SPORTING NEWS.

itiiie Association agent at Christ r\. that at a meeting of the -ttee of the Canterbury Jockey Club ""^jo v the sentences of disqualifica. • oassed by the South Canterbury Club on G. Rutherford, Malcolm ' % ah. Kerr, and the mare Princess 0 fwere confirmed. Mr P. Campbell ' iffned his position as a member of Handicap Committee.

POLICE COURT.-THIS DAY.

fflflforeH. 6- Seth Smith, Esq., E.M., and ™. ' Mr Moody, J. P.) „„- _one person -was fined 5s and cost_ iora first offence. \t o JjAwftjl' Means.—Five disreputable j, meters, viz-. Martha Custen, Margaret h tstoff Jane French, Catherine Cummins j Alary Ann Dixon were charged with jj n "k2 n o lawful means of support.— goners were sentenced to six months' ■mnrisonnient. URCEKY.— Thomas Floyd was charged ■lh stealing a guernsey and pair of Hers, valued at 24s 6d, the property of Thn Lomez, between the 22nd and 25th Smber.— Prisoner pleaded guilty, and « sentenced to one month's imprison- Michael Knox pleaded guilty S stealing a coat, trousers, penknife, and !L of tobacco, the property of Timothy jLes ° ntne 6fcll October.—There was a I nor list of previous convictions against and he was sentenced to six Lais'hard labour. FiftLVG to Support.—William Charles toll was charged with disobeying an order for the support of his wife, and with all ow ns the sum of £35 15s to be in arrears.— ifis case was adjourned till the 21st, to enable defendant to settle the matter out of ■jjjf UNTiArPY Hi7SBA>-D.—Mr O'Meagher made application that His Worships should ,jry toe order made against Richard Jlorroff for the support of his wife. He stated that Morrow had a very bad time with his wife, who had struck him t n the head with a billet of wood, snd had neglected her three children. Jlorroff had been unable to obtain the sureties ordered by the Court, and as ho led sole charge of the children, he asked that the sum should be named. His Wor iMp said he could not do anything in the natter, and Morrow was ordered into cus tody pending the finding of sureties. AssAtTLT.—Arthur Vicary was charged jrith assaulting William Fynan on the Ist December by striking him in the face with Us clenched fist.—Mr O'Meagher appeared forplaintiff, MrS. Hesketh for defendant.— lUppearedfrom the evidence given that the parties were both in theemploymentof Messrs Jlacky, Logan and Co. An altercation took Am between them on Thursday last, when several blows were struck by the defendant. Hefirm had in consequence retrenched by disposing , of the services of the informant, aid retained the services of the defendant, ud upgn this point Mr O'Meagher re marked that strangely enough the man who tad got the worst of the alteration had the TOrst of it still, and he now sought remedy at the hands of the Court.—Wil liam Lynan deposed thai ho had been in the employ of Macky, Logan, and Co., as porter. The defendant was storeman. and they had some words about the placing ef goods on a cart. The defendant used fee very bad language, and struck wit ness on the face without any provocation. Readmitted having pitched one parcel into lis cart, in consequence of which the de fecdanl) remonstrated.—Gordon Lyon de jJded that the complainant was throwing parcels on the cart, some bad language was used, and Vickery struck Tyman on tie eye. He also sdw complainant pick np a stone and heard him tell Vickery sot to strike him again.—Arthur Vickery, teuian at Macky, Logan, and Co., deposed tlat he remonstrated with Tyman for tliwmg parcels into a cart. . Tyman con tinked throwing parcels, and they had a lit of an argument and blows were struck. % denied swearing at the complainant, HcepUhathe called him "a big pig headed B|man." The complainant used bad language and he threatened him with a tta in his hand.—His Worship decided to an assault had been committed and tliatiheie had been little provocation. A J»of£sand costs would be imposed.

DISREPUTABLE HOUSES.

BUGDEff ROW RAIDED BY THE

POLICE,

te some time past complaints have been iwived by the police, because of a dis. orderly house Occupied by sevei-al disrepu. taMe women, in Bugden Alley, a lane Wing from Abercrombie-street. It was W«d that the women harboured men, tfofeffc the house at all hours of the night. •Ml early in the morning, and that the wigMJiJurs were constantly annoyed by ttrbances there. Sergeant Lyons and Constable Christie were told off to make ■wpuries, and the result was that last wening they proceeded to the house Seated and arrested five women, all *'!' known to the police, from being wuld in one house and one in another lODsei; There names are Martha Cushon Mw MoKenzie) Margaret Baistow, Jane ™ch| Catherine Cummins, and Mary Dion.'-These prisoners were brought wore the Police Court this morning and with having no lawful visible timiot support. Each in turn pleaded tatttey had means of support but were to produce evidence in support of j^plea. Evidence was given by Sergeant wand Constable Christie, who deposed PW arrest of the prisoners in a house jwoid of furniture in Bugden Alley. Jnese vritnewes and Constable McConnell *? gave evidence as to the character of the PWers, and.lists of the previous convic ts of each" were put in- It was stated prisoners were women of ™«oly bad character, the companions of "jjfwfndprostitutes, that they had been "Pfctedlyconvicted on charges of drunken ffi vagrancy, larceny, etc., too »jiß to mention. Each of the 2«? pleaded not guilty, and pa that they had sufficient means Vftitoto; One prisoner was stated to be pother of another, and their ages ranped 7?-$? to about 65 years of age. The J§ fere heard separately, and then the gwa were placed in the dock together. r m v otßhl p sentenced each of the prisoners ninths hard labour, and they left the their thanks tor the kind- them. •

ml« of the English Courts Jjeacnon; brought against Messrs Hall by Messrs Haslam and Co. for iff! ■ & emenfc °f patents connected feW is in favour of the j*trf/i action being dismissed. This m j D ? l 0 New Zealand frozen meat fe finest on the fire at Dewar's tetdu f' Ofcago, the jury returned a the place had been wilfully set trite,,! % persons vii known. The ftjfEf %X- when the alarm was HißuL, re was on lire in two places, WJ{ c CaSh bQ x, containing £14, had j, . en °Pen and the money extracted. %»«! be foun< * in ou r advertising » we members of St. James' auxiliary %mZ Rested to meet as usual on

LATEST POLITICAL NEWS.

[by telegraph.— own reporter.]

Wellington, thi3 day.

Extended Sitting Hours. The Premier is determined that the busi ness shall be pushed through before Christ mas, notwithstanding the stonewalling tactics that are being resorted to for the purpose of obstructing their retrenchment measures. He has invited the House to meet to-day at 11 o'clock in the forenoon for replies to questions. ■He also intends to move to-day fcr a sus pension of Standing Orders forbidding the taking of new business after 12.30 a.m. Sir J. \ ogel complained this meant a sitting of 24 hours at a stretch. Mr Fish, the boss obstructionist, made a protest against the extended hours. The Land BUI. The Waste Lands Committee have reached the 27th clause of the new Land Bill, and hope to be able to complete their report to-day. Amongst the more import ant alterations are the following provisions, made for the ballot system instead of by sale by auction, a sub-section being added, under which the deferred payment settlers who forfeit their holding shall be refunded in full the sum for improvements, instead of 75 per cent, less charges of sale. In the case of small grazing runs, improvements are to be allowed for to the extent of five times the actual rent, provided that they are greater than £50. The clause originally pro vided for three times the rent. It is expected that the clause abolishing the Land Boards will be struck out, but their present powers will be exceedingly limited. Bell's Claim to the Keronadecs. While the Kermadec clause in the Land Bill was under the consideration of the Waste Lands Committee yesterday, a pro posal was made that the grant to Bell should be increased to 200 acres, and also that he should have a larger area for pas toral purposes. It appeared, however, that certain persons in Dunedin have entered a protest against Bell being recognised in the matter at all. It is alleged that he sold the land to a Joint Stock Company formed, and registered to work them, and one of the conditions of sale was the pay ment of £100 to Bell and also some paid-up shares in the Company. On thia becoming known to the Committee, the proposal to treat Bell more favourably was withdrawn, and it was even suggested he was not en titled to any consideration whatever. Jottings. Mr Carrolls motion praying that the distinctions between the two races may be removed, has lapsed. The Oamaru Harbour Board Loan Bill has passed the Legislative Council. A Property Tax Amendment Bill raising the property tax to one penny has been introduced. Sir G. Grey considers most of the Govern ment policy bills rubbish. Mr O'Conor complains of the unwarrant able dictation which the old members are subjected to by Mr W. P. Reeves as to how they shall vote. Mr Chamberlain is patenting his new process for. rabbit destruction. It is said to bo on a principle somewhat similar to that advocated by Mr G. E. Williams, of Auckland. Major Atkinson gives notice of a Naval and Military Settlers and Volunteer Land Bill.

Mr O'Conor made a protest last night against Mr W. P. Reeves retailing lobby gossip, which his position a? member enabled him to overhear, in the columns of his paper. Ministers have abandoned the intention of abolishing the Southern Maori Elec torate.

Mr Seddon said that the Premier will bo in the cool shadas of opposition next session, and Major Atkinson retorted that in that event he would do his duty and would not prove an obstructionist. One of the new policy bills extends power to complete native land purchase till July Ist next, and authorises leases of native land to be made for a further term of 14 years. Mr R. Reeves is asking the Government if they intend to impose a license fee on to bacconists as prayed for. A Crown and Native Land Repeal Bill has been introduced by the Government.

OUR GOLDFIELDS

(BY TELEGRAPH —OWX CORRESPONDENT.)

Thames, this day. Trenton —Operations were to-day com menced on behalf of the Trenton Gold Mining Company, No. 4 level of the Saxon mine. Three shifts are to be employed in the extension of the drive. Cambria. —A band of mineral (3 or 4 inches) is still in the lode of the drive en the main reef at No 3 leveL Colours of gold are oc casionally seen. Moanatairi.— Driving has been discon tinued on the reef at No. 3 level of the Caledonian, owing to the lightness ot the air The lode here is of large size, being about twelve feet, and the quartz carries some splendid mineral, including a large per centage of iron pyrites, though no gold t,as been observed. Rising is proceeding on what is known as Rickard's leader a few feet back from the Caledonian boundary, and encouraging prospects are being met with. A trial parcel of 4 loads from here produced 7ozs 19wts gold. Saxok—lslb picked stone, sth stope, and 101b reef in drive hillward of rise, flo. 4 level, close to Trenton boundary. ? Cambria.-The fortnightly cleaning up to-day produced 3480z5. gold, \ obtained as folloivs 1-225 loads quartz, 2590 m. gold .; 571bs. specimens, 89ozs. A parcel of 141bs. nicked stone >vas secured to-day from the sixth stope west on No 1 leader. Saxon. 15 lbs of picked stone was ob tained to-day from the fifth stope, and ten lbs from the reef, in the drive at No 4 level The whole of the reef has now been broken down up to the Trenton boundary, and work was commenced on behalf of the Trenton Company this afternoon. The country in the face is good sandstone, but the red: has pinched into 4 or 5 inches thick.

ADMIRAL FAIRFAX.

VISIT OF THE SQUADKON

TO AUCKLAND.

(BY TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, this day. HisExcELLENCYTHE Govebnor has received advice that Admiral Fairfax, Naval Corns 'minder in the Australian station purpose. Ron to Wellington. »

LEGISLATIVE AMENITIES.

PROMISCUOUS MUD-

THROWING.

SIR GEORGE GREY AND THE

PREMIER,

MUTUAL RECRIMINATIONS.

(by telegraph—special reporter.)

Wellington, this day. There haa only been one " brush " during the present session, and that was the " naming " incident, which resulted in on e hon. member being temporarily expelled from the Chamber while his conduct was under review, but a scene of a milder nature took place yesterday afternoon. Mr O|Conor, member for Westport, was the principal actor in the incident, which was probably due to the fact that, while in the late.Parliament he gave an unwavering adherence to the Stout-Vogel Cabinet, this session he has thrown in his lot with the present Ministry. Referring to this fact bir J. Vogel charged the member for Buller with being under the influonce of some hon. member on the Ministerial side of the House as to the way in which he recorded his vote.

This brought Mr O'Conor to his feet with an indignant denial of the charge made and he proceeded to say, "The leader of the Opposition should be the last man in this House to make such an imputation con cerning me, after he has acted the part of a tempter in the library at a time when it was in his power to give me a large return for my vote if it had acted as he desired." This avowal caused many voices to ask for the nature of the baits offered, and Sir J. Vogel also invited Mr O'Conor to un bosom himself.

The hon. member went on to say: " Well, sir, when I was in this House formerly, and the question was put of eject ing the Fox-Vogel Ministry from office, Sir Julius Vogel came to me and solicited my vote. I told him that I could not give it him, and he said, 'What do you want?' My reply was, 'To put out the Govern ment,' and he assured me that I could have anything I wanted for my vote. . Sir Julius Vogel: "It is quite impos sible for me to recollect a conversation that took place twelve or fourteen years ago, but to the best of my belief, there is not the slightest founda tion for the statement, and the hon. member's memory is entirely at fault. (Cries of 'Oh !') If I made an improper offer to the hon. gentleman, how is it that he has been on such friendly terms Avith me ever since ?"

It was anticipated that the matter would here drop, but Mr Kerr poured more fat in the fire by remarking that from what he knew of the member for Buller he had always understood that he was willing to sell his vote.

Mr O'Conor appealed to the Speaker, who asked that the accusation be with drawn, but instead of retracting, Mr Kerr tried to shift his ground by saying , he had heard the member for Buller charged with willingness to sell his vote, but he (the speaker) never believed it himself. Mr O'Conor said that, coming from the member for Waimea, the imputation might not be worth much, but he objected to such reflections being made.

The Speaker again ruled that the ob jectionable remark must be withdrawn. Mr Kerr expressed his willingness to withdraw anything (laughter), and assured the House that he had not meant to say anything offensive. He declared that he had defended Mr O'Conor from remarks made behind his back by members who did not dare make such remarks to his face.

The scene then ended.

THE PREMIER AND SIR GEORGE GREY.

Mutual Reorlminatlone,

In speaking to the Representation Bill Sir George Grey complained that his Law Practitioners Bill (which was loudly clamoured for by the colony) and his Land Settlement Bill, which was to relieve the unemployed difficulty, had been prevented from becoming law, while the Government were forcing on the country their policy bills, which he characterised as " rubbish." He charged the Premier with obstruction of measures framed for the benefit of the working-man. This aroused the Premier's anger and Major Atkinson arose and said that it was a comfort to find that there was one righteous man in New Zealand, but remarked that it was strange that from the time Sir George Grey was Governor of the colony till he ceased to .be a Minister, he never raised a finger to do a useful day's legislation to save the working man. Ho challenged the hon. member to prove that he had devised a single measure to raise the working man out of his difficulties. He averred that all Sir George Grey did was to talk, and charged him with laying the foundation of all the biggest estates in Canterbury, which were now causing so much trouble, and with expressing his intention to Sir Frederick Weld of founding a landed aristocracy in New Zealand. The hon. gentleman, fiercely facing the mem ber for Auckland Central, told him that his assertion that the majority at the back of the Government was due to their attitude over the Midland Railway question was un true, and was a thorough disgrace to the person who made it. He then reminded the House that Sir George Grey had been anxious to get him to assume office, but because he refused to bow down and wor ship that hon. gentleman, and to follow him servilely, he nad gone into Opposition. He (the Premier) denied that the country was crying out for the Law Practitioners' Act, and asserted that Sir Geo. Grey's Land Settlement Act was an utterly unworkable measure. To say that such bills would save the country was simply ridiculous, and he added that nothing but the hon. gentle man's egregious vanity, with which he was eaten up, could have induced him to make such a statement. Mr Fish resented the violent and un warrantable attack made on the member for Auckland Central, while Sir Julius Vogol said that the Premier's speech was unnecessarily violent. It was well known that Sir George Grey was in the habit of attacking him, but he invariably ab stained from replying thereto because he thought more than ordinary respect was due to an hon. member who had taken so active a part in the history of the colony. He eulogised Sir George Grey in connection with the early history of the colony, and said that the political education of people more recently was owing to the efforts of Sir George Grey. He declared that if Major Atkinson lived for a hundred years he would never confer a tithe of the benefits on the colony that Sir George Grey had done, and he would never make such an indelible im pression as that hon. member had made. Sir George, in defending himself, referred to his actions in Africa and in the early daye of New Zealand as proving what he had done to settle the land, and said he might have been one of the wealthiest men in New Zealand if he had liked to take ad vantage of the opportunities offered him. He denied emphatically that he had set up a landed aristocracy in Canterbury.

Three Auckland boys, ambitious, perhaps, to shine in the Legislative arena, have set out to walk from Auckland to Wellington. It is hoped they will abandon their rash enterprise before they go far.

THE REPRESENTATION BILL.

A LONG DEBATE.

MOTION FOR DELAY SUCCESSFUL.

MINISTERIAL DEFEAT

(BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN REPORTER.)

Wellington, this day. The scandalous waste of time which has characterised the recent sittings of the House was repeated last evening. The de termined obstructive tactics were resorted to for the purpose of preventing the bill red ucing the number of members to seventy from get ting into Committee. Notwithstanding the fact that between thirty and forty speeches were made on the motion for the second reading on Monday, the obstruc tionists succeeded in their threat to raise another debate on the motion of going into Committee. This discussion was com menced in the afternoon, and carried through the whole night, and obstruction was apparent throughout. Mr Barron rose at midnight, and made a practical protest against further infliction of autobiographical speeches, seli-laudation. and unearthing of musty reminiscences, which were weary ing to those members who were anxious to get the business of the country through. The discussion commenced at 3.30 p.m. on a motion for the committal of the Representation Bill. Mr Fish pro tested against any attempt to amalgamate the city electorates, and said that while pledged to vote for the reduction of mem bers, he saw no necessity for the passage of the bill this session, and also thought the proposed reduction too sweeping, and should therefore oppose the second l-eading. Dr. Fitchett supported the bill, as the people had determined in its favour, but thought that after its passage through Committee Representation Commissioners could be authorised to map out new electorates, and people be given an opportunity of determining whether the bill should be passed before the third reading was proposed. Messrs Taipua and Pratt opposed doing away with the Maori member for the South. Ac the evening sifctingthedebatewas resumed by MrSeddon who moved an amendment on going into committee, " That it is inadvisable that the Representation Bill proceed further than its second reading until the establishment of some similar form of local Government shall have rendered dependence on Parliament for local works unnecessary." In the course of the debate the quostion of town and country and freetrade or protection were incidentally raised. Sir J. Vogel who had on the previous night declared in favour of the bill, said that in consequence of new developments he would now support amendment and urged Government, _ in event of committal of the bill being carried, to alow commissioners to map out the new boundaries forthwith in place of wait ing for the discretion of the Governor as themeasuro directed. The Premier said Go vernment hoped to get the measure through the House, as it was one of their bills to give effect to their retrenchment scheme. Sir <T. Vogel said that from what Major Atkinson had now stated it appeared this bill was only part of the Government policy, which included im portant measures, and therefore he felfc justified in warmly espousing the amend ment for deferring consideration of the question till the other measures had been brought forward. At 1 a.m. Mr Seddon said that in deference to the wish of several members he would vithdraw his amend ment ac to whether the House desired to go into Committee on the bill The House divided on the committal of the measures, which was carried by 42 to 21. The follow ing is the division list:— Ayks, 42.—Allen, Anderson, Atkinson, Barron, Beetham, Bruce, Buchanan, Dod son, Fergus, Fisher, Fitchett, Goldie, Graham, Hamlin, Hislop, Hobbs, Hodgkin son, Jackson, Lawry, T. Mackenzie (Clubhn), McGregor, J. McKenzie (Wai hemo), Mitchelson; Monk, Newman, O'Con nor, Peacock, Pearson, Rhodes, G. F. Richardson (Mataura), Ross, Russell, Sey mour, W. J. Steward (Wainiate), W. D. Stewart (Dunedin West), Taipua, Tanner, Thompson (Marsden), Valentine, Ward, Whyte, Withy. Noes, 21. — Duncan, Fieldwiek, Fish, Fitzherberb. Grimmond, Guinness, Jones, Joyce, Kelly, Kerr, Leveetam, Loughrey, Macarbhur, Merchant, Moss, O'Callaghan, Parata, Percival, Seddon, Taylor, Vogel. Paies. — For: Ormond, Wilson, T. Thompson, Fulton, Cowan, Cadman, Hall, Mills, Izard. Aeainst: Pyke, Lance, Bux ton, Samuel, Turnbull, Moat, Ballance, Walker, Richardson. The House went into Committee on the bill soon after one o'clock and it was stated the Government intended to push the measure through in spite of all opposition before the House adjourned. The first division was taken on the proposal by Mr Moss, that the bill should nob come into operation till 31sb December 1888. This pro posal was defeated by 63 to 5. Mr Menteath then moved that the bill should have effect on expiration of Parliament by effluxion of time only. It was asserted that this was a covert attempt on the parb of half-hearted supporters of the measure to kill or emas culate it. On the other hand it was held that it would be a safeguard against arbitrary dissolution. The proposal was discussed till 2.30 a.m., and negatived on the division by 36 bo 30. Mr Downie Stewart immedi ately divided the House on the proposal that the bill should nob come into operation till October 28th, 1889, and this was carried on division by 36 to 31. This merse was not expected by the Premier, who at once moved to report progress. He said that he had intended bo go bhrough with the bill, and his reason for adjourning was nob the lateness of the hour. Progress was therefore reported at a quarter bo three. The Government will decide bo-day what action they will take.

Later.

Government Threaten to Resign.

The Government declare that unless a reversal of last night's vote is carried they will resign.

THE POLITICAL CRISIS.



Immediately the House met at 11 this forenoon the Premier moved an adjourn ment till 2.30. saying that this step was necessitated by last night's vote. The questions on the Order Paper would be deferred till to-morrow, but on re-assemb ling this afternoon he would make a state ment as to the intentions of the Govern ment. The adjournment was at once agreed to. A meeting of Government supporters has been called to consider the position. Auckland Opinions. Mr Mitchelson has received the following telegram from a prominent resident of Auckland : —" Regret Government defeat. Public feelin? here is entirely with you. Resignation would be public calamity." Mr D. Goldie has received the following from the Auckland Financial Reform As sociation : — " The committee earnestly trusts that Auckland members will loyally support Mr Goldie in his efforts to have the number of the House reduced to fifty." What Mr Mosa Says. Mr Mosb did not vote last night, but will support a reversal of Mr, Powiue'a Stewart

amendment, on the ground that it would be unconstitutional to aeprive ministers of the right to to a dissolution. The opinion is freely expressed that the amendment was derived to protect members from the probability of a dissolution or from threats ofa dissolution by the Government. It is considered certain that the amendment will be reversed, but the _ Government require to move, and will insist on a more equal support from their party if they are to keep office. . The Division List. The following is the division list on Mr Downie Stewart's amendment -.—Ayes (36) ---— Blake, Duncan, Feldrick, Fish, Fitchett (Teller), Fitzherbert, Fraser, Grey, Grem mond, Guinness, Hodgkinson, Jones, Joyce, Kelly, Kerr, Levestam, Loughrey, Macken zie, M. J. S. Marchnt, Mackenzie, J. Moat, Newman, O'Callaghan, Parata, Reeves, R, A. J. (Teller), Reeves, W. P., Ross, Seddon, Smith, Steward, W. J.Stewart. W. D. Stuart-Menteath, Taipua, Taylor, Valentine Ward. Noes(31): Allen, Anderson, Atkinson, Barron, Beefcham, Bruce, Buch anan, Carroll, Dodson, Fergus, Fisher, Goldie, Graham, Hislop, Hobbs, Jackson, Lawry, Mac Arthur, McKenzie, T. Mc- Gregor (Teller), Mitchelson, Monk, Pea cock, Pearson (Teller), Rhodes, Richard son, G. F. Seymour, Tanner, Thomp son, R. (Marsden) White and Withy. Pairs (ayes) Vogel, Walker, Ballance, Pyke, Lance, Burton, Samuel, Turnbull, Moate, Richardson, Percival; (noes) O'Conor, Mills, Hall, Ormond, Wilson, T. Thomp son, Cowan, Cad man, Izard and Russell. The reverse suffered by the Government on the Representation Bill is the talk of the lobbies this morning. The position, however, is clearly denned. The Govern ment intend to resign unless the decision is reversed, and they meet immediately to decide more fully on their course of action. They complain that for ten days they have been subject to the insults of the Opposition, and that their own supporters have stood by and allowed this. The Op position are jubilant at the outcome of their tactics. The latest authoritative information is that immediately the House meets at 11 o'clock Major Atkinson will make a state ment and ask for an adjournment. The Opposition Active. The Opposition are whipping hard against the reversal of last night's vote, even though the Government make it a party question. I have Mr Stewart's authority for saying that both Messrs Allen and Bar ren expressed themselvesasinunison withhis amendment, but being strongly in favour of a reduced House they voted with the Government, as the Premier had threatened to drop the Representation Bill if the amendment were carried.

The conduct of Mr Downie Stewart in distinctly pledging himself during the election campaign to vote for a reduction of members, and then on the first chance proposing a resolution which virtually means killing the bill is strongly commented on. Mr Stewart asks me to explain that his motion was tabled, not with a view of kill ing the bill, but in order to prevent the Government from holding the power of dis solution "in terrorem" over the House in the same manner as the late Government acted, by threatening members that they held a promise of dissolution in their pockets. Messrs Scobie McKenzie, Marchant and Pyke hold that enlarged districts would strengthen the hands of town members, and would consequently aid the movement in favour of a Protective policy.

MINISTERIAL CAUCUS.

THE GOVERNMENT

SUPPORTED.

'A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY. I »

At a ministerial caucus held today, the Premier said hemustlookuponthe Represen tation BUI as a Government measure. The Government were pledged to the country that these policy measures should be carried. Whilst he recognised the right of individual judgment on the part of mem bers, still when a question of no confidence was before the House, as it certainly was this morning, he thought he should expect the loyal support of those who desired that the present Government should carry on the business of the country. He thought private members should be prepared to sink individual judgments on matters of that kind. He proposed now to recommit the Bill, and carry the clause objected to. If the Government were defeated upon that question they would resign, and then a new administration could take place. Speeches were made by Messrs Newman, Scobie McKenzie, Taipua, Marchant, Hoss, Moat and other Government supporters vyho had voted for the amendment. They ex plained that they had not known tho Go vernment had taken such a determined stand, and that if they had known a vote of no-confidence was involved, they would have voted the other way or else walked out of the House. Some said they would not vote with the Government. Others left it to be inferred that they would nob vote at all.

Mr Scobie McKenzie objected to mem bers being tied down too tightly, and Mr Menteath justified his own action, and said the Premier should have taken a more de finite stand in the beginning. Mr Fisher quite belie?ed that membersdid not understand the gravity of the position, as so many were inceneed at the obstruction to business offered, that they had gone out of the House in disgust. The following resolution proposed by Capt. Russell and seconded by Mr McKenzie (Clutha) was carried unanimously, " That in order to give the Government an assur ance of support, this meeting agrees that it is desirable to re-commit clause 2 of the Re reeentation Bill."

There were fifty members present at the caucus and three were accounted for. Mr Vincent Pyke presided. The meeting of the House this afternoon is waited with anxiety, but the Government are now confident of their position.

THAMES NOTES.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Thames, this day. Public Baths.

A.proposal is on foot to form a company here for the purpose of establishing public baths. An application has been made to the Harbour Board for the lease of a portion of the foreshore inside the intake, opposite Mr R. N. Smith's. Secondary Education. Some time ago the Governors of the High School decided to give free tuition to any scholars attending the local public schools who possessed Standard VI. certi ficates, but at the meeting to-day only six applications were received, and it was consequently decided to extend the time for receiving applications until the end of the year. The Timber Trade. The brigantine Clansman to-day com menced loading a cargo of 200,000 feet of white pine at Bagnall Bros.' Sawmill. One of the seamen, named Louis Gall, has been sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment for disorderly conduct and maliciously break ing glasses at the Pacific Hotel

The Gospel Temperance people are Bestir ring themselves. They will have a picnic at St. Heiier'e Bay next Saturday,

SUPREME COURT.

This Day.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

(Before Mr Justice Gillies.)

True Bills.—The Grand Jury yesterday brought in true bills in the following cases t —Walter James Kenealey, larceny; same, horse-stealing ; William Smith, false pretences (two charges); Arthur Mor ton and Charlee Roberts, uttering; Arthur Morton and Charles Roberts, larceny; James Marsh, larceny as a bailee; John Steeley, indecent assault. The Grand Jury to-day returned true bills in the following cases:—Alexander Orr Polley, attempted suicide; Patrick Bed ford and Margaret Bedford, larceny from the person; Charles Brown and William Henry Barfield, breaking and entering; Henry Heusch, Carl Bargotte, William Bargotte. and Jean Warlich, forcible entry; same, assault. Richard Hackett, killing a calf ; Same, stealing a calf; Samuel Clegg, manslaughter; Mary O'Connor, conceal ment ot birth.

No Teue Bill.—The Grand Juryreturned no true bill in the case of John Michael Knox and Thomas Floyd, breaking and entering. The men were discharged, but were immediately re-arrested on another charge. No Bill.—The Grand Jury returned "No Bill" against Mary O'Connor on the count of manslaughter, but found a true bill for concealment of birth.

The Chakge against Keneally.-Wal ter James Keneally was charged with horse stealing, and a number of witnesses ■were examined. — Mr Buckland addressed the jury for the defence, contending that the evidence was not sufficient to convict the accused.—His Honor said that the evidence in the case was very meagre, but it was for the jury to consider whether it was suffi cient.—The jury, after a few minutes, re tirement, brought in a verdict of not guilty. —His Honor then prepared to pass judg ment for the previous offence, of which the prisonerhadbeenfoundguilty. Mr Buckland pointed out to His Honor that the prisoner had already been three months in goal.— His Honor said that the Probation Officer had not reported favourably regarding the prisoner, therefore he could not deal with him under the First Offenders' Probation Act. His Honor also said that had the prisoner pleaded guilty to the theft of the watch, he would have dealt with him more leniently; but he would not give him a serious sentence, in the hope that he would do better in the future.—The prisoner was then sentenced to 12 months' hard labour.

Uttering. — Arthur Morton, alias Bil lings, alias Gardener, alias Howard, and Chas. Roberts, alias Jas. Lewis, were charged with uttering a forged cheque, with intent to defraud. —The prisoner Morten pleaded guilty.—-Roberts pleaded not guilty.—Mr Williamson conducted the prosecution on behalf of the Crown, and Mr Button ap peared for the accused Charles Roberts.— The evidence in this case was to the effect that the accused and Morton stayed at the boarding house of Mr Thomas Jackson at Whangarei. On the 12th Septembera cheque was tendered for payment, which purported to have been signed by Mr J. J. Austin. —Evidence was given in this case by Messrs Thomas Jackson, boardinghouse-keeper, Whangjerei, and Mr Nolan.—After hearing the evidence of these two witnesses Mr Button drew the attention of His Honor to the fact that there was nothing in the evi dence to connect the accused with the prisoner Morton who had already pleaded guilty.—His Honor directed the jury to acquit the accused, which was accordingly done.

Larceny.—Charles Roberts and Arthur Morton were then charged with the larceny of a trunk and 23 pairs of boots, the pro' perty of James Watts.—Morton pleaded not guilty, and Roberts pleaded guilty.— Sentence on Roberts was deferred until the case against Morton was heard.— On the Court resuming this morning, Arthur Morton appeared in answer to the charge of larceny. —Mr Watts, boot dealer in Queen-street, deposed to having a man named Roberts in his employ about the 25th of last August. He loEt a quantity of boots. Witness identified the articles produced in Court as his property. None of those boots were entered as having been sold. On the 28th August witness accom panied Detective Herbert to the Waitemata Hotel, where they went to No. 10 bedroom, where they found the trunk produced, in which were 23 pairs of boots. Never saw ac cused till he appeared in the Police Court.— George Shadgett, late manager for Mr Watts, deposed that he did not sell the boots produced. On the day the boots were missed be left the place for an hour in the charge of Roberts, and witness identified the boots produced as being Mr Watts' property.—George Hill,expressman, deposed to knowing the accused when he was runner for the Governor Brown HoteL He was engaged by witness to fetch a box from the rier Hotel for him. Witness subsequently took the box to the steamer. The prisoner gave his name as Billings.— John Endean, of the Waitemata Hotel, de posed that the accused stayed at his hotel on the 25th of August. He occupied No 10 bedroom, and gave the name of Mr Billings. —Detective Patrick Herbert deposed to recovering the property produced in No 10 bedroom at the Waitemata Hotel.— Constable Gordon, stationed at Whangarei, deposed to arresting the accused and another young man named Roberts on another charge. — This concluded the evidence. — The prisoner did not call evidence for the defence, but addressed the jury in his own behalf. He analysed the evidence, and pointed out various weak links in the chain of evidence brought against him. He admitted that the boots were in his possession, but there was no evidence to show that he stole the boots. Hβ there fore asked the jury to acquit him of the charge.—His Honor then reviewed the evidence. He pointed out that a man might be guilty of stealing if he was in company with the person vho committed the theft. —The jury then retired to consider their verdici.— 1 hey returned into Court with a verdict of "Guilty."—Charles Roberts wan also placed in the dock.—Mr Button pleaded for leniency in the treatment of his client, as he had been led astray by bad company. The prisoner Roberts up to this time had borne a good character.—His Honor, in sentencing Arthur Morton, expressed , sorrow that the prisoner should have already had three previous convictions recorded against him. ■•. He sentenced the prisoner to three years' penal servitude for each offence, the sentences to run concur rently.—His Honor said that while wishing to deal leniently with the prisoner Roberts, he could not, in justice to society, pass a lighter sentence than 18 months' imprison ment with hard labour.

Attempted Suicide. — Alexander Orr Polley pleaded guilty to having attempted to commit suicide on the 18th of October.— The accused attributed his attempt to the depressed state of his business and sleepless ness at night. This drove him to drink and culminated in him making the attempt. He asked for leniency, as he had a family to support.—His Honor referred to the attempt as a foolish and cowardly act to try and leave others to face the trouble which he dared not meet himself. As he had, how ever, suffered from the act, His Honor thought justice would be satisfied if he was bound over to keep the peace for twelve months, giving surety himself of £50.

False Pretences.— William Smith was charged with obtaining goods by certain false pretences from Mr Gold water.— Prisoner pleaded guilty.—William Smith was further charged with obtaining a quantity of goods from B. Levy by certain

fake preteaeea , :— tefehjs , ehargg) alia" a jurywasempanneired;=-j %9\ik l#en<3 tevyi general dealer} Reposed Id th§ VisifeingVhis festablishmenfi and giving Hie , name, of S: M: Pratt; Wite need deposed ie" giving, the , , prisoner ii quantity ef gdede, beHeViaghlni to.be Mr Pratt.— Sampson Matthew Pratb deposed that he was the real & M: Prat*, auctioneer and eommissioa agent: The prisoner brought furniture fed his martj firing the name of Smith, =-Beteetive Herbert deposed to arresting the prisoner", and a J 9O gave the Statement made by the prisoner to him; Ab 10 minutes te on§ e'eloeM the jury re-_ tired and at 2 p.m. returned into , court for further dlreotiens upon the evidence after whioh they again retired.- Indeoknt AsSAOTtf. —John gheahy pleaded guilty to havitig eommlbted an indecent assault upon Margaret Lynoh sa the 13th ofOotober. The prisoner said that he threw hunself upon the meroy of the eouri H j had a statement written Gttt Which he handed up to His Honor to rea4» His Honor, in passing sentence, said that he had carefully looked through the statement, and he was unable to be lieve anything but that he had been guilty of, one of the grossest offen ces of which a man could be guilty* Considering that this was his first offence he would pace a somewhat lenient sentence. That would be two years' imprisonment with hard labour and to be twice privrtely whipped to receive twenty-five lashes on each occasion. The first whipping to take place in one week, and the next in three months. Larceny as a Bailee.—James Marsh alias Pelly pleaded guilty of the larceny as a bailee of certain pro perties belonging to John Alexander Wilson on the 18th of ■Bejjejnjjer. 1886. His Honor sentenced the prisohevvto nine months imprisonment with hard labour.

GORED BY A BULL.

(BY TELEGRAPH —PBESS ASSOCIATION - .)

New Plymouth, this day. Asettleb named Pearn, living near Egmonfc Village, was shifting his bull when he was tossed by the animal, and whilst on the ground the bull gored him, breaking two of the man's ribs. His wife came to the rescue, and by her screams seemed to frighten the animal. Pearn is very badly hurt.

SEAL POACHING AT AUCKLAND ISLANDS.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Invercargiix, Tuesday. At the Police Court to-day, F. Drew, master of the schooner Awarua, and Denis Fox, mate of the vessel, were convicted of killing seals at Avckland Islands during the clos e season, and were fined as follows :—Drew, £40 for the offence, and £10 for the seals killed, and Fox, £5 for the offence, and £5 for, the seals killed. A further charge against the defendants of having 176 seal skins in their possessionat Auckland Islands was adjourned, council for the defendant Drew having raised a point that the Order in-Council issued prohibiting the taking of seals up to June, 1888, is ultra vires. There was practically no defence, except that Drew said he was only the navigator of the vessel, and had no control over the sealing party, but this plea the Court re fusen to entertain, seeing that Drew had the vessel six weeks at the Islands after picking up the Deny Ca&tle survivors.

THE FORT RESOLUTION LAND TRANSFER.

SIR G. GREY PETITIONS PARLIA

MENT.

[by. telegraph.—own reporter.]

Wellington-, this day. Sib George Grey has brought the wholq matter of the Point Resolution Land Trans fer scandal at Auckland in the form of a a petition, which Was presented fo* him yesterday by Mr Goldie. The petition goes fully into the circumstances of the case. It sets forth that the petitioner as Governor on Sept. 23rd, 1850, granted the land as an endowment in trust for the support of schools and maintenance of orphan and destitute children. The petition statea inter alia, the trustees leased such lands to H. C. Carr, in August, 1873, at a rent of £5 annually, he to erect a house valued at £100. The trustees also leased a portion in 1873 to T. Heale at a annual rental of £12, and a condition that; he would erect a house to cost £225. Heale subsequently bought Carr's interest for £5. Heale then built a house of considerable value upon the same land, and made other valuable improvements. On June 18th, 1883. Heale sold to Kissling for £3,000. It is presumed that £100 was paid down for this interest, as Mr Kissling executed a deed of mortgage to Heale on the 21st December, 1883, for £1,900, pay able on the Ist January, 1894. The peti tioner states that about 3-4ths of an acre of the said 5 acres was required for defence purposes. That their land pur chase agent, Mr Brewer, was anxious foi reasons stated in correspondence to secure the remaining portion of the said allotment of 3£ acres as a freehold estate for Mr Kissling, the then tennan£ r ,bv/.tho Public Work's Act, 1882, Act, 1885 the said land was taken hot for defence purposes bub to secure a great part as a freehold for a private person to the great injury present, and prospective oi many of her majesty subjects. To facilitate this, the Governor was ad vised by proclamation for reasons given which the petitioner believed to have been misleading, and the General Assembly was in a like manner led by a misleading re presentation to pass an Act in violation oi the provisions of the Public Works Act. and whereas the highest legal authori ties hold that no State should deprive many persons of life, liberty or property without due process of law. The foregoing principle is intended to secure all in dividuals from the arbitrary exercise of the pawers of the Government, unrestrained by the principle of private rights. The petitioner, therefore, humbly and earnestly prays . that your honourable House will take speedy measures by whiclj justice shall be done in this matter, and the land which has been wrongfully taken froni orphens and destitute children shall b< restored to the purposes for which thej were originally granted, and your petitionei will ever pray.

COMING EVENTS.

Meeting, &c. To-night.

Abbott's Opera House-Leitch Company ir " Harbour Lights,' 8. J Agricultural Hall Mohawk Miiwtrels 8 St. Mark's Church, Remuera—Flower Service 7.30. ' .

Rota of Justices at Police Court.

December B—Messrs L. D. Nathan and J. New man

Auction Sales To-morrow.

and -. Buddl S»Wynyard.Btreet-HoUBe hgld Furniture aad Effects, 12 c "-' tw,UBI *

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1. 188?,



W<» would remind our readers that One we wouw made tQ meaaure) Queen-street, a d fche rfceg j£L To d SS«&nd an early vit.- Sl -[Avvr.]