WELLINGTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 29, 2 December 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] PARLIAMENTARY. Our legislators are now making better progress with the business of the Country, and it is hoped that the session may be brought to a close by about the middle of December. The consideration of the estimates has already been commenced and taken up with a will, as almost one-half of the services chargeable on the Consolidated fund have been passed. Of course the estimates of the Public Works fund have not yet bpen submitted, but they will no doubt accompany the Public Works Statement, which will probably be delivered during next week. With a view to economy, Mr Andrews has moved that the salaries of all officials receiving £200 a year and upwards be reduced by five per cent, nnd the salaries of Ministers, and members' honoraria be reduced by ten per cent. On this Mr George has moved an amendment to the effect that the number of the civil servants be reduced by ten per cent I do not think that either the motion or the amendment will be carried, but if either, the amendment appears in every way way preferable. UNEMPLOYED. The " unemployed " agitators who have been set to work on the West Coast Kailway at Kaiwarra have been reduced in pay a shilling a day all round. It is stated that the Government found this step advisable on two grounds, first, of economy, and secondly, to offer the men no encouragement to stop, for as the works were only taken in hand to afford charitable relief, they do not wish to keep up the present large gang any longer than is necessary. Much discontent prevails, as you may imagine, and not without some ground too, for I hear that the very large number of hands employed on similar works and in a similar manner, in the South, are still paid full wages, and what is more, allowed to work overtime, so as to further augment their earnings. This is scarcely fair. Sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS. The reckless extravagance of the late Government , and their anticipation of the loan are matters, the effect of which we are beginning to feel, as the present administration find themselves quite unable to accept tenders for further works until some more satisfactory news is heard with regard to the floating of the loan. Lots of tenders are now in suspense, and there they are likely to remain for the present, and no new ones are being accepted or, at least not if the cost of the work is likely to be very great The present scarcity of work for the laboring classes is consequently not likely to be relieved just yet. TE ARO RECLAMATION. The Bill to empower the Corporation to go on with this most desirable work has passed the Lower House, and is now before the Council. The Hon. Mr Waterhouse has consented to take charge of it, and he

is likely to succeed in piloting it through all right. It will be a great boon to Wellington if the Bill becomes law, but of course its effect will not be seen for a time for the necessary funds will have to be obtained from London. NEW LAW COURTS The foundation stone of the new Supreme Court Buildings is to be laid on Monday next, by the Hon. the Attorney General with Masonic honors. Our " brethren of the mystic tie " are going to make the occasion quite a gala day, following up the ceremonies with a ball in the evening . WELLINGTON CEMETEEY. The unsuitability of our present cemetery site has again attracted attention, but it is difficult to ascertain who is responsible for the delay in taking the necessary steps to secure a better. The Hon. Mr Mantell asked a question on the matter in the Legislative Council a few evenings since, and he was told that the civic authorities were to blame, but at the City Council meeting last evening, the City Fathers put up their backs at this statement, and charged the Government with the neglect. People are thinking that it is high time that the bottom of the matter was got at, and surely this would not be very difficult to accomplish, seeing that the Mayor is a member of Parliament. THE TRAMWAY COMPANY. Things are not going well with the Tram way Company just now. At a private meeting of discontented shareholders, held a few nights since, it was stated that the line and its equipments were sold to the Company for £40.000, and shareholders were led to believe that it had actually cost that sum, or very nearly so, but it has turned out (as they state) that it only cost £27,000, so that at the very outset, some £13,000 found its way into the pockets of some lucky individual. Then the management has been very unsatisfactory, and then to make up a large deficit debentures have been issued, and the whole of the Company's property mortgaged to secure the holders of these, who, for the most part, it is stated, are the Company's own directors. Evidently a storm is brewing.