OUR WELLINGTON LETTER.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3977, 27 September 1881, Page 2

OUR WELLINGTON LETTER.

(FBOM OUB SPECIAL COBBESPONDENT.)

Wellington, Sept. 22. THE CLOSE OF PABLIAMENT.

The Parliament just expired will long be remembered as the one of jobs and squaring members, especially needy ones, and a few who know full well that their names would never again appear in the records of Parliament as the representatives of the people of New Zealand. The bounce with which the Colonial Treasurer talked in connection . with The Public Revenue Bill satisfied me that the squaring process had been successful, more par ticulariy in the votes of Hamlin, Fisher, and Finn. Ido not know what induced the two former to rote with the Government, but the latter I hear is to get the Crown Prosecutorship at Gisborne. Uamlin has remained behind, and judging from his constant, visits to the principal offices in the Government buildings he is not without hope of something coming to him, but it would be perhaps injudicious giving currency to the rumor as to what it is to be. Even the Speaker went away all beams and smiles, having euchred Swanson and Hurst over the Onehunga Reserves Bill. It is stated that O'Uorke and Willie are eworn enemies. Old Freddy was wired to from Auckland to. hurry back, owing to the conflicting element brought out for some of the Auckland constituencies, and to advise what Clark, Bruce, Colbeck, and Moat should do in conjunction with others in relation to the geueral scramble for seats at the next general election. Sir George Grey having gone north, Mr Whitaker was very anxious that he should not have the start, of him in the provincial capital a day sooner than he could help. Sheehan has not yet definitely decided what seat he will contest. I suppose your respected County Chairman is anxiously awaiting final advice. The number of new names for southern constituencies does not foreshadow much good to the present ministry.

I presume your Attorney General will have a little to say in fixing the dates for the elections. Take my advice, do not depend upon the Auckland papers for correct intelligence as to the time, but strongly urge all persons to register forthwith. One of the principal reasons which actuates the new hurried move is no doubt attributable to a couple of new Ministers and a batch of lords which is to be gazetted, and these, no doubt, will be all ready for notification at a time when the country will be so absorbed in the great question that they will lose | sight of this new infringement of the peoples'liberties. I THE AUCKLAND E.M. There is some very spicy correspondence I going ou between Mr Barstow and the Justice Department over the resignation of the former. The question of pensions is no doubt a hitch, but as ho is a Ministerial friend matters may be got over, unless, indeed, which is likely to be the cases, Shrimski's Pensions Bill has put it out of the hands of any Minister—aye, even should he only be a nominee one— to sanction its being got. Whilst on pensions, I believe I am not far out in saying that Soapy Dan's exalted opinion of the Hall Cabinet is the reverse of complimentary, and accounts partly for his I early departure from his place in the I Lords long before his valuable services could be spared by the Honorable the Attorney-General. Here is another opportunity afforded the first law officer , of the Crown to confer an honor on one of his friends, and as Mr Wbitaker's popularity, I hear, is fast increasing in Auckland, he will have a capital chance for further augmenting the strange esteem in which he is reported to be publicly held. The Honorable Fred may, however, not make the appointment, but wait on the chapter of accidents to see who is the most fitted to place in the Eesident Magistrates chair in conjunction with Mr Macdonald —one of the very few appointments, which reflected credit on Mr Sheehan, daring his Ministerial term of office. ANOTHER GOOD STROKE OP GOVERNMENT POLICY. His Excellency's Ministers have reduced the pay of constables and noncommissioned officers, sixpence per day. This is no doubt " welcome " intelligence to the poor fellows interested, but it does Seem singular that the gaol officers should be raised in screw and policemen reduced. It must, however, be borne in mind that constables and sergeants cannot vote at elections, otherwise it is not improbable that the pay would be " touched " ; but so it is with this paternal Government, who is so fond of going into retrenchment wholly on " public grounds." I think if the police have no votes, they can at all events exercise a good deal of influence before and during the elections, and my straight tip to them is, do all you can to consign the Native Minister, and his colleagues to the realm where defeated candidates have to go when rejected^-to Coventry. Much good in this respect can be done by means of personal conversations, and I sincerely hope the members of the force, iv all parts, of the colony, will take this timely hint and do the needful for John Hall aud Co.