Talk of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 357, 14 December 1878, Page 15

Talk of the Week.

The talk of the week has been brisk enough. So many questions affecting the interests of Wellington citizens have been discussed both in the City Council and Chamber of Commerce, that no lack of topics for conversation have been felt. The railway station question is much talked of, and nine speakers out of tea would prefer to have a railway station rather than a recreation ground. The question of the New South Wales Exhibition has been before the Chamber of Commerce, and in order to recover lost ground, and to make up for the notorious lack of interest displayed by this colony at Paris, it has been resolved to make an effort in our behalf upon this occasion. Mr. Levin at the quarterly meeting is reported to have said "It was a matter for the Government to initiate, and it was also the duty of the Government to see that proper space was allotted te the colony. He therefore should move that the Government be requested to inform the Chamber whether they have in contemplation the representation of the colony at the forthcoming New South Wales Exhibition. There was every appearance of it being a success, fop interest was taken in it at Home, and no doubt there would be visitors from all parts of the world."

Previous to the meeting at which Messrs. Beetham and Bunny addressed their constituents at Masterton, the Wairarapa Standard said:—"The electors of the Wairarapa may approve of the action taken by Mr. Bunny, op that taken by Mr. Beetham, but what we are contending for is, that they cannot approve at one and the same time of the action taken by both ; and we trust that they will not so stultify themselves, arid make themselves the laughing-stock of the whole colony, by passing resolutions at the forthcoming meeting in which any such approval could possibly be implied.'* Nevertheless, this good advice was disregarded, and after what has been aptly termed some rather "milk-and-water" speeches, both representatives were complimented and thanked for their services. Some critical people have been heard to say that in New Zealand, provided the local interests of a district are looked after by a member, he may talk and vote as he pleases on major questions, because not more than a handful of electors take any interest in politics pure and simple. The recent meeting in Masterton would tend to confirm: this view. Parliament out of session has also been represented by Mr. Saunders, who made an able speech at Kaikoura. Wellington papers have not yet reviewed this address, but it is well worthy of notice. Mr. Saundere criticises the Government severely, but say« that when he looked around him for seme other party fit to supersede the Grey party he was unable to find any other lot of meui who would bring in a policy that he himself could support.

Up to the present nothing very new has turned up in the political world, and the forthcoming news from Auckland of oup Premier's first big speech is looked forward to by those who are interested in politics, in the hope that at last some political news worthy of the name may turn up. Some talk has been going on about the Hutt-Waikanae railway, and the Chamber of Commerce has recorded the fact that it would be glad of information on the subject, a desire which is shared by many other people. There appears to be a great risk of the West Coast road falling out of repair, as the Hutt County Council has not a sufficiency of funds to make full provision for its wants, if floods or other accidents interfere with the permanent way or the On Thursday a deputation requested assistance from the Government to repair the road near Pahutanui, and the Colonial Treasurer promised a loan towards the necessary works. But the difficulty with the Council appears to be how they are to provide for the repayment of the loan if they accept it. As to the railway, which may ultimately supersede the road to a great extent, we understand that an exploration of the line shows that no great physical difficulties are present on the route proposed. Mr. Macandrew is expected to examine the country personally, and to decide which line to adopt. From New South Wales we hear that a deputation recently waited on the Minister for Works in favor of a new route for the proposed line from Sydney to the north. A survey was promised in answer to the request of the deputation, but it was coupled with the following proviso about providing guides for the surveyors, which seems worthy of imitation. The Evening News reports that Mr. Sutherland said, " It would "be necessary for the deputation to provide guides for the surveyors. This the deputation promised to do, and they named Mr. Close, of Morpeth, and Mr. James Price. The deputation thanked the Minister for his courtesy and his satisfactory reply." Mr. Barton's case against the Judges has resulted in the manner that was generally anticipated. In no single instance is the Government able to support Mr. Barton in his accusations made. In charge No. 9 one slightly disparaging remark is made about the Judges, thus,—"A.nd after argument a judgment waa. pronounced, refusing your motion. The judg-. ment is .in Appendix C. The only thing that. might call for remark is that tho Judijo. should' not have ordered your clients to have* paid costs* on this unsuccessful motion," —and this is th©

only point made byMr. Barton. The result of the other charges i 3 contained in the concluding paragraph of the letter addressed to Mr. Bar ton, by the Government, which is in the following terras :—" I have now dealt with the -various .charges you have made. I have placed in the appendix the various documents referring tojLhe eases, for more ready reference. After" a careful and calm review, I am bound to say that I regret, that you should have made the-charges, and I feel assured that you will yet acknowledge that they were made either under some temporary irritation, or without due consideration.. There is one misapprehension under which you seem to labor, which I think ".it necessary to dispel. It is not the function of the Executive of the colony to act as an appellate tribunal, If the Judges decide, ; contrary to law, ample machinery has been provided to have their decisions reviewed. It cannot be right that men who may not have been trained as lawyers should, sit, in judgment on the decisions of the Supreme Court. It is only when clear evidence is produced of corruption or, incapacity that the Executive is called upon to.interfere. -Were the Executive to interfere with Judges whenever a disappointed litigant invoked their aid, the due administration of justice would be impeded.—l have, Jco'.i G. S. Whitmore." Even the Judges themselves must be content with so complete. a vindication of their conduct. Those-who remember Sir G. Grey's violent speech""oh"the "subject." will'not be sorry to learn that there was no foundation for the extravagant and violent harangue that he made'in the House"on the Judicial Commission Bill. The' City Council has resolved to borrow £IOO,OOO f«r forming and improving the streets and footpaths in the city. If the dust so prevalent in town is diminished by the expenditure,' few of the ratepayers will complain of the'extra rates that must be levied to pay interest on the loan. The Mayor made rather a good point by saying that although Wellington Councillors and people were fond of saying "our streets are.a disgrace to the city, and the worst "in the colony," on turning up the reports of very many other municipal bodies he " found exactly the same sentiment uttered in precisely the same language." The fact was (remarked his Worship) we were no worse than other people. ._ : Wellington has been well supplied with amusements and entertainments during the week.,' Messrs. Hydes and Bates, at the Theatre Royal, and Messrs. Geddes and Co., at the -Imperial Opera House, have successfully catere'd for the amusement of fairly numerous audiences lately. In addition to this, on Monday last a really good concert was given at the Athenaeum, at which Mdlle. Charbonnet assisted, and which was generally a thoroughly enjoyable During the last day or two a bazaar, in aid of the Karori Church, has been well patronised. Sorne able ; and impressive lectures or sermons have been delivered by Mr. Varley, the well-known Evangelist, who has attracted a fair number of hearers. His style is good, and the doctrine, he preaches purely Evangelistic, breathing a healthy and manly spirit. It is with' much regret that we have to record the death of Sir John Richardson, M.L.C. His loss has been deeply deplored by all who knew him. 'Both in private and public life he was greatly respected and esteemed, and these sentiments, towards -him have been freely and generally expressed during the past week. Sir Willia : m Fitzherbert is expected to succeed him as Speaker of the. Legislative Council.