; likelihood of the Stamp Dutie3 being carried in the face of the opposition of a decided majority in the House of Bepresenbatives. We have rpason to bes lieve that tho Government have resolved to make the imposition of these duties a Cabiuet question, and to stand or fall by the vote. This will have the effect of inducing several members to abstain from voting against the measure through their unwillingness to oust the Ministry, and to create a fresh and most serious crisis. It is possible that the tactics of the Premier, acting upon this knowledge will be successful ; but his downfnll and the ruin of his pnrty, if he have one, may be dated from his temporary triumph. No statesman need dream of carrying such an obnoxious measure fas tho first imposition of direct taxes in, tho colony against tho general feeling of the public, and in the teeth of an acknowledged majority of their representatives, without sooner or later paying'the penalty. The threat of resignation does not wear well ; it never tells a second time. And people will not care again to trust with political power the man who makes such a use of it.

1 (by electric telegbaph.) / Wellington', Sept. 12, 12.35. j Moorhouse presented the Christchurch,and Lyttelton petition on Monday. The petition attracted great attention. The debate on the Stamp Duties commenced the same ■ evening. Stafford, Carleton, and Fitzherbert spoke for, and'FitzGrerald and Moorhouse against the measure. JBotli the latter speakers were much applauded. Tho debate was continued on Tuesday evening." Crosbie Ward moved an amendment with g^eafc success. Fitzherbert replied ; tho two speeches occupied five hours in delivery. Tho debate adjourned. Expected to-day nnd to-morrow. Government supposed to have a majorityr

A most melancholy instance of sudden death occurred on night, in the person of the v ife of Captain Kirby of the schooner Mary Jane. It appears that, accompanied by her husband and child, she had been shopping on Gibson's Quay! and was returning home with him about half-past nine o'clock, when she suddenly complained of iudispo9ttion, and turned very' faint. He at once .conducted her to a s % tore near at hand, and had just left her to obtain medical assistance when the proprietor called him back, as his wife appeared in a dying state. Ho returned, and in a few minutes afterwards she breathed her last. Dr. Berndt was called in, but too late to be of any assistance, It is supposed tlie cause of death was heart disease. As 'a mark of condolence with Captain Kirby on his sad bereavement the flags of the d'Terent vessels in harbor were halt-masted yesterday: An inquest will be held on the body to-day.

We arc sorry to see tho announcement that Miss Julia Mathews is to make her last appearance at the Prince bf Wales Opera House to-night. We are almost incited to hope that 'some apcident or other wiU occasion Miss Mathews 1 detention for a few days longer in Hokitika. The performances on the occasion of her benefit on Friday night deserve somo lengthened comment, but the pressure of matter of great local interest compels us to withhold it until to-morrow. ( The pieces announced for this evening are the comedy ' of " Faces in the Fire," and the burlesque of " Aladdin." It will be seen that the committee appointed at the meeting held .at the Court House on Saturday, are convened for to-day at the Empire Hotel, at high noon. ' ' The ShakeSpeare Hotel has again changed hands, as it was sold last week by private treaty to Mr Cassius (Cassius .and Comiskey) for the sum of £800. This is £200 in' advance of the former price paid for it, and is an illustration of the worth of street property in Hokitika. An inqitest upon the' body of Michael Shanahan, who was drowned in tho Arahura last week, was held by Dr. Beswick, the district Coroner, ou Saturday, at the Carrier's A*ms, Auckland township. Tho facts elicited, touching tho circumstances of his death , were simifar to those we have already made known to the public, and a verdict of Accidental Drowning was returned.