PARLIAMENT.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1292, 3 September 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, 1. The Post sounds the warning note to the Ministry at the danger of their position, and hints a serious defection from their ranks. This has been the current lobby talk for some time past, and it seems evident from the fact that the Premier stated that Government would not oppose the Gold Duty Abolition Bill that they do not themselves like the look of matters for next session, it being now certain that a hard compact party, outside of either Grey or Montgomery, has been formed. Fifteen of the most popular men in the House belong to the party, the infusion of new Hood being a strong point. Another rumor current is tl.at

inimedialtey upon the session closing,., all the Ministers except Atkinson, Rolleston, and Bryce will resign, but this I believe to be incorrect, although it is certain that Wbitaker wished to get rid of office. September 2. Nearly the whole of yesterday afternoou was devoted the- House toa debate on the petition of the convict" George Longhurst, who was found guilty of rape on a little girl under eight years of age in 1880, and sentenced to ten years and two floggings. The child and her father were tried last year, and found guilty of conspiring to secure the conviction of Longhurst, but the verdict against thena was quashed by the Court of Appeal, on the ground that, according to law, it was impossible for a child to conspire with anyone for any purpose whatever, and Longhurst on this had to remain in gaol. The Public Petitions Committee bad brought up a report, in which they recommended that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. On the question that the report do now be laid on the table, and be referred to the Government for consideration, Shaw moved, by way of amendment, that it be referred to the Government for their "favorable" consideration. It appeared in the course of the debate that such a serious doubt I j existed as to the prisoner's guilt as !to justify his immediate release. It appeared that when the Government was petitioned for- Longhurst's release His Excellency asked the two Judges who tried Longhurst and the Adames for their opinion of the case. That opinion was of a confidential nature, but the result was the Governor was not pleased to exercise Her Majesty's prerogative of graating a pardon as to disturb the sentence which Longhurst was then undergoing. The real backbone to the opposition that was being offered to his release was, after all, that there was only the verdict of one jury against another, and, moreover, in the second trial there was not the evidence of Adams and his daughter. Mr Shrimski seconded the amendment and along discussion followed. A further amendment asking for Longhurst's immediate release was negative, on the gronnd that it was establishing a dangerous precedent to make the House -a sort of criminal court of appeal. On the question being put the amendment was carried. The evening sitting was occupied by the third readings of several measures which had survived the ordeal of the I second reading, and passed through Committee, but nothing of importance occurred. A sitting of the House, to close up arrears of work, was held to-day, and the House will also sit to-night. The Gold Duty Abolition Bill was thrown out by the Legislative Council. The House met at 2.30 p.m. today. Mr Pyke gave notice of motion that "It is essential for the good government and well-being of the Colony that provision should be made for the establishment of local government in the South Island.