LATEST WELLINGTON NEWS. (BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1542, 23 May 1882, Page 3

LA TEST WELLINGTON NEWS. (BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

"Wellington, Last Night. Thk writs for Franklin North and Wakanui have been issued, and the elections will take place on the 9th of June, and the writs are returnable on or before the 30th June. H.M.S. Nelson is expected to airive here next week, and it is thought that Sir Aithur Gordon will make his visit to Fiji in her instead of the Miranda, us he had intended. A meeting of the Opposition members was held to-day, Mr Hutchinson in the chair. Mr Macandrew stated that the meeting had been called by Mr Montgomeiy and himself for the puiposc of conferring on matters essential to the pioper conduct of the busine&s in the House. It was essential that the party should agree to unite under the leadership of borne one member, and he was prepared, if required, to propose a name as leader. It was then suggested that the principle of union under one leader should be affirmed, but that on account of the number of members not yet in Wellington, it was inexpedient to proceed to an immediate election. Thi& was agreed to, and a resolution, moved by Mr Macandrew and seconded by Mr Montgomery, was agreed to, " That one recognised leader be appointed for the paity, and that the election of such take place as soon as possible after the arrival of absent members of the p<uty." Messrs. \V. J. Steward and J. C. Brow n have consented to act as Opposition whips until a leader is appointed. A deputation, consisting of Mebsrs. Colonel Brett, J. C. Brown, O'Callaghan, Mclllwaith, McMillan, Postlethwaite, J. Wilson, Hurst, Peaison, J. McKenzie, P. Buchanan, and J. W. Thompson, interviewed Messrs Rolleston and Win taker to-day, with reference to the small bird nuisance. They expiessed a wish for the passage of a bill trained on the basis of a bill introduced by Mr Saunders last session, to give power to county councils and town district boards to appropriate sums for the destruction of .small birds injurious to crops, out of ordinary rates ; and if requested by a petition of one-thhd of the Mtcpoyeis, to levy a special rate for such pmpo&c of tluee half-pence in any riding, udiugs, or poition theicof, over the distiict affected ; or over the whole county or borough, of a half-penny ; and over town districts of not exceeding one penny. The dcpulation offered to iolie\e Government of the charge of the bill in the Hou&e, but asked Ministers to take charge of, or a&sist to the utmost its passage in the Council. Mr llolleston promibcd to assist the bill to the utmost in the House, and Mr Whitakcr promised the same in the Council. Mr fStewaid will give notice of the bill to-morrow.