There wao a very stormy scene in the House at three o'clock this morning be tween the Minister for Lands and his pre decessor. Referring to what he character ised aa enormities in Mr Richardson's term of office, Mr McKenzie caiae at last to the leasing of the celebrated 228 and 228 a runs, saying if the secrets of that matter were known they would not be to Mr Richardson's credit. Mr Richardson as eerted there were no secrets, and challenged the Minister to disclose them or withdraw what he had said. Mr McKenzie said the chief witness would have been the late Hon. Robert Campbell, who had said he came up to Wellington and squared ib with the Minis ter. Mr Richardson : That language is capable of an interpretation which points to me as having acted in a corrupt manner. The Speaker : The honourable gentleman must nob make a charge of that kind with out being prepared to prove it. If the member for Mataura denies, he should withdraw. Mr Richardaon : '■■■ I don't deny ifc, for ifc ought nob to have been used. Ib is a dis graceful statement. Mr McKenzie: The honourable gentle man challenged me, or I should not have used it. Mr Richardson : It is the most disgrace ful statement ever made from tho Govern ment benches. The Speaker again urged the Minister to withdraw. Mr McKenzie said he could only with draw to the exfcenb that in making the statement Mr Campbell might have been incorrect. Mr Richardson : It is simply disgraceful to make such a statement here. Can I nob call upon a member for his authority ? Mr Duncan would like to hear a denial of the whole thing. Mr Richardson (warmly): I have denied ifc. There is nothing to deny and nothing to be concealed. Mr McKenzie declined to give his authority, aa he might involve other people in trouble. Mr Richardson : I can't let a thing of this kind go uncontradicted. My honour is involved in the allegation made, which is absolutely false. The Speaker said Mr Richardson had better consider what course" he should take, the chair having done all it could in the matter. The statement rested on the language of a person whose name was not disclosed, and having been withdrawn, he had no further power to interfere. 