Colonial.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 586, 16 June 1858, Page 3

Colonial.

WELLINGTON.

The arr^p-al of: the Emerald Isle puts-us in possession of papers from Wellington to the 9th,- and from Nelson to the sth instant. In Wellington,- meetings, quarrels, and reciprocal abuse on the question of the forthcoming , election of Superintendent, were the order of " the day. In the meantime the plot thickens ; for it appears there are two " Acting Superin- . teaden^s," and it puzzles the wisest heads to determine which is the legal one. The Wellington papers indulge more in personal recrimination, than in giving plain statements of facts; and, therefore, we can hardly ascertain the merits of the question from their columns. . Under these circumstances, we quote the following details from the 'Nelson Examiner,' especially as they render the subject more clear by information received from private accounts. " The vexed current of Wellington politics ' * runs as strong and turbid as ever. The thin

veil of deference to the opinion of the majority, and of carrying out the theory of Constitutional Government, independently of all personal predilections or dislikes, has been torn asunder as soon as assumed, and the avowed aim of both' parties is to do as much mischief to their opponents as possible. In this laudable endeavour there seems to be less skill than good will, and many of the blows armed at their adversaries recoil back and take effect upon themselves. Thus, it seemed a great object with the Fox and Featherston party to prevent the reins of power passing from their own hands even for an hour; and the reasons which the Superintendent 'was obliged to give for refusing to assent to the bills passed for that purpose, had a semblance of reason and of legality about them. But, in his desire to accomplish his object thoroughly, he has committed himself to acts which put him clearly in the wrong. Thus, the act which allows the Superintendent to name a deputy during his absence from the province, appoints the Speaker of the Council to replace him in case of his resignation. And yet it appears that, without leaving the province, and twelve days after his resignation, Dr. Featherston appoints Mr. Fitzherbert as his deputy, whilst Mr. Ludlam, the Speaker, claimed to be, de jure and de facte, Superintendent at once. The lieges were, oi course, puzzled which to choose of the two Kings of Brentford : but, fortunately, neither party proceeded to levy any forces in support of his claims —the deputy retiring as the speaker advanced, and, without absolutely withdrawing Ids pretensions, yeilding him a bloodless victory.

So far we learn from the newspaper organs of the two factions. But private accounts go much further. It appears that about 500 men are employed upon the roads, whose votes will turn the scale at the coming election for the Superiutendency; so that both parties are equally anxious to keep them in work, and to have the credit of doing so.

As no warrants could be legally issued for money, the Council proposed to pass a bill giving their speaker the necessary powers; when Mr. Brandon informed them they need nottrouble themselves about the matter, as it was already provided for. On being questioned, he informed them that the necessary_ payments would be made upon the responsibility and guarantee of the ex-ministers. But, upon further inquiry, it was found that a sum of £5,000 had been withdrawn from the Government account at the Union Bank, and paid into the Oriental Bank by Mr. Fox, acting as deputytreasurer in the absence of Mr. Woodward: and on this fact being brought out, Mr. Brandon would not volunteer any more explanations.

The next day, this sum of £5,000 was again tranferred to the land office account of Mr. Fitzherbert;. thus paying in this sum from the provincial account to the credit of the General Government.

From the following paragraph extracted from the ' Spectator' of the 9th inst., it will be perceived that the question of who is the legal acting Superintendent is to be decided by his honor the Judge:— We understand that no time has been lost in bringing before the Supi*eme Court the legal question of who is legally authorised to exercise the authority of Superintendent in the interval between Dr. Featherston's resignation and the election of his successor. Proceedings have been instituted by Mr. Ludlam the speaker of the Provincial Council; a writ has been served on Dr. Featherston and accepted on his bei half, leg^l technicalities and objections have' been waived on either side and the questions will be argued on its merits before his Honor . the Judge, by Mr. Bolase on the part of the speaker, and Mr. Brandon on behalf Dr. Fea- ■ thei-ston, on Thursday next, at twelve o'clock, in open court. From the deep interest' this question has excited, we have no doubt the court will be crowded on the occasion.