Wellington Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 33, 10 November 1894, Page 9

Wellington Notes.

l_From our own Correspondent.]

Of course the topic of general conversation has been the terrible disaster that has overtaken the unfortunate Wairarapa. Throughout the length and breadth of the land has that shocking occurrence had effect. Various have been the theories advanced to account for the sad disaster, and unmerciful have been many of the judgments formed. It may be at once conceded that a great error of judgment, to put it delicately, was committed, and it should be added that the blame attachable to the catastrophe should not rest on the shoulders of only one ; and that one has expiated his offence —if offence there has been —by his death. Pending the magisterial enquiry about to be held in Auckland, it is not just to go into the particulars of the tragical event. We are advancing a little. An exhibition was held during the week in the New Zealand Electrical Syndicate’s premises displaying not only the usual instruments for lighting purposes, but, in addition, cooking utensils, such as frying pans, kettles, stoves, etc. So soon as the coal gives out we will have another agency to rely upon for cooking as well as motive power: The advent of Mrs Annie Besant, it was anticipated, would give rise to much controversial correspondence in the paper’s. This has not eventuated. Mrs Besant’s visit has been a success from a business point of view, and a great treat to her listeners in an elocutionary way. The talented lecturess is possessed of rare oratorical power, and her efforts cannot but have an educational tendency, notwithstanding differences of opinion regarding the ethics ef her belief. The dairy industry is, in this island, attracting considerable attention, and, notwithstanding the expected rise in wool, promises to excite the mind of the settler some more. The endeavour of the Government to husband this industry is bearing good fruit, and should be rewarded with success. Much of the southern land could be turned Ho good account in the same direction. The recently-selected Bishop of Wellington who is about to start on his way to his See, accompanied by the Bishop of Salisbury, is quite a young man somewhere about 41 years of age. Ho is possessed of very scholarly attainments, and credited with having considerable tact. It is to [be hoped he will sustain the latter portion of the bill, as he will have the handling of some of the most peculiar elements in the way of church dignitaries' that the chief of a diocese ever had to regulate and keep in order.^ Very satisfactory evidence of the good work done by the inaugurators of the Boys’ Institute was given by an entertainment which took place this week. Ambulance drill, club and bayonet exercises, and a band performance by the toys showed what care and time had been bestowed by the benevolent promoters of this very useful institution. Many boys have been taken from the streets and turned to thoughts of useful life by their efforts. Larrikinism is on the increase in our city, and something approaching the Mount Eennie outrage was nearly chronicled this week. , We have luckily been free from offences committed by “ pushes,” as they have been called in Australia, and that notwithstanding the invading hordes of all sorts and condition of persons who have come across the Tasman Sea. A ruffianly crowd of hoodlums, whose ages ranged from about 17 to 20 years, caught a woman and carried her to a right-of-way, where three of them committed an offence for which they should be placed where there would be little chance

of their similarly offending. Much may be said in favour of our system of State education, but there appears to be a sad lack of moral teaching as applied to the rising generation. The present generation principally brought up under the same system, doesn’t seem to possess the same parental control exercised with beneficial effect by our grandfathers and grandmothers. Cricket people in Wellington do not seem to appreciate the idea of a visit from the team of English cricketers now in Australia. They are not dispossd to raise £258 for the purpose of seeing a Home team ; so even if time would Bllow the Englishmen to pay us a visit—and it is unlikely they could spare it the necessary guarantee wanld not be forthcoming. The principle is probably right. If those travelling teams are prepared to accept all the profits and other advantages of a successful portion of their trip they should be inclined to take a little risk for another part of it. The noble game is not all that they go in for, and it tends to reduce the level of the thing to make it as profitable as anything. Although an exposition of cricket by such a team as Stoddart has got together would be of advantage to New Zealand players and a pleasure for lovers of the game to witness, it by no means follows that each city should guarantee hundreds of pounds to induce speculators to give “ a taste of. their quality.” They should take the risk. A number of those who left here and other parts of the colony for the New Eldorado Coolgardie, are getting back as fast as their leg and various steamers can carry them. Every Australian boat brings a contingent of sorry returners from the late scene of excitement. In vain has it been pointed out that it is unutterable futility to expect to achieve anything like success on such a field without financial staying power, and even with the possession of that the ordinary chances have to be taken. The great disadvantages, climatic and otherwise, should make even a capitalist pause ere rushing into a splendid chance of shortening his life. New Zealand is good enough from any ordinary point of view. The season for agricultural and pastoral shows crowds upon us, Most successful events of the kind have been held in the Manawatu and Wairarapa districts and we have the Wellington exposition next week. The country shows have exceeded previous years in every way. Following that we have an extraordinary dog show—as regards entries, the number and quality of the collies being exceptionally good ; and then comes the racemeeting. Our hands are fairly well full in those particular lines. The Evoning Press, which has been sailing in troubled waters for some time, has ceased publication after an existence of about eleven years. Under the editorial guidance of Mr E. Wakefield it was a real live paper ; but, after he left the chair thing's se 3 m to have become, if not flat and stale, at least unprofitable, Various changes have from time to time taken place in the management and editorship, but the close up has come. It would appear that one evening paper suffices for Wellington. This is the second that has climbed down.