Parliamentary Jottings.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 184, 3 August 1901, Page 3

Parliamentary Jottings.

I (prom OOK O'WN correspondent.) 3 An -amusing thing happened .. to-daj, when Mr Hanan was asking a question. He was some- ) what long and prolix in getting tc i the point, and the Premier rathei [ ' testily ejaculated, "Oh! this toe | hot! To his considerable astonishment, there immediately rushed up to him one of the attendants bearing a thermometer, and pointing out that it only stood at about 55 degrees'! As it was a particularly cool morning and rain was falling outside, there was a great laugh-at the expense of the zealous but un-

discriminating messenger. The most exciting incident of late has been Mr George Fisher's attack on Commissioner Tunbridge. The Premier introduced an Imprest Supply Bill-ahat is a Bill granting money to the Government to carry on the various departments of the

State. Now it is a rule that when a Bill of this kind is introduced any one can bring up any other business and have it discussed before too Bill com-s -m. Of this nil*, Mr Pishsr took id vantage, and on the motion to go into supply, he moved, as an amendment, that a commission should be appointed to inquire into tho working of the police of the colony. He explained that it was not the working of the policemen he wished investigated, but the working of the police officers. He then pioceeded to attack Commissioner Tunbridge, using plenty of abusive language, but adducing no facts of tho slightest importance in tho opinion of the House in support of his case. Tho true inwardness of the whole case, it was stated by Mr J. A. Miliar and others was this. Detective McGrath, of Dunedin, was ap-

pointed some time ago Chief Detective for Wellington. A certain Mr Wright in the Wellington office appears to have been aggrieved at this. He seems to have thought,-

according to some members, that he ought to have got the position or at all event? xMr McGrath should not. Mr Wright had the ear of Inspector Pender, who is in charge here, and who is now a gentleman . of very advanced years, aud would, ic was stated, be entitled to a pension of £240 a year if he retired. It was also alleged that Inspector

Pender, owing to his advanced years, was relying greatly on Mr Wright to run the office. Consequently, a feud arose in the localpolice camp. On the one side was Inspector Pender, and Mr Wright, supuorted by the Wellington members, Mr G. Fisher and Mr Wilford, in the House, and on the other side were Commissioner Tunbridge and

Detective McGrrath, supported by the Dunedin members, Mr J. A. Miller aud Mr Barclay, in the House. Humour said that thePremier leaned to Inspector Pender's side, but Mr McGowan, the Minister 6t Justice, supported Commirfsiouor Tunbridge. The result of the deoate in the House on Mr • Lasher's-motion was a complete, and .-.mshing victory for Commissioner TunbridVs sido - Tae inister of Justice replied to Mr Fisher in an exceedingly spirited and completely convincing speech. Froir. ail quarters and both sides of _ the House came the most unqualified praise and approval of the Commissioner's administration, and the opinion was freoly and openly ex-' pressed that it woukl be a fit and proper thing for Inspector Ponder now to retire. It was the very -worst tlimg that the Insnector's friends could possibly have done to allow the matter to come upon the Hoor of the House.