WELLINGTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 89, 8 July 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(fuoic ooa own oobhespoxdemt. CABINET EBULLITIONS. When I last wrote I told you of the rumours of Mr BaUanoe's leaving the Cabinet, which rumours have turned oui to be well founded. Aa Auckland paper published an extra, announcing his resignation, several hours bofore it actually took place, and from this the Chronicle argues that the " little unpleasantness" was a pre-arranged affair. Men of humble minds, accustomed to look up to Cabinets as the embodiments of union, sedateness, gravity and dignity, behold these little Cabinet Seances (forgive tlio term), with much dUmuy, anJ from henceforth enjoy the enlightenment of knowing that the proclivity most marked in Kilkenny cats is uot absent even in the Halls of Government, and the sanctuaries of Premiers •md Ministers of the Crown. I hare heard the Government likened to a butch of inebriates, who are so intoxicated that notwithstanding haviug giveu up their Stout, they are still unable to retain., tjieir . IKllance. But, joking aside, it really seemi ' as if affairs were fast drifting into chaos j and the forthcoming meeting- of Parliament . is anxiously looked forward to. DISSOLUTION. The likelihood of a dissolution taking place shortly appears to be growing less. In the first placo a very weak Government will meet the L'arliatneut.and it is more than possible that the Opposition, seeing the weakness of the Government party, will refuse to vole supplies, without which it is not at all likely His Excellency would permit an appeal to the country ; and further, , the statement ha* gone forth that the Governor is opposed to all the leading features of the Liberal programme, bo that he is not likely to receivo too fuvorably any overtures made in the interests of that pro T ' gramme and parly ; 1:01 that His Excellency desires to actively participate in our Colonial politics, but his opinions might, almost involuntarily, lead him to the conclusion that a dissolution at this particular juueture would not bo productive of public good. QSEYTOWN BRANCH KAILWAY, Tenders are now called for this work. Our Wairarapa friends must consider themselves highly favored, for the work has only been in contemplation a few mouths, uud in a few months more it will be completed, I could refer to a railway that has been in contemplation for a much longer period, and towards the construction of which £15,000 was voted u early twelve months ago, and which appears to be as far off com-, mencing now as it was at first. We know that a considerable seotiou at the Welling- " ton end is ready for letting, an d we are told almost every week that tenders will be called , , for urxt month, but next month never comes, or at any rate tenders are never called for* YOST AKD TBLBQBAFK OFFICES. Some time since I gave you an outline of ' the design prepared for our new Post and Telegraph Office?. The building, if built as designed, would have been a very fine one, a credit alike to the Colony and Wellington as its capital city. But, alas 1 the design has been set aside as too good for Wellington, and a deputation was a few days ago informed that the Government - intended to invite competitive designs from local architects for a building on a much more modified scale. Soruo pf our uqqtn-,, ployed are anxiously lookiug forward to the , commencement of this and other 1 ' building's : to give them work, but they need have patience, for in all probability two ot three , : months will elapse before these designs are . ■ invited, and then a month or six weeks will bo allowed for their preparation, and then a couple of months for consideration, and afe'-* the expiration of that time I should uot be the least surprised if one of those geuiuses ; with which the Government servioe abounds should report that tha present buildings are admirably adapted to the requirements of ' the Departments, and will suit splendidly for at least another generation. WATER BUPPLT. Sinco our great fire our rivio authorities have been sorely exercised' tbout our water

supply. It is evident the supply we have is quite inadequate for prospective, though it may be sufficient for present, reqmrements^find in 4he event of a great conflagration, it&^teMency would bo severely felt. But the Wainuiomata sch-me involves an expenditure of M I OO.nOO, and Councillors aot with oaution ; however, something must shortly be done, and when tho City < ounci fully recognise this fact, their energies wi" doubtless be equal to the occasion. VACANT PORTFOLIOS. The Hon. Mr Gisborne receives the portfolio of Lands and Immigration, and ft is stated that Pir George Grey will assume the Tieasurership himself ; but no decision has yet been come to with regard to the Attorney-Generalship, nor is the Cabinet likely to decide on this point until the result of the Dunedin election is known. Mr ttisbo.ie is a man of g.eatexpen ence and considerable abUity, and his accession to the Ministry wUI assist them muoh when the storm breaks. St Greorge Grey as a Treasurer w"l be anonsuccesß, I think, and he is l»y far too theoretical and Utopian in his ideas for a position requiring an eminently praotioal and business-