Our Wellington Letter.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3750, 4 January 1881, Page 2

Our Wellington Letter.

(fbom oub own cobbespondent.)

Wellington, Dec. 28,1880.

TUBI'S EXECUTION.

The indecent haste of the Government in sending this unfortunate wretch to the scaffold is likely to be the cause of a select committee when the House meets. In the record of our colonial criminal courts, I believe nothing can be shown where the conviction and execution of a murderer have followed so quickly on each other. When Mr Bowen was Minister of Justice, some members of the House, in the course of their speeches, believed the ghost of Curtain, who was hanged for the murder of Skanaghan at Araramu near Drury, in your provipcial district, would rise before him during the balance of his lifetime; and should the present occupant of that portfolio have any conscience, I have no doubt but the happy despatch business connected with Tub! will perpetually rise in his mind, and ask him how should he have liked himself to be thus launched into eternity if similarly placed. It is said that Governments have no heart; then by analogous reasoning we may conclude that it applies a fortiori to individual members of it, aud more particularly to Mr Bolleston, the present Minister of Justice, in this instance. THE GOVEBNOB AND MINISTEES. There is no doubt but there is an awakening fear in the minds of ministers that they will not long pull con amore..with Sir Arthur Gordon, and an open rumpus at any time may be the consequence ; and then, well, I suppose their resignations or an early meeting of Parliament will be gazetted. The mere fact of the Colonial Secretary not being the minister in attendance on His Excellency during his early projected visit to various parts of the Colony has something in it which savors of things not going smooth. You may depend upon the fact that the Governor is well posted up in all questions relating to the public policy of the country from an outside and independent source, | and one which the Government would never dream of. The" releasing of so many native prisoners at present is a course in which the ministry had to give way, and unless I am much mistaken there will be very few of these native prisoners in durance vile at the close of the financial year in March next. Mr Fitzgerald, the Comptroller-General, was despatched at the wijl of some of the Cabinet without the authority of Parliament, whilst the sending of Mr Hursthouse as interpreter-to Te Whiti with the Governor's private secretary is considered a gross blunder. The Southern Press especially, both here, in Otago, and Canterbury, are writing dead against the feeling of.the electors, and as a natural consequence in a very short time it will bring about the outcrop of their deep, rooted dissatisfaction with the present Premier and his. colleagues, and damage them considerably. „

Teddy Wakefield, as the Honourable member for Geraldine is called, has got a roasting from his constituents, and it was only* when he went outside of his electorate to address a public meeting that he succeeded in getting a vote of confidence. The editor of the Wairarapa Standard has been giving it hot for the advances, which it alleges one banking institution* have made and are making to various newspaper proprietors. The prevailing opinion is that should it be as represented the directors at the head office will be obliged to do something. THE ATTOBNEY-GENEBAL's MOVEMENTS. Private wires from Auckland go to show that the Hon. Mr Whitaker has been on a political mission to Hamilton. Possibly the telegraphic cypher code was not so well known at Hamilton as in Auckland. It is whispered also that Mr Russell's interests was the principal cause of bis goiflg to Waikato.

Mr Macdenald, a native scholar, and whose incarceration formed a question in the House last session, has gone to Auckland from the West Coast in connection with Patetere. This gentleman is to be the bosom friend of the Hon. the Native Minister when he goes North to arrange about the blocks of land which the Hon. Mr Bryce has stated will be Crowngranted for Government advances.; There is no doubt but tbafc Mr Macdonald is specially sent up to help the completion of Patetere negociations. Already he has the free use of the telegraphic wires, and is in constant communication with the Waikato.natives who are owners or part owners of the various parcels of land. The country will be "glad" to hear of Mr Bryce having Mr Macdonald for a colleague when he gets to Waikato to settle with the Patetere Company. The Association are' quite satisfied now that they will get the lands, but I am still very doubtful on the point, and doubly so from the requisite signatures not being attached to the preliminary documents. MB M'CAUaHEN AND MB WM. JOHN HTTBST.

A. memorable conversation which took place between Pat McCaughen, member for JRiverton, and one of your Auckland rats, Mr Hurst, and which occurred after Mr Seddon's attack on the latter person during the last meeting of the House, is being got ready for circulation amongst hon. members when it is summoned for the despatch of business. From what I can hear of the document, it will prove a terrible weapon against the' political motives which actuated the member for City West in deserting his party, taking his view of the matter as the groundwork. From Auckland we are'alto promised some very spicy correspondence, and i telegrams written and forwarded by the | hon. gentleman in vindication of his action —especially the portions connected -with his wholesale attack on Sir George Grey, and the whole body of the -present Oppe-» sition. ■ i - MESSES WHITAKEE AND SHEEHAIi. I saw a telegram from a gentleman in Auckland in which amongst other things was slated that the partnership of Messrs Sheehan and Whitakex was not likely to continue. Sorely the sender must be drawing the lqagbow. It is whispered that one^r two of the Judges are- about retiring on pensions, and that in case of a vacancy, one of the new occupants of the Supreme Court will be Mr Hesketh of Auckland. Of course, the Ministerial press will at once say there is nothing in it, but there is. Judge Johnston is the likely one to be pen* sioned. There is much uneasiness amaagst civil servants here about" rumored &~wt

changes," but the exact nature of the proposals I am not in possession of, and cannot pet an*y reliable information as to how the eatyumps. That the whole army is on the tiptoe of uncertainty there is no doubt, and ;men*jrho have served the colony within a year or perhaps a few months of being entitled to a pension, are now in fear and trembling in case there may be some excuse or other for them losing their positions and be deprived of what is undoubtedly their rights by the laws of the colony. (

MB SHEEHAN TO JOIN THE GOVEENMENT, It is thought that before the House is in session Mr Sheehan will join the Hall Government, but this I think is very unlikely. The Government in not appointing a minister from the representative of the Auckland provincial district, long ere this, is a matter which no one can understand, unless indeed it is owing to them having^!he control of both the Auckland papers. Why one or both Auckland journals have not,advocated the appointment I am at a loss to know, but our readers may depend upon it that circumstances have already transpired which compel the Cabinet to take the subject into their serious consideration. Dangling a portfolio before certain members in anticipation of their votes is played out for this Parliament, and unless the Auckland , members absolutely resort- wiihout delay in getting one 1 of themselves gazetted as a minister you will find out, perhaps when too late, that your interests have been sacrificed to windy Wellington or some other graball district in the favored parts of the middle island. Let the Thames take a hint and action also.