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In Session.

Parliament is still in session, and is proceeding with business as fast as the verbosity of members will permit. The colony is so far committed to the « midland » railway scheme that it will probably be undertaken; but the fortunate change in administration will prevent such reckless and ruinous concessions as the late Government were willing to allow. One minor job—the Wanganui « harbor »—has been authorised by a majority of one. The reduction of Ministerial salaries and allowances, and other economies proposed by the Government, have met with general approval. The elections resulted in the return of a good many protectionists—many more, in all probability, than would have been elected had this been the question before the country. For a time they were a disturbing element, and declared their intention to delay the business till a « satisfactory » (prohibitory) tariff should be agreed upon. The Government declined to interfere with the tariff this session; and the protection party, pushing the point to a division, were so thoroughly defeated that they have since kept quiet. There is no prospect of any costly experimental legislation this session; Parliament will probably rise before the Christmas holidays; and the Government will then he able to devote themselves to the necessary but thankless task of administrative reform.

Wellington Truth has « joined the majority. »

Another attempt has been made to establish a local organ at Patea, Mr T. E. Hamerton having brought out the Patea County Press.

At a recent board meeting of the Hawke's Bay branch of the N.Z.T.A., Mr J. Ashton was elected a board member, vice Mr F. Gibbons, resigned.

A Wellington publican, whose wife lately committed suicide, threatens the Evening Post with a libel action, damages £2,000, for comments on the case.

The Wairarapa Daily has put up a Payne's Wharfedale machine and a gas engine. Mr R. G. Marsh, of Wellington, efficiently superintended the fitting-up of the machinery.

Mr Fish, though in anything but good odor in Dunedin, found a constituency to return him at the late general election. He excels in what is known as « Billingsgate, » and in a speech occupying two hours and forty minutes attacked the press of the colony, which he said was « a thing of contempt and ridicule, » the majority of the papers « representing moneyocracy alone. » The real cause of Mr Fish's rancour is that the press has been charging him with certain « fishy » transactions. As the time of Parliament represents a money value of ten shillings a minute, this tirade cost the public something like £80!