WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3094, 17 January 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Thursday. The New Zealander this morning, referring to the departure of the Governor for Australia, says that he applied to the Government for the use of the Hinemoa, but was informed that she could not be allowed to leave New Zealand waters. It is reported that Mr Barton, M.H.R., has sold his residence at Fetoni, near the Hutt. Colonel Whitmore has arrived here.

A movement is on foot for presenting an address and a purse of sovereigns to Superintendent Atcheson, who leaves Wellington for Nelson at the end of the month. It is understood the members of the Force in Wellington made a very handsome and valuable presentation to Mra Atcheson in view of her departure. H.M.S. Nymphe arrived this afternoon from Sydney en route for England. She encountered a severe storm on Wednesday last, when Brouse, captain of the maintop, was lost overboard, and, owing to the tremendous sea running, it was impossible to rescue him. On information from Christchurch, the police about midday arrested a young man named Edward Bastings, late Station

Master at Waihola, for uttering a forged cheque for £7 6s, purporting to be signed by the General Manager of Railways, to one Henry Allen, a publican Christchurch. Prisoner is a son of Mr H. Bastings, M.H.R.

The city valuation for 1879 and '80 is £241,808, as against £207,605 last year which shows an increase of 34,203. There are 5326 ratings, and last year only 4490. This day.

The City Council lat until four o'clock this morning, discussing the drainage question, sereral members being accused of speaking against time to defeat intentions of a majority of the Council who were in favor of Mr Clarke's drainage scheme, and of placing its. carrying out under the City Engineer instead of under Mr Climie, who also drew up a drainage scheme. The Couni cil eventually decided to adopt Clarke's scheme, and to leave City Engineer to see it carried out,,adding that if Mr Climie had any claim upon the Corporation he •hould be paid.

Mr Eignold's farewell benefit took place at the Opera House last night. The house was crowded in every part. Mr O'itorke, M.H.11,, has been appointed Chairman of the Royal Commission on education. The St. Leonards leaves for London today with a cargo valued at ninety thousand pounds. Wool and tallow form the chief portion of the cargo. The ship Wairoa is also expected to leave at the same time as the St. Leonards. A deputation on behalf of the Corporation and City, waited upon the Minister for Public Works this morning to urge upon him the necessity for the immediate construction of the Eailway wharf. The deputation was informed by Mr Macandrew that all the arrangements regarding the works were so well advanced that he expected to be able to call for tenders for the work some time next week. The wharf is to be six hundred and fifty feet long.

The Primitive Methodist Conference commenced its sittings in Wellington in the First Church this morning, Nearly 30 delegates were present from rarious parts of the Colony. The Bey. Daniel Dutton, F.E.A.S., of Auckland, was eleoted President; Steward Fraser, of Dunedin, Vice-President; the Her. Joseph Sharp, of Timaru, was elected Secretary; and the Eev. James Clover and James Guy assistants. C. E. Wagner, a well known architect, was arrested to-day charged with issuing a valueless cheque. A new batch of Justices of the Peace will be gazetted shortly. It is understood the Government will decide this afternoon in Cabinet to grant one free railway pass to euch paper in the colony. The Hon. John Ballance will leave by the Bingarooma on Monday for Lyttelton, where he will'take the train and visit the principal places in the Canterbury and Otago districts. ' ,