Our Wellington Letter

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 6, 29 June 1889, Page 2

Our Wellington Letter

— — * - ■■■'■■ *;* (PBOM OUB OWN mSKESPOSVBSX.y , Wellington, June 2§. The. ri Payne family, of^ musician* „ from Australia, who have been de.r - lighting Wellington audiences for a ,"--■ short season, have included your township in their tour, and I can; v promise for your readers . an excellent treat. Each of the Misses Payne (3), in addition to being accomplished . .; violinists and pianists are also vocal- - ists of the first rank, the other members of this charming little, company being Mr Payne (tenor), Mr Payne, ' junr., who pusses a fine baritone, voice ... and is also a flautist and pianist,, and Mr Steele (baritone), who is the comic man of the company, hie "yawning" sung especially tickling the humorous portion of the audience. The Wellington press is unanimous Ittite 1^ praise of the perfection d£ :i tS%&i)6vat2 " pany, and general regret is expresses that their season cannot be extended. Their part singing is considered to be> — ; superior to the Jubilee Singers, so» -r that when they visit Feilding those 3 ® who are privileged to hear them will" : quite agree with a lady friend of mine : who said, " I shall be glad all my lifer that I heard them. 1 * i In reply to your correspondent, re> - Ghemis, though the name is «ontmonly pronounced La Wellington^ |» " Kemis," I have it on good authority that Chemis 'himself pronounces it asv ' "Keemis." There has been no waste of time in commencing the real work of the> session this year. The many wouldbe " Gladstones" and " Brights" have been consigued to private life, and room made for workers and nofc orators. The Financial Statement ha* been very well received, and much gratification is expressed by members at the condition of the finances, thegeneral opinion being that the dark cloud of depression which has hung over our fair New Zealand for so lojjjj a time, has at last broken and brought to our view the silvery lining beyond. Strenuous efforts are to be made by country members this session to obtain more representation, but this will be just as strenuously opposed fey the town members. The Hospitals and Charitable Aid Bill, which passed its first reading last night, whilst it will no doubt prove a great blessing in many ways, may prove itself a curse in others. One of its objects is the providing for orphans and destitutechildren by the Government, so far so good; but it does not stop there, it. further gives the Government powerto establish refuges for drunkards, idlers, and tramps. Is this a premium to become a loafer? We have already too many of these *• aristocrats" in our midst without offeringthem a further inducement in the shape of a free home, while the honest working man has to pay for his. In connection with hospitals, it is not intended to continue the pound for ponnd system, but to contribute soY ( much per patient. "Our George" is already on thY warpath, and is worrying the Govern* ment for the papers in connection with the escape of Gaspirini, the convict who was being sent back to New ~ Caledonia, and tfhose escape was laid at the door of the Italian Consul (MrFisher) who, it was fiaid, went down: to the wharf and shook hands with Gasparini just prior to his departure, for Sydney. The Speaker has ruled,, however, that the papers can cfnly belaid on the table of the House T>y aj plication to His Excellency the Governor. Mr Fisher is also ysry desirous that all tbe correspondence rela~ ■ tive to his retirement from the Ministry should be made public; but the Premier, though professing to be just as desirous that all particulars should; be laid before thtf-House, seem* to be shirking the question by putting petty and technical obstacles lit thjfc---way. ■ ; ';;... .' . ' :■ "' ■''' To-morrow we are to have Ofchi ■g* Eleotrio Light officially turned on, and \ thenceforward W^llingtott streets will be illuminated from dark till dawn. "* &■<