WELLINGTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 95, 29 July 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

♦— ' '' ' ■ (fuom ouh own cobresfondent. foxton railway deviation. 1 have just heard a piece of news that surprises me greatly, to the effect that there is no intention of prosecuting the proposed deviation of your railway ior the present. The news seemed too strange to be true, but £$i? assured that the town agent of one ol' ~tb*¥'i>roperty holders has been so informed, on asking about payment for the land pro- j

posed to be taken. Mr Walter Johnson should see about this immediately. LIBERAL DEMONSTRATION. On Thursday night a great public meeting was held ia the Arcu.de, with the avowed object of encouraging the promotion of a Liberal Association. The meeiing was a most rowdy one, the various speakers having to fight hard to get a hearing at all. Sir George U-rey apolep, but his speech consistod of nothing that ho has not said twenty times before ; and Mr Rees followed him, and was about equally instructive. Mr lievans, and Thos. M- : Kenzie, both old settlors, and men who know a thing or two concerning the Premier's early Liberalism (i'), denounced Sir George for having withheld the Constitution Act for four years, when it was in his power to confer its privileges on the people, and while approving of Liberal measures, bade the people beware of wolves in sheeps' clothing. This meeting, occurring as it did. in the middle of a most important debate on the Government's policy and administration, has given rise to much adverse criticism. It was thought that to attempt to get up a popular excitement in favor of the Government, just at the time the House had to deoide whether or not they should retain their seats on the Treasury Benches, looked very muoli like an endeavor to intimidate Parliament. TAMPERING WITH EECORDS. The Hon. Mr Richardson appeals to have found out a nice little trick in connection with the Thames and Waikato railway. When the Public Works Statement was made last year, the House was informed that it was intended to construct a branch line from Hanrilton.on the present Waikato Railway, to Te Aroha, a settlement on the Thames River accessible by vessels of 200 tons burthen. It appears that when the Railways Construction Bill was brought down this lino was shown on the map accompanying it, and in the Bill was vaguely termed the Thames- Wuikato line. The map now shows the line extending about 20 miles further, not stopping short at Te Aroha, as was intended, but going right on to Gruhamstown on the Firth of Thames. The word " Thames " will apply equally to either, and the map which more definitely defined the line has manifestly been altered. A Select Committee has been appointed to investigate ihe matter. . • . ADDHEt-8 IN REPLY. The Address appears to stick in both Houses. The great debate in the. Lower House is expected to close to-night, and is certain to go against the Government by a majority of 6or 7. In the Council, the usually serene atmosphjru has been sadly disturbed, the Hons. Messrs Waterhouse Hall, and Pollen, and Sir F, D. Bell having launched their thunderbolts against the rather diminutive, but sprightly representative oF fcli« Ministry there. Sir F. D. Bell spoke for twj hours and a half, and delivered an oration somewhat above the average of Council speeches. . >.-..' RAILWAY MANAGEMENT. Mr J E. Brown is going to move fo r another Committee to enquire into our rail* way management. Mr Brown's last Committee did much good, and may his endeavours be even more successful this year. There is plenty of room for ; t, in the North Islsnd at any rate. .• • . • ■