Wellington Notes.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 103, 28 October 1896, Page 2

Wellington Notes.

fFBOM OUE OWN COttBESFONDENT.J THE ELECTIONS. Wellington has not yet decided on what candidates are to stand. The re- ; tirement of Mr Duthie has altered the i aspect of affairs in the Opposition camp somewhat, but it is generally understood ' that the three Opposition candidates will be Sir Robert Stout, Mr H. D. Bell, and Mr A. li. Atkinson (the latter being a nephew of the late Sir Harry, a law- ; yer, aud a man of exceptional ability). : There is a feeling that it would haye been more in accordance with the geni eral wishes had the lawyer element not ' been so prominent, bat business men cannot give their time to a four-months' ■ session, during which all else must be neglected, and the final results are so , unsatisfactory. Another one mentioned is the Mayor, Mr George Fisher, but he has gone down in public estimation con- \ siderably, owing to his bickerings with ! the Council. Only one Ministerial can- , didate, Mr Hutchison, is declared as yet. , The Trades Council has not decided yet as to what they will do, except that they will not support a Seddonite candidate. For the suburbs there will be a j good stand-up fight between the Hon. T. Hislop and Mr T. Hilford. The latter is extremely proud of being the Sed- ; donian candidate, and was very candid '< at a meeting at Newtown the other evening, where he told his hearers there was no lack of money behind him. He relies chiefly on the football and ath- ■ letic vote, and may be relied on to provide a good deal of fun during tbe contest ; but Mr Hislop's past good record 1 and established position will ensure a good majority for him. The National Association in Christchurch has made a selection of three candidates which reflects great credit on them. Mr Lewis has given satisfaction to the party in his one session ; Mr Beswick is Mayor of Christchorch, and said to be a coming man ; Mr Donelly, a lawyer, is a selfmade man. Twenty years ago he was a labourer and a noted athlete. He taught himself shorthand and became a reporter on a Dunedin paper ; then, studied law and passed with credit. He will carry the Catholic vote, and it is pretty certain that Christchurch will nut return three, if any, Ministerialists as it did in '93.