CLOSING SCENES OF THE SESSION OF 1892.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4243, 14 October 1892, Page 3

CLOSING SCENES OF THE SESSION OF 1892.

(fly Our Wellington Correspondent). Wellington, Thursday. The closing hours of the session of 1892 wereraarked by adisplay of bitternesa and porsoual feolingon the part of both sides of the House, never witnessed before in the Halls of our Legislature. Everyone took advantage of the debate on tho second reading of tho Appropriation Billand to venthis personal spleen in the most oui spoken nwnoer. The Acting-Premier, egaed on by the exhortations of his confreres with cries of "give it to them," "smash them," and sundry otlier polito ejaculations, lashed himself into fury as ho descanted on tho sins of the Opposition in impeding business i by their brutal obstructions. W " Seventy hours debate on the Land "and no less than eleven hours wasted over one clause," Following up his general abuse of the Opposition by a violent attack on their leader. To which tirade Mr" Tom " McKenzie, Mrßolleston's faithful henchman, was speedily on his feet to reply to tho attack on his chief. Right manfully he spoke, too, upholding the right of bis party to fair criticism and col - pletelyanniliilatingtheActing-Preij-ier's statements with regard to the obstructive tactics of the leader of the Opposition, and our " honoured leader" as he called him and his somewhat hnrsh voice softened with affection as he defended his chief with characteristic Scotch loyalty. Then followed the Bruce, as with sonorous voice and measured accent he warned the Acting-Premier that next year if a different tone was not adopted by the Government, he (Bruco) would put on his fighting

armour and meet them with thefr own weapons, a course, he went on say, ns the fire of battle gleamed in his eye and his rugged weather-worn features weie warmed by indignation, he had never adopted before, but would bo compelled to use in future should the vilo abuse and hectoring from the Government benches continue. He also spoke in terms of warm regard of Mr Rolleston, as did all the other Oppositionists who rose, demonstrating clearly the hold this grand old gentlemnn has over the affections of his party, insinuations to the contrary from the other side of the House notwithstanding. Mr Buchanan managed to got in a final word about the Weraiti road again and having fired a Parthian shot at the Minister for Lands in the shapo of a remark that only those of "the right colour" could ever expect right or justice from the Government, sat down. The Minister warmly replied, defending his action in not using the warrant for the taking of the road on tho grounds of the old coni--glaint, that the Beetham and BuchaJfih properties were solely to bo benefitted by tho road if it were made. Apparently from tho latest remarks of tho Minister the construction of this road is as far off as ever, Mr Hogg also spoke, or rather bellowed, hurling invectives across the floor of thß House at his Wairarapa colleague, taking up the "gross injustice "cry and vituperating all the large landholders in the Wairarapa in general, and the gentlemen above mentioned in particular. After nearly breaking everyone's' tympanum, tho valiant Hogg collapsed, to tho relief of all, and was followed by Mr Scobio McKenzie and Sir John Hall. The latter administering a a scathing rebuke to the member for Peninsular (Mr Earnsbaw) for his constant and impertinent interruptions. A rebuke so severe and scorching that the Hon, gentleman blushed scarlet and even his own party looked ashamed of him. "Shut up Eamshaw," said Mr W. P. Reeves, and up" he was completely. The Moo. gentleman, said Sir John, his voice trembling with indignation, „si rude, sir, most grossly rude, but no doubt by next session ho will learn that boorish interruptions and impertinence will not be tolerated in this House." And all said, "hear, hear," some openly and others under their breaths, but all wero with Sir John. Ho administered a lesson that impressed the House most deeply and should bear good fruit in tho future i Let us hope so, there is a vast amount ; of room for improvement. The final speech of the evoning was i made by the Minister for Labor and [ Education, who was in bis happiest and best mood, he delivered himself of,a speech teeming with wit and i humour, sarcastic but not abusive, i forcible but not offensive, a speech that sent every one away for : the night in a good humour. The i closing scenes on Tuesday were mainly notable for the very able i speeches of Mr Bolleston and the i .ajfog Premier on tho occasion of the ' tjnrd reading of tho Appropriation ' Bill. Mr Bolleston gave an enthußi- i astic review of the work of the session, condemning in temperate language, : but with marked emphasis, the shilly shally and overbearing policy of the Government, their habit of springing legislative surprises on an unprepared House, their want of candour and political honesty, and their inability to meet in a fair spirit, criticism of , their measures. The Hon, gentleman concluded his speech by an eloquent peroration urging members not to ; sacrifice their principles to their party, < and reminding Ministers that thoy were attempting an impossibility in trying to solve the great social questions of tbo day by revolutionary : legislation, questions, he stated, which could only bo solved by timo and not by the interference of parties on any side of the House. The Acting Premier replied in a really clover speech, full of much robust good : nature, which had the effect of brush- ; intaway much of tho feeling of irri- i talfe which has been existing lately. T)uring the time that the Speaker ; and the Clerk of the House were absent at Government House, obtaining the Governor's signature and assent to the Appropriation Act, the usual antics were indulged in in tbo lobby. Grave and reverend legislators were to bo observed hurdle-racing , over chairs, or trying various feats of skill and strength usually relegate dto their juniors. Here was to be seen a Minister of tho Crown, with his boots off, toeing the mark for a standing jump in friendly competition with a deadly political enemy, whilo shouta of laughter and applause greeted each effort. In the House a Mock Parliament k vat |n full swing with toe, genial

• " Dick" Kt'ovcs in the chair expound--1 ing Parliamentary procedure, and laying down points of order with a - burlesque solemnity laughably siraif lar to the real Bimon Pure. Various ■ measures wore introduced, discussed, l and disposed of with a rapidity it would bo well to imitato in ) earnest, The member for Waitemata ■ (Mr Jackson Palmor) having moved ) that this House do now adjourn to Bellamy's tho question wan put and carried unanimously. The member for the Bulk (Mr E. J. O'Oonor) raised a point of order that the Houso was not in supply nor in possession of ioui/n anil mians, tho Speaker (pro tern) promptly ruled that the lion member who bad moved the adjournment, was responsible for tho omisf moii and ho would therefore leave the ■ chair at onco and order the Hon mem--1 bcr to mako provision at Bellamy's accordingly. Several members forth" with seized tho rash and unfortunate Jackson-Palmer, forced Colonel Eraser's best silk hat on his devoted head,and hurried him out of tbe chamber, the House following in a body to go into supply at the Hon gentleman's expense. Presently tho division bell rings

again, tho members assemble and tho Speaker informs the Houso that the Governor has given his assent to the Appropriation Act. The ActingPremier rises and moves the adjournment of the House for one week, the question is put and carried and the session of 1892 is at an end, Parliament will bo formally prorogued by proclamation in the Gazette before the week expires, and there is thus no necessity for Hon. members to wait longer in Wellington, they may return to the bosom of their families with the proud consciousness of having at least done full justice to themselves, by the passing of (he Payment of Members Bill, if tliey have not by their action in Parliameiit attended to the quite secondary consideration of benefitting the Colony by legislation, for which purpose it apparently has not struck them they have been scut to Wellington by their constituents, Kosmos.