NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5307, 29 March 1878, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH. MARCH. JPVw Ini the P.M.C.S. City of Sydney from Auckland on the 2nd April, to Europe, via nan Erancisco. Since the publication of our last summary there has not been much stirring in politics here. Sir, George Grey’s stumping tour has been brought to a con--clusion, and he is now back in Wellington. He has been very well received at the several places he has visited, and has, as usufd, made some very flowery speeches and indulged in a good deal of “tall talk.” Whether he will redeem a tithe of the promises made during the recess remains to be seen next session, which it is understood will meet, at the latest, early in July. The personnel of the House will be slightly altered before that time, as several vacant seats will shortly have to be tilled up. The probabilities lire that, just at the present time, Ministerial supporters will be returned. The long-expected vacancy for the Wairarapa District has not yet taken place, and the probabilities are that it will not be vacated. Mr. Bonny has notyet been “provided for,” and seems to have overstood the market. Many of the Wairarapa electors think, not unnaturally, that Mr. Bunny is making a convenience of them, and are not at all pleased with him, but matters look as if ho would stick to his seat till next session.

Mr. G. E. Barton, the recently-elected member for the city, has addressed his constituents. A report of his speech will he found in another portion of our -columns, by which it will be seen that his political views are, as they were supposed to be, of a thoroughly ultra-demo-cratic character. The “ row ” between the Judges and the honorable member, of course, formed a feature in the latter’s oration. During a recent trip which the honorable and learned member made to the South, he brought his case under the notice of thejocal “ Bar,” who, without ..endorsing his views, or necessarily espousing his cause, consider it a case for inquiry. The matter, therefore, will most likely be brought before Parliament next - session, and it is possible that it may be referred to a committee to report upon. ' The case has caused considerable discussion already in the columns of the New 1 Zealand and Australian Press, and has also been noticed in the London Law Times.

In the course of next month the line of railway is expected to be open for traffic -between Poston and Wanganui, and when this is accomplished a daily coach will be put on between Wellington and Foxton, so that the journey between the capital and Wanganui can be accomplished in one day. It is understood that the delivery of the mails will also be in like manner accelerated. This will be a great convenience to the public, and especially to business people. The Wellington and Masterton line is being pushed on, but ■ not quite so rapidly as the Wairarapa settlers would like to see. • The line is as yet only open to Kaitoke, thirty miles from Wellington, and although there are considerable engineering difficulties for a portion of that distance, this does not seem very rapid progress, considering that the work has been in hand for several years, almost, indeed, since the initiation of the Public Works Policy in 1870. .'.When the rising townships in the fertile valley,of the Wairarapa are brought into direct communication with the capital, a • great additional stimulus will be given to the trade and commerce of the locality. During the month several land sales have taken place, and good prices continue to be maintained both for town and country lots. This and the continued ■ healthy state of the labor market are most satisfactory indications of our material prosperity. There have been several fires during the past few weeks, but none of them of any magnitude. Owing to the promptitude with which our two local fire brigades ■turn out as soon as an alarm is sounded and hasten to render assistance, and also to the fact that we have now a good water supply, . the fires have been confined ■ to the premises in which they originated. The most serious of the fires referred to took place at a board and lodging house in Willis-street, which was completely gutted. Pull particulars of the occurrence will be found in another portion of our columns. In connection with this subject, it may be worthy of mention that the causes of these fires is presumed to be accidental, with one notable exception, in which it is evident that a deliberate attempt was made to set fire to the .'Evening Argus printing office. Little or no damage was done, but from an inspection of the premises on the morning after, there can be no doubt that, an, incendiary had been at work, although, happily, his attempt was' unsuccessful. Jl reward of £IOO is offered by the Insurance Companies Association for such information as will lead to the conviction of the offender. The matter is in the hands of the police, and it is to be hoped the culprit will be brought to justice. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court will commence on Monday next. The calender contains no heinous offences, •and their absence may be taken as another sign of the prosperity of the people, especially of the working classes, if such a. term may be used in a community where the great body may be termed working men. A scheme to construct a railway from a point on the existing line to the Hutt along the West Coast to Palmerston, is being favorably considered, and we hear that Parliament will be asked next session to vote the necessary funds. This would ■open up a great extent of level and fertile country, well adapted for the most part for small farm settlements, and promises, when completed, to be a reproductive work.

At the quarterly licensing meetings throughout the district, held during the early part of the month, the commissioners have been reluctant to grant new applications, thinking that there is already a sufficient number of public-houses to meet the wants of the community. In ono or two instances, however, this course of action has been departed from, and licenses for hew hotels have been issued. One coming under this category is the (hotel adjoining the Princess Theatre in Tory-street.

All qualified persons whose names are not yet on the electoral roll must till up' the necessary forms, and send them into the Returning Officer not later than tomorrow, otherwise they will be disfranchised for another twelve months, Notwithstanding the fact that this has been repeatedly pointed out by the local Press, it is probable that some will omit to send in their names in time. A good many additions, however, it is believed, will bo, found to havobcen made to the rolls of last year when they are made up; and on the East Coast, at Hawke’s Bay and other localities, the Maoris have "availed themselves. largely of the privilege. At the next general election* therefore, the

I Maori vote will exercise considerable influence in certain localities, notably those referred to. , - ; (

In the way of amusement, Wellington, as Usual, has been very well off during the last month. The Theatre Royal continues to draw fair houses nightly. The next “show ” of any magnitude expected here is Cooper and Bailey’s Circus, which is to be exhibited on a piece of ground covering some three acres, on the reclaimed laud, near the Government buildings. J