WELLINGTON NEWS. The Trunk Railway Route.-A Ridioulous Canard, Wellington, May 30.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 53, 7 June 1884, Page 6

WELLINGTON NEWS. The Trunk Railway Route.-A Ridioulous Canard, Wellington, May 30.

The statement in yesterday's Auckland " Herald " that Govornmonfc has positively lesolvedto recommend the central routo for tho North Island trunk railway created considerable amusement horo. Tho same statement also, 1 believe, appeared in the Otaeo " Times " and Christchurch " Press." 1 havo authority for stating that it is a ridiculous canard. Honourable Mr Mitchelson only commenced to write his report on tho central and western routes this morning, and as this will occupy him scvoral *" days, the matter will not come before tho Cabinet for decision till Tuesday or Wodnesday next. Until Ministers have that loport before them they certainly will not como to any docision. lam authorised to stato that as soon as tho llouso decides on tho lino, Mr Mitchelson will be prepared to let contracts at both ends, irrespective cf which route is chosen. Working plans for any of the routes are not yot complote, but as Government purpose letting the lino in ten-mile sections, tho lirht contracts will be ready for letting a month after the decision of the House. Mr Mitchelson will report tho eastern or Napier route quite out of the question. There was a meeting- of the Cabinet last evening, at. which seme desultory conversation re railways took place, but Major Atkinson stated that nothing could be done till Mr Mitcholson's report was to hand.

Mr Pilliott's Resignation. It is rumoured that Mr Pilliett, member for Stanniorc. has forwarded his resignation to the Speaker. Nothing is known about it in oilicitil circles here.

Tho Press and Parliament. There will bo heavy metal in tho Press Gallery this session. Mr Twopenny, editor of tho "Otago Daily Times," and Mr Lou^hnan, editor of tho " Lyttolton Times,'' will represent their respective journals.

Grant to Mrs Mulliolland. At last night's Cabinet sitting, it was decided to recommend the granting of a gratuity of L'24o to the widow of tlio late James Mulliolland, clerk of the Stamp OiHce at Auckland.

The Hinenioa's Run Down. The Hinemoa 1 cached hero yesterday afternoon at, 5 o'clock, after a rough passage. The run from Mnnukau to Cape Egmont occupied 17 hours (the longest on record), but Captain Fairchild made good time from there to Wellington. On arriving at the wharf here His Excellency was received by all the members of the Government.

The Hinemoa's Return to Auckland The Hinemoa returns to Manukau this afternoon, and it is expected she will bring Sir Maurice O'Korko to Wellington.

Tho Ashburton Election. The writ for Ashburton seat will not bo issued until tho meeting of Parliament.

Tho Cabinet and the Trunk Railway Route, Wklltnoton, June 2. Mtm.stkr.s were in Cabinet all Saturday afternoon, and consequently were quite inaccessible. The business before them was purely of a routine character, namely to arrange the work of tho session. The Cabinet again sits this afternoon, when it will no doubt consider Mr Mitchelson's report on the railway lines, which he has ju^t completed. Up to 11 o'clock to-day, only one Minister (Mr Bryce) had seen the report.

The Doomsday Book. Tho doomsday book, to which Major Atkinson alluded -while in Auckland, will, ■uhen completed, contain SOO pages of punted matter. Besides the Government Plinting Ollice other Wellington offices ax*o at woik in its productions.

Proposed Alterations on the Electoral Laws. I have ascertained that the amendments that Government purposemaking ontheelectoral law of the colony are embodied in four bills— viz., a bill to amend the regulations of Elections Act, a bill to amalgamate certain city electorates, a bill to amend the registration of voters, and a bill to provide for the issue of electors right. The city constituency amalgamation measure purposes dealing with Auckland, Chriatchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington. With respect to Auckland, the schedule of the bill purposes on amalgamating City North, East, and West only. I believe, but cannot state positively, that one of the provisions of the Regulation of Elections Bill provides that all contests at the general election shall not be held on one day. The principal provision of the Electors Rights Bill secures the i^ue ot tickets to electors. If the registration officers or postmasters, without such tickers, certify to the bearer's identity with the name on the roll, electors will not be precluded from voting.

The Governor's Speech. The Governor's speech has been printed and distributed amongst ministers, but, of couse, its contents are kept a dead secret.