Mr Witheford invented another excuse, though a very ridiculous one, and it was this : Mr Monk had not accomplished anything. He might just as well stay in Auckland and try to build a railway as come to Wellington and endeavour to get one. He did not know the proper way to go about it. Probably . the latter senti ment is an adroit allusion to the cham pagne that Mr Witheford has been dispensing so liberally, and that Mr Monk doesn't indulge in, but what has the champagne done for us ? Has it lessened the measure of spoliation that has been practised upon ua? Also, if Mr Monk has accomplished nothing, what in the name of all that ie sensible has Mr Witheford accomplished ? Let it at least be said for Mr Monk that he staunchly voted against the dishonest railway con

struction proposals of the Government even while Mr Witheford was. obediently following Mr Seddon into the lobby in order to vote for the Government against Auckland.
