WELLINGTON.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 315, 30 December 1884, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

[Own Corhespondent.'i Wellington h/sbeen a iain unfortunate in its holidays. On Chri tmas Eve 1. <- sb-pj in the city were g.t’.y dec irate '. and large crowds perambulate d the streets but about nine o’c ock the rain came dour, in torrents completely drenching all those who were unable to find shelter in tram cars, or under verandahs. In a very short time the streets were deserted except by a cluster of sight-seers, hurt and there, under cover, waiting patiently »r the cessation of p'uvial hostilities from above. Chisimas day was wet and disagreeable generally. Boxing Day was showery throughout, and the various excursions by rail, tram, or steamer, wen poorly attended. On Saturday the weathei cleared up. but as most of the shops and retail places were open for business, the great bulk of the population were unable to take advantage of the favourable change.

The Committee of the Wellington Benevolent Ins.itutlon cannot be complimented on the way in which it con ducts the charitable affairs of the city In fart it is no exaggeration to say that this committee has rendered itself odious’ to the people of Wellington, by the narrow minded proceedings lately made public. An old woman who arrived from Kaikou'a a week or two ago, greatly exercised the bowels of this public body. That a poor old woman, without means of support, should dare to set foot.on ti e iharf. was too much a.together for their equanimity. The committee at one jumped to the conclusion that the Chairnan of the Kaikoura County Council hao shipped her to Wellington to get rid 0. aer, and several members including, I an. sorry to say the Mayor, expressed themselves severely on the subject. Needles o relate that the offending derilect wa hipped back again without loss of tim • I’he Chairman and Clerk of the Kaikoura County Council have replied through the :o umns of the Wellington press to the ispersions cast on them, completely refining the charges made against them.

Ti>e present Government seems to b; greatly e/ercised over the proper managenent of the civil servants, particular!) <hose located in the "biggest (and ugliest) wooden bui ding in the world.” Some time ago a circular was issued to the leads of departments foruidding civi servants to take part in the meetings o public companies in which “ merchants” ind other magnates were interested. As >t was seen at once that this too drastic law would have the effect of stopping .nil scivanis from investing their money m any public undertakings, the order was ■es inded. Last week a brand new set >f official regulations was prin ed am issued to the Under-Secretarys and .leads of departments, who have been very careful to withold the text of the iocuments from the press. The new 'tiles are intended to enforce stricter attention to their duties by the clerks vhtHe time of arrival and departure at heir various offices are duly registered m books kept for the purpose, so that every minute of lost time may be recounted for. The new regulations appear to give great dissatisfaction to the Service, as being vexatious and trifling. The civil action of Mackay v. Equita)'e Insurance Association of the United Stites, for /too damages for wrongfu dismissal, was heard at the R.M. Court >n Wednesday, and resulted in a verdict o. 20» and costs for the plaintiff. The manager of the company had pair; Alackay /To before the dismissal took 1 ace, and this payment was taken into account by the Magistrate in giving the move decision.