TELEGRAMS.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1091, 24 May 1882, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

♦ (from our own correspondents.) Wellington, May 23. The Speaker took the chair at 2-30 p.m. Fourteen members, who had not previously been sworn, took oath, and their seats. H elating to interrupted business, Major Atkinson notified that on Thursday next, he would move that Mr Hurst be appointed Chairman of Committees. The Colonial Treasurer asked for leave to move without notice, the following motion : — " That a committee be appointed to enquire and report to this House, whether in their opinion the punishment imposed by section 17 and 18 of the Corrupt Practices Act, 1880, is unreasonably severe, and whether it is expedient that the law in this respect should be altered, and to what extent . The committee to consist of Messrs Montgomery, Turnbull, Wynn, Williams, Connolly, Rutherford, Col. Trimble, and the mover." Major Atkinson explained that if this motion were carried, the Government proposed not to move for the issue of a writ for the Stanmore seat until after the report had been brought up. Leave for permission was granted, and the motion was then agreed to without debate. The lobby talk to-day is stale, flat, and unprofitable. Very few members put in an appearance during the morning, and those who did turn up did not remain more than a few minutes. The staple of the conversation referred to the vacant Chairmanship of Committees ; no action seems to have been taken upon it so far. With regard to moving any amendment to the Address in Reply, it is said that Sir George Grey has written to Macandrew and Montgomery, expressing his willingness to support any attempt to turn out the present Government ; but should that object be attained he would reserve his right to act as his own judgment might suggest, or the force of circumstances dictate. Appearances point very strongly to the probability of the first sharp party strug gle of the session taking place on the West Coast Peace Prevention Bill, which Bryce will introduce. Auckland, May 22. Pakara and Epiha were brought up to-day on charge of shooting Daly Williams, with intent to murder, and have been remanded till the 31st to get necessary witnesses. This afternoon they were sent to Mount Eden hand-cufled to each other by way of precaution. A boat is missing from Coromandel containing Thomas Warner, his son, and D. Ball. Ciiristchurch, May 22. Several burglaries have occurred in

country districts and on Sunday night three men broke into Watson's at Papanui and were fired on by the inmates. Blenheim, May 23. At an inquest on the body of Balard who shot himself in his tent in the Onamalutu Valley, the jury returned a I verdict of felonfle-se.