WELLINGTON.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 188, 14 September 1871, Page 5

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Since my last it has been been currently reported, and I believe with truth, that the Hon. John Hall has positively declined to join the present administration. If so, lam glad of it. His joining the present Grovernnient would mean a new born faith, his loyalty to the present powers, and his separation from his old chief, the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Such sudden convertions are not always appreciated ; and men are too ready to say, fciiafc -fclae faifcli has been brought out by a desire for loaves and fishes. ICot five loaves and two fishes, but a substantial £1000 per annum. Be this false or true, one thing is certain, that the temptation has not been great enough, and the tempter has been told to " get thee behind me Satan." If then, therefore, a now administration be formed, the Hon. John Hall and the Hon. E. W. Stafford will be colleagues. What their late colleague, the Hon. W. Fitzherbert, will do it is difficult to say. He seems to be waiting on circumstances it may be till he has finished the stopping of a frightful leak which has occurred in the ship "Wellington in which he has shipped as carpenter at the rate of 10s. per day. The damage, I believe, is a dangerous one, and will cost at least £100,000 to repair. If this sum can bo procured the vessel may be floated out of dock, and kept right for twelve months, but not longer. The old carpenter, I think, will, after finishing his present job in the Wellington, get another birth on board of a better vessel under command of Stafford or Yogel; but all this will depend upon whom he gets, the £100,000 from. In politic. all things are smooth. Members are waiting for the financial statement of the Treasurer before they openly declare themselves. The new members, OP most of them, declare themselves independent. What that means lam unable to say. It means anything but that they are supporters of the f>.) vernment. They will find before long that unity is strength, and in order to gain that point they will have to join one party or tha other, or go into a cave by themselves. If they decide on the latter course, some of their party will aspire to office, and the first opportunity they have of displacing the present occupants of the Ministerial benches they will do it.