Our Wellington Letter.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3768, 25 January 1881, Page 2

Our Wellington Letter.

(fbom ovr own cobbespondent.)

Wellington, Jan. 17,1881r THE;iijATEST POLITICAL MOVE.

Ministers are now quite resigned to their fate a& they know that they will be beaten at the very commencement of the session. Some of their pretended know* ing followers believe it will be their trump card to see one or two of their supporters detach themselves from their party, court a defeat, and then, as it is the last of a dying Parliament, ask the Governor for a dissolution, which they (the Government) assert cannot be refused them by ' Sir Arthur Gordon. Herein lies all the trouble, and perhaps all the anxiety; Ibut as I am not the son of a prophet nor yet one myself, I do not know how far these rumors will be realised. , . ,■

- - ' -£ : - MB ROLLESTON S SUCCESSOR*

Everything points to Captain Sussell, of Napier, being taken into the Ministry, and appointed Minister of Lauds-- and Justice. Other followers of the Hall Government believed that they would not be forgotten, but they should recollect that the Premier and his colleagues are like many of the clergymen of the present day, very often unmindful of past favors, but always thankful for those that are to come. '■'•■'"

THE CABINET IN A ittTDDLE. The Government very unwisely allowed the secretary or clerk to the Cabinet to go as one tf^f the Colonial Secretary's body guard to Sydney; the result is that a novice has been appointed to fill thffS:position, who knows very little of thdfc^ records, and is likely 7 to be the means of bringing about nothing but end- : less confusion. It is not, however, to be [wondered at, for even the most slavish | followers of the Executive say Ministers are doing nothing but bungling everything connected with public affairs all ov.er the c010ny...,.". .. MESSES BICHABDSON AND "WAKBFIEIiD* The Governor's advisers are in trouble. Mr Wakefield, the member for Geraldine, has not been provided for, and Mr Richardson, whom the Premier thought j he could do something for, is left out in j the cold. So wroth was Mr Wakefield against the Ministry towards the close of last session that previous to the prdroga- | tion he divided the House against them three times. Fancy such conduct from the son-in-law of the Premier. Matters are now being put in train for smoothing over both Mr Wakefield and Mr Richard, son, but I am doubtful if either can be " squared," as the couplet are as uncertain as either Hurst or Shank*, and that is saying a good deal. The storm is brewing over the Government political camp, and no sooner will the House meet than canonading will commence, and hand grenades will be thrown into the Ministerial camp. . - —

SIB WILLIAM FOX AND HIB STAFF. The total abstainer, Sir William Fox, is travelling on the West Coast somewhere. Anything relating to his morements will be at duly and widely tele,

graphed as some minor item of intelligence -which takes place now at cabinet meetings presided over by Mr Hall the leader of Sir WilliamVparty. BUMOBED BB8I&NATION OF BILLY BTTANSON. The retirement of Mr William Swangon, member for Newton, is the latest {jolitical on dit telegraphed from Auckand. Willy is reported as being very wild with everybody, but the honorable member should recollect that his downfall had entirely been brought about by his own conceit and puffed up vanity. His cheek in writing to the chairman of the several highway boards in his electorate to send him suggestions as to the' boundaries of Newton, and proposed ones for the new electoral district contemplated—Ponsonby —was a cool piece of business, and quite on a par with compelling the present Attorney-General to purchase palatial buildings for the Newton police barracks. Mr Swanson, I suppose, was anxious to be parish priest for the Newton representation division, and equally anxious to have (he appointment of his own curate for Ponsonby. Willies popularity is largely on the wane, and he may find it difficult to obtain even a seat for himself in case he. seeks re-election. Many of Southern, mpmbers will never trust him again, and I feel certain that his "ratting" ■.will: never be forgotten—in fact, he will "godown to his grave " politically unwept, unhonored and unsung." The telegram announcing his probable resignation mentions that he is only a wreck of his former self. This is no doubt true.