Colonial.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 605, 21 August 1858, Page 4

Colonial.

WELLINGTON".

The captain of the Emerald, which arrived on Wednesday, has kindly furnished us with a copy of the''Wellington Independent' of the 11th inst, from which we give the following extracts: — STEAM COMMUNICATION "WITH MELBOUBNE. Last night his honor sent down a message to the Council urging them to enable him to take advantage of the disposition of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, to establish Steam Communication between their Colony and New Zealand. His honor proposes that the Council i should vote a subsidy of £2,000 to be used in case of need, to supplement the grant of £6,000 proposed to be given in Melbourne. The sura proposed to be voted by the Council is little ;more than now paid for the conveyance of the mails from Melbourne by sailing packets. The following steps have been taken in the matter by the Chamber of Commerce. At a Meeting of the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, held yesterday, the subject of openling a direct steam communication between Wellington and Melbourne was discussed, and resulted in the adoption of the following Memorial to his honor the Superintendent, praying its consideration, and recommending that a sum ;be appropriated out of the general revenue of the province, to assist the liberal subsidy which had, as it would appear from the local journals, been suggested by the " Melbourne Chamber ofCommerce/ to connect the trade between the two. places. : ; .

To his Honor Isaac Eakl Featherston, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE PEOTINCE OF WELtiN-GTOu-jiif the Islands of New ovZealand.,-;-h--'.■!.".; .:-:.:. .■■■:■■ „-. .-:•■ .

The Memorial of-the Wellington Chamber; of iOornnieree, respectfully showeth, ! ": ■^jJFhat your; memorialists have learnt with much satisfaction, that the importance of connecting the trade of this portion of New Zealand with Victoria, by means of steam communication, has attracted the attention of the mercantile community of thatcolouy; and that in consequence a memorial has been forwarded to the Government by the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, representing the value of .securing so desirable an object by granting a subsidy of £6000 per annum, in support of a l-egu-lar. steam service between Wellington and Port Philip. -Further,, -that your memorialists have every reason to conclude that the Victorian Government is favorable to the project, and will be prepared to carry out the proposal which has been made to it.

That your memorialists are desirous that a cooperative spirit should be evinced by this province in "promoting an undertaking so vantageous to its interests, and that the, Melbourne Chamber of Commerce should at once be assured of the readiness of the Provincial Legislature to aid. the subsidy above referred to.

Tour memorialists, therefore, earnestly pray that your Honor will avail yourself of the Provincial Council being in session, to recom.mend to its consideration the propriety of placing on the estimates to meet the liberality displayed by the citizens of Melbourne—a first step, your memorialists believe, towards the recognition of Wellington as the port of arrival and departui'e for ocean steamers, on the communication being opened with England via Panama. John Johnston, '* Chairman. GEOEGE HuNTEB, Deputy Chairman. Chamber of Commerce, Wellington, August 10, 1858. The New Executive.—His Honor communicated to* the Council last night the steps taken to form his Executive. Mr. Woodward had been appointed Treasurer, and Mr. Brandon Solicitor. The Secretaryship had not yet been j filled up. His Honor further proposes appointing Mr. Fox and the Honorable John Johnston to seats in the Executive, as soon as this can be done without interfering with the business of the Council, as, if appointed at once, their seats becoming vacant, there would be no one to give explanations in the Council on behalf of the Government. .."".-':' Customs Revenue.—The receipts of Customs duties for the Port of Wellington last week amounted to £3390 14s. lid. This large amount is in consequence of the anticipated increase of duty on spirits, &c. Widow and Orphans' Fund, M.U.—On Monday evening last a fancy dress ballwas given at the Assembly Rooms, Baruatt's Hotel, hi aid of the above fund; and, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, the attendance was very mimerouß. The ball room was very tastefully decorated with evergreens, was briliaiitly lighted, and the toule ensemble was most effective. The veraivlah, leading from the ball

room to 'the refreshment room, was enclosed, and was also decorated with flags and evergreens. The refreshments were provided by Mr. Brown, and was of the most recherche description, consisting of fruit, pastry, &c, which were temptingly displayed upon tables in the large coffee room. By the kind permission of Colonel Gold and the officers, a portion of the band of the 65th Regiment were present, and played an excellent selection of ball music. On this occasion, fancy dresses were the rule, and not the exception. The novelty was pleasing, and seemed to afford considerable amusement. Dancing commenced at nine o'clock and was kept up with great spirit until five in the morning (quadrilles, polkas, schottisches, and country dances following each other in quick succession) when the company separated, after having enjoyed themselves to their heart's content. It is gratifying when pleasure and profit can be mutually blended, and we are therefore glad to hear that the result of the ball will make a handsome addition to the funds of this charitable institution, thereby cheering the heart of many a widow and orphan, who might otherwise have no source from whence to look for pecuniary help in their greatest time of need. [feom a cobrespondent.] The following communication, from a gentleman resident at Wellington, although of an old date, came to hand only on Wednesday last, owing to some postal arrangement; but it may be still read with interest by those who ;are anywise entertained by the relation of matters connected with Wellington :— , Wellington, July 17. Politically speaking, we have nothing here ' but war and rumours of war.' No sooner has the contest for the Superintendency ended, than writs arrive for .the election, of members to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives, and other contests loom large in the distance to complete the Provincial Council, and vacancies already existing by the resignations of Messrs. Wakefield and Hunter for the city, and Mr. Boi'lnse for the Wairarapa, and two other members it is anticipated willfollow their example. In sober earnestness these repeated elections are much to be regretted as independent of the excitement and angry feelings they engender, they greatly hinder, if not altogether put a stop to anything like business, and even when ended, the reaction is so great, that, like those recovering from a fever; it is some time before we can pursue, with our usual energy and activity, our every day pursuits. The contest for the Superintendency ended as was anticipated in the re-election of Dr. Featherston, by a majority of 322. The poll has not yet been officially declared, in consequence of the non-return of; the Government messenger/from ttie Ahuriri, but the Returning Officer is in hopes to be enabled to declare the result on Thursday next. It is a great blow to the sorcalled Reform (i.e. Wakefield) party.lt was their tactics* deliberately premeditated on, that forced Dr.; Featherston to resign, they secured as their Champion the only individual in this province that could with any propriety aspire to the office, and judging of the Constitueney^by' their majority in the-Council (24 to 6) success seemed certain. But their anticipations were defeated, the province was not to be pei-suaded to displace an old and tried servant for any nominee of Mr. Wakefield's choosing. His party are greatly chagrined at the result, for to quote the simile of an Irish Author, " With their hands full of Trumps they are obliged to submit to a new deal."" They of course lay the blame as usual to Wanganui, but this is not the case, for rejecting Wanganui, Turekina, and Rarigitikei, on" behalf of Dr. Featherston, the gross result would be still a majority of 117 in the Doctor's favor. This is evidently a change in public opinion, and if the Ahuriri * Herald' is to be believed, arises from a mistrust of Mr. Wakefield of whom it writes that " his weather cock course has deprived them of any faith in his political sincerity." This coming as it does from on^f the strongholds of Reform, is to quote the organ of the Constitutional party, as the 'Independent' is styled, " the unkindest cut of all." Still the Reform party refuse to acknowledge their defeat, the majority of their' members pei'tinaciously decline to resign their seats, and their leaders are preparing to contest their present supremacy, inch by inch. We have the following in the field as candidates for the House Of Representatives, viz., for the city—Dr. Featherston ; and Mr. Rhodes on behalf of the Constitutional party to oppose whom the Reformers have put forward their great guns, Mr. Wakefield and Mr. Bowler." The,result, I anticipate, will be the re-election of Di\ Featherston and Mr. Wakefield, and in fact they are the only two whose talents fit them for the trust. Capti. Rhodes and his opponent Mr. Bowler may be, and I believe are, highly respected in private life, but as pnolio men their education is certainly deficient. For the Suit Mr. Fitzherbert offers himself (wilh every chance of success) for re-election; it is certain however, he will not be unopposed, though by whom, this deponent knoweth not. For the Country District Mr. Brandon is the only candidate in the field, and I think will be allowed to walk over the course. He is one that is highly popular with the constituency he seeks to represent, and in fact generally so, and though no orator, is universally allowed to be a man of considerable talent and ability, and will prove no insignificant addition to the strength of the House. For the Wairarapa and Hawhe's Bwy, Messrs. Carter and Ferguson are in the field, the latter a new man, whoso sympathies, it is reported, go with Auckland, and therefore render him unpopular with us. Mr. Carter is a member of our Provincial Council, and a Relf-edueated man (at least, I should imagine so). He haij,

however, the interests of the province a t heart, and in lieu of a^ more able man will be accepted. It is really mucli toe be regretted that in the possession of what we have so lone fought and struggled fov Representative Jnstt tutions, we have so very few to appreciate or who appreciating, fail in the ability of carrying them out in detail. Wellington is peculiarfa unfortunate in this respect, for, without at nil derogating from the private worth of any, there are only a few whom right thinking men would feel justified in intrusting with the managament of political affairs. We have Featherston, Fox Fitzherbert, Revans, Wakefield, Manson, Woodward, Stokes, and' perhaps another one or two whose talents and abilities are unquestioned, 11 j eie our list ceases > and we are even compelled to accept any.vrho are willing to take the wni° f State affa! rs uP°n ther shoulders: We have been hithorto quite unrepresented this session m the House of Representatives, and heard with no little disappointment that there, is no .chance of the General Assembly holding sittings here for the next two - years. The General Government having^passed the estimates for that period. Wellington has S oll*. to -?. c ™& and fo much.dividedagainst itself as it is, it is pot to be wondered at though regretted. . Our little; Resident Magistrate^ delighted that he is removed from Provincial and General Control, and having had his salary raised, to £500 per annum, his defeat for the Superintendency may be looked on and is so regarded by himself as more gain than loss. He certainly managed matters well, to retain his present office while seeking to be elected to a higher one. Not many magistrates would have pursued his course in the mother country, none would have been permitted. The General Government, while taking care of the heads of departments have behaved shabbily to .the. subordinates. As for instance, in the department above alluded to, the Provincial Council voted an increase of £25 to the Clerk of the Bench of Magistrates (viz., from £175 to £200) which the General Government have ignored, and one of £12 10s. to the interpreter for horse hire is also rejected. Where such a large increase is made to heads of departments, long tried and faithful servants should riot be forgotten. The postal arrangement by the General Government has also caused much dissatisfaction, and certainly as it has been worked so far, deservedly so. The rumour too that Nelson is to be the chief port for the departure and arrival of the proposed new line of intercolonial and inter-provincial steamers, has also given rise to much angry feeling; and, in fact, Wellington torn, asunder as it is, by party spirit; and unrepresented and undefended in the north; is, as the Yankees would say, in "a tarnation fix" at present. Yet, " tempora •; mutantur sed nos tnutamur in illis.

His Honor Judge Gresson, is still .here,, and ■'.' we trust rumour is for once true, (!) when it asserts that he is likely to make this -his chief :\ residence. He has already won the esteem of all and deservedly so. The'census for; 1858 is - just completed, shewing a complete population in L this province of 11,700 souls. It was taken under an act of the Provincial Council, Session 2, No. 4s. On dit, that a gentleman at present holding an appointment in aH.M. Customs in this city is preparing a valuable statistical tvork : for publication. Slich a work -• has long been needed, and from its rumoured parentage it will be in every respect worthy of popular favour. ■.•■-' , '.

We are at present decidedly suffering from "Temporary insanity," and shall till our political warfare has ceased. In my next I will send you an account of the elections; and trusting that you may find some interest in gossip from Wellington, I close my communications for the present. _ The Westminster is advertised for the 28th instant.

The ' Canterbury Standard' gives the " following state of the poll, at its close, for the election of members to the General Assembly for the town of Wellington" :—- Featherston (Constitutionalist) 560 Ehodes (Do.) .............................. 553 Bowler (Radical) ............:........... 550 B. J, Wakefield... ...543