(From the Anglo-Australian Telegraph Agency) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Friday.

Waikato Times, Volume 356, Issue VII, 25 August 1874, Page 2

(From the Anglo-Australian Telegraph Agency) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Friday.

Upon the House resuming, The Hon Mr Vogel stated that acting upon the requeet of the committee he brought down a clause to be inserted in the Public Works Advance Bill providing that £15,000 should be given to Wellington in connection with the Manawatu land claims, but that the money should be devoted to public works submitted to the Minister of Works for approval, and that the interest and sinking fund should be charged against the province. Ho informed the House that he considered the claim unjust, and that Government would oppose it. Mr Brandon objected to the debate, which was closed, being re-opened by the Government opposing the appropriation at every stage. Mr Macandrew said that if the colony owed Wellington the amount it should give the money unfettered, and let them throw it into the sea if they liked. The House had already sanctioned the appropriation by a majority of four. Mr Fitzherbert i The colony acknowledged it owed Wellington L 15,000 — (cries of "No, no," and " Hea^r, hear " ; considerable noise) and the Premier, in a vindictive spirit, and in the plenitude of his power, said he would lend you the money, and charge you interest and sinking fund. That was a new way of paying old debts. Still* although it was hard lines, he would accept the clauses, restrictions and all; but would tell ths hou geiitlcniiiii at the head of the Government if he or any other man treated the House in that way he would not long have a majority at his back. . The Premier gave the most unqualified denial that the Speaker's report admitted that the colony owed Wellington £15,000; It was a gross misstatement. He denied emphatically being actuated by any feeling of vindictiveness against Wellington or the Superintendent. He had done all a man could do to promote the prosperity of Wellington and in extricating her from her difficulties. He had experienced moi*e trouble from the Superintendent and the Provincial Secretary of Wellington than from all the other provinces put together. Had the Government power to remove the Superintendent they would have done so over the Audit case, and was confident the House would have vindicated him. Mr Fitzherbert [reiterated the charges, and accused the Premier of conduct unworthy of a Prime Minister in the Audit case, and of colluding and conspiring with members of the Provincial Council, and threatened the Premier that he would not long wield his power. Mr Fox defended the Premier, and said that during the four years he had been at the head of the Ministry, Wellington could not possibly have had a more auxious, indefatigable, and truer friend than Mr Vogel. He went on to detail the shockingly depressed state of Wellington at that period, and enumerated the many specific acts of assistance the province received from the Government. He strongly protested against this constant whine like an old blind beggar man with a dog and dish crying out, " Pity the borrows of a poor old man," and poor persecuted Wellington. He challenged the hon member to prove a single instance of persecution or injustice. After more discussion, Mr Pearce regretted that the Premier and Superintendent could not argue peaceably. A division was called, and the clauses defeated by 31 to 25. The report of the Ward-Chapman Committee was read. It stated that the Otago Daily Times got the telegrams from Mr Macassey. It did not show how he got them. The evidence shewed distinct charges of pei'jury against some one. It recommended the appointment of a Royal Commission to more thoroughly investigate the case. It found that there had been irregularities at the Telegraphoffice, Oamaru ; but that the clerks gave evidence so frankly and straightforward that the committee recommended that their misconduct be overlookrd.