"WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4882, 2 September 1884, Page 3

"WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

(2BOIS OTJK OWN COEEBSPOWDEKT.)

-Tbe Grey caucus, held to consider the situation, at wh'ch Mr Dargaville took tinchair, was attended by the following 17 members:—Messrs Cadmao, Reese, T. Thompson, Darfcaville. Smith, W. White. Boss, O'Connor, Turnbullv J. McKenzie, W. J. Steward, O Cailaghan, Bradshavr, Barron, J. C. Brown, Seddon, and Joyce Sir George Grey was not present, but it was explained on bis behalf that bo was Trilling to be guided by tbe voice of his friends in the formation of a Ministry, and that if they would indicate the mem bers in whom they had confidence, ho would be prepared to submit their names to His Excellency, reserving to himself the right to strike out his own name if Lidid not think he could work satisfactorily with the gentlemen named. One or two of those present were in favor of carrying out this suggestion, but the general feeling was that it would ridiculous for such a meeeting to nominate a Ministry. t-. ,A resolution was proposed that without jjyr wishing to hamper Sir George Grey the "" meeting recommended coalition with the Steut-Togel party, but the' latter p>irt of this resolution was evidently distasteful tosoroo of those present. Ss I telefrmpbed you, the result was that Sir Geo. Grey intimated to His Excellency the Governor that he was not prepared to undertake the formation of a Ministry. Mr Grigg was offered a seat ia; the Atkinson Cabinet, but declined the . proffered honor. Sir' W. Mac Arthur, in the House of Commons on tbe 3rd of July, asked whether opportunity would be afforded to trustees to make investments in Colonial Government stocks, Mr Childers replied that he would consult the Lord Chancellor on the matter.

There was a-rumor current that Sir James Prendergast, the Chief Justice, who is at present on a visit to the Old Country, will not return'to'this colony. It is known that His Honor's health is at present far from good, and this lent more color to ibe rumor. Although nothing official has been head of the matter, it has been stated that a private letter has been received denying Sir James' intention to .^i- remain at Home.

Land surveying on the west coast of this Island appears anything but a pleasant occupation according to tbe report of an attempt made by a Maori woman nnmed Nika to have her land surveyed at Kariori. On going there for that purpose, she was met by. an opposition' party of turbulent natives, headed by a Maori called Te BunauoJe Kapuriri. On asking him what be had to say, be replied, "If any man, woman, or child came to that block, he would shoot them ; in support of which he showed bis gun, opened it, and let everyone sec the-ball cartridge in it. He said there were no laws for him, and that he would blow tbe first man's head off that went there; he did not care if Nika and her people fetched 100 soldiers, he would show fight. It is almost unnecessary to say that tbe wouldbe surveyors left, thinking no doubt that they must draw tbe line at having their heads blown off. The army and navy auxiliary stores which have branches all over Great Britain, are sHlipg New Zealand mutton, and find that it commands a far readier sale than the Australian article, to which they are said to have given a trial before^ trying the New Zealand produce. I hear en good authority that Mr "William Hutchison, late member for fcouth Wellington intends to contest the next vacancy that occurs in tbe South Island. He was entertained at Bellamy's at a banquet, at which Mr Macandrew took the chair, and left for Dunedin, where he is in future going to reside.

There is a rumor current here that there . will be a rise in the tea market to the extent of 3d a pound if tbe war between France and China does not cease shortly. Bellamy's is likely to be well supplied .with cheese this season, nearly every new factory sending up a sample to be put ob the (able. Should there be any biscuit factories who make good biscuits, or any enterprising wine merchants who want some of their goods sampled, just advise them to trot some samples down this way, and there will be a faint hope of j a free banquet at Bellamy's over the poli« tical struggle combined with the generosity of the cheese factories. &c. In connection^ with the cheese business, there is a story that a Donedin member, who has a great weakness for cheese, sat down to Iqneh, and asked someone to pass the cheese, which they. did. It was Wanganui cheese, and repeating the r; quest as he required it, lie got about fifteen kinds of cheese— this speaks well for his appetite.