IN THE LOBBIES. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Last Night.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1243, 17 June 1880, Page 2

IN THE LOBBIES. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Last Night.

The lastesb sensations aye : — First: Tlie cleclaralion of the Premier that they will accept Sir George Grey's Bill for the Abolition of the Property Tax as a vote of no confidence. The debate will be taken to-morrow night.—Secondly : Mr Bryce'a Native Statement, which appears to have "b.igged the political wind" of honorable members south of Cook's Straits.—Thirdly : The passage of the clauses to legalising the totalisator in the Upper House. There is no doubt that the Native statement has completely killed the land purchase. There was an Opposition caucus today. Thirty-three were present, and eight more said to be accounted for. I don't believe this. The numbers at present on a division would be :—Government, 48 ; Opposition, 38. If there were any change in this it would be in favor of the Government. On the question of whether there should be a plurality of votes in the different constituencies at General Elections, old "Willie" came out tremendously strong. He defended the vote, and turning to the Opposition, he reminded them that most of their seats had been gained by plural voting, especially Mr Sheehan'a for Rodney, years ago, " and without him and his aid (said the plucky old slogger), you would never have come within cooey of the Government benches, for he made you and sustained you." A rather good yam is going the rounds of the lobbies about an encounter between two knights. Sir W. Fox was standing talking to. Mr Fox, secretary to the Premier^ when Sir George Grey came up and smilingly remarked, •• Ah, Fox, if I were Samson how easily could I now tie you two together, and let you loose amongst the possessions of my enemies;" whereupon retorted the brand-new scion of the equestrian order (rather rudely it must be confessed), " And after that, Sir George, you would not have far, like Samson, to look for the jawbone of an ass." I see the member for Waipa is moving in the matter of the pay of the railway employees, and Mr Potter's classification of wools. The idea of the latter is much thought of here amongst flock-owners. Matters will soon be lively now. Brodie, or the " Big Pump," as his friends call him, has arrived, and has kindly given his sanction to the Government policy.