WELLINGTON.

Southland Times, Issue 1752, 10 June 1873, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

(FEOit OTJE OTO CORRESPONDENT.) May 24. Politics still are in a stale of lull. Both sides are preparing vigorously for a desperate struggle when Parliament meets. It is very difficult to predict the issue. But for the recent elections, which all have been favorable to Ministers, I believe a change would have been inevitable. Now, however, that Nelson has, by a large majority, replaced Mr Bichardson by Mr A. Bichmond, a staunch Ministerialist, his opponent, Mr Elliott, having no show anywhere, — now tbat Lyttelton bas elected a Ministerialist, and Invercaririll too, — the Government chances decidedly are looking up. Mr Yogel has quietly assumed the ostensible post which so long has really been his, the Premiership, and tbe difficulty, which once appeared formidable, of finding a representative in the Upper House, has been solved by Dr Pollen's acceptance of office. It is true the San Francisco mail service has finally broken down, but Mr Yogel took care to dissociate himself in good time from auy connection with the objectionable Mr Webb, and has since taken steps to recover the heavy arrears of fines and penalties. Hence it is not probable that the Webb contract will form any serious stumbling-block in his way. Mr Yogel, has, however, encountered another mishap in the failure of his attempted _ per cent, loan, of which only £40,000 was tendered for out of £250,000, and that below tbe fixed minimum. Still, these are minor difficulties, and can be smoothed over- the real crux will be the disastrous event whicb has lately occurred in the extreme north.

A week or two ago, we were all startled by. a telegram from Cambridge, (the Waikato station) to tbe effect tbat a man named Sullivan had been murdered by the Kingite Maories, under circumstances whicb made it appear grievously probable that the diabolic deed was intended as tbe usual declaration of war, always made in this barbarous form. Although this view übsequently has been somewhat modified by fuller intelligence, it is far from being disposed of, and it appears undoubtedly tbat if the Maori " King" did not authorise the murder, be certainly did order the steps wbicb necessarily led to it. I need not enter into particulars, which, doubtless, you already have received direct from the spot; my part is simply to recount the effect of this calamity on the Government. Tbis can be discerned with mo3t unmistakeable clearness. Unless the Government be successful, either in obtaining tbe surrender of the murderers from the " King," or in chastising him for his contumacy, few members will venture to support a Government so self confessedly weak. The great strength of the present Ministry has been in its boasted skill and success in Native affairs as guided by Mr M'Lean, and should that prove a failure, the fall of the Ministry is certain. I give this version of the vox populi from no party point of view, but as the calm judgment of a dispassionate and unprejudiced bystander, who, as a bystander, may without presumption assume a better knowledge of the game, or rather its real prospects, than the zealous and interested players. I repeat, on their mode of dealing with this unexpected difficulty, depends tbe success or fall of the Ministry in the ensuing session

Parliament is not yet summoned for " despatch of business," but probably will meet about the beginning of July. The new Houses of Parliament are very nearly complete. They are not particularly striking externally, although in harmony with the old building to wbich they are annexed. The internal fittings and conveniences are admirable, and both the celerity with which tbe work has been done, and its intrinsic excellence, reflect aa much credit on tbe contractors, Messrs Lockie, Scoular, and Archibald, as does the design ou the Colonial Architect, Mr W. H. Clayton. I must reserve a full description until a later letter. Other Government works are going well, including the Hutt railway, wbich, after " dragging its blow length along" for many months, is now progressing rapidly, and is to be finished by September. A great colonial work, although undertaken by a private company, was completed on 2nd May, when the new Patent Slip was duly opened amid great rejoicings. For a full description of this gigantic work, I must refer you to the Evening Post, wherein an elaborate account appeared. Suffice it to say, tbat on this slip, by means of its mighty engine, a ship of 2000 tons can be hauled out of the water, high and dry, in less than half-an-hour. On the opening day, the Cyrus, a barque of 400 tons, was hauled up in 13 minutes. The slip was duly christened with a bottle of champagne " The Great Southern." Speeches followed, from the Superintendent, the Mayor, &c, &c, and all passed off well, the only contretemps being the non-arrival of the s.s. Ladybird, which brought a number of magnates and a crowd of excursionists about half-an-hour after all

was over. Tbe new waterworks — sorely neededare progressing fast, and the pipes being laid down in every street. These unlucky pipes have caused an infinite amount of quarrelling and heartburning, indeed, rows, " too numerous to mention." First the tenders were opened too soon by a section of the City Council, whence arose a terrific " shindy" in tbat august body. Then a number of pipes were discovered to have been broken in transitu, and an action was brought against the captain of tbe ship (Brechin Castle) by the Corporation, who were nonsuited by the terms of tbe bill of lading. Next, another action was brought in the Supreme Court by the City Solicitor, which proceeding being disapproved by the Council, another " row" ensued ; but at length all has been amicably settled — the Brechin Castle has sailed — and the pipes are going down speedily. Business

is most prosperous. Buildings are arising on all sides, and another large block of submerged land is to be reclaimed on the south side of the bay. Land is quickly increasing in value ; several large sales have lately been effected by the Provincial Government in the Manawatu district.