OUR WELLINGTON LETTER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4057, 8 March 1892, Page 2

OUR WELLINGTON LETTER.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WfiMMToros, Monday, The past week ba9 notbeen strikingly eventful, yet perhaps I may be able to interest your readers by detailing some of the chief occurrences.

THE WEATHER, ' that dernier imort of most conversational .Englishmen, satirised by Max o' Ml as the staple topic of an Anglo-Saxon's remarks, has been, tn use a stereo-typed phrase, " simply delighlf'il "during the.. week -cilm, hot, and yet exhilarating days-days that when Port Nicholson chooses to smile in this respect, are to my mind unequalled in any clime you maydoiire to reside in. Judging from the basso of smoke that lias hung over Wellington of late, the bush .burnings in our immediate vicinity have been going on right merrily. I trust the same has been tho case with you in the Wairarapa, Many disappointed settlers I know have been hoping that a "goodburn" would eventuate this seasoj, and to some extent thus wipe out the hard luck of the past two or threa seasons, We in Wellington—town-mice though we may be—can fully appreciate what a good clearing burn moans to the struggling bush " cockatoo,"

The reply of Dr Macgregor, Inspector of Hospitals and Lunatio Asylums, with reference to the housing of the AGED POOU in Wellington and district has brought down a torrent of indignant protests against the dootor's dictum " that the request i 3 quite inexcusable," and that the land applied for by the Wellington Benevolent Society cannot be granted for the purpose of building a home in the environs of the town as a refugo for tho aged needy. One's opinions and sympathies are divided on the matter, Much as wo would like to see the aged and needy old couples carefully tended" and comfortably provided for in their declining yoars, yet I cannot think that the Rev Mr Van Staveren's scheme for town refuges is to be commended, Much as I admiro as a kind-hearted., charitable, and large-minded man, the worthy Eabbi, yet, methinks he is aptat times to be a little erroneous in his ideas, Dr Macgregor has, I think, in" bis cold, mutter-of-faot official reply, proved conclusively that it will .iot do to have these refuges in the vicinity of towns. I am sure that a warmer-hearted man than the worthy dootor in his private capacity does not exist, but he is not one to allow sentiment to warp bis sense. To me it seems deplorable that the necessity for such homes should exist in a young country like this, but as, alas, the necessity does exist, let uj make these poor old people- toilers who have no doubt borne " the beat and. burden of the day," in helping, perhaps, to build up this fine country to what it is at present, and who bave, perhaps, sunk oppressed to the earth by the weight of their burdens, —let us make, I say, the few remain., ing years of their lives a oomfort to them; let us plaoe them in cottage homes with a morleat garden plot, lot tho pure air of heaven invigorate their enfeebled frames, and the bright flowers and green fields of a peaceful country spot brighten their fast-fading existence. All these cannot be obtained m the towns, and it seems to me that with a competent superintendent and a small staff of male and female attendants, that these village homes would be far the cheaper, as it iB by far the most pleasant Bystem of providing for unfortunate old age. That gloriously successful champion of the great Liberal cause MR W. Ji'IEAN, 81.E.R,, celebrated his late famous victory by a | social gathering at theSkatingßinkon Monday last.Complimentary speeches, refreshments, mutual back-pattings, and the " light fantastic toe" comprised the programme for the evening. All the would-bfi Upper House legisWon were there in full force, but the Premier, to his everlasting regret, was unable to be present at the gay and festive scene, SYNODS AND CONFERENCES,

Synods, conferences and meotings of all sorts and conditions have inflicted themselves upon Wellington of late. At present that august body, tho University Senate, are gracing our city by their presence, Their profoundaudoruditedeliberationshave been pleasingly relieved by a smart little debate on the disadvantages of the public presentation of degrees and diplomas. These " grave arid reverend seignors'l; or, iq bestriotlyoorrect, tlio most fossilisod portion of them, objeot strongly to the, "time honoured" expressions of delight and disapproval that take place amongst the under-graduates at the annual " capping" ceremony. Certainly, at times, tho proceedings are somewhat uproarious, but it is a privilege allowed by the precedents of older alma maters than ours is—a function that it would be a pity to sweep away. JM old age is over unmindful of youth I Fortunately the good sense of the majority prevailed, and the proposal "to post the degrees and the diplomas" was ignominiously defeated-thanks to the happy speech of genial-Dr Fitchett. A liltlei nonsense now and then is "relished by the wisest men"; consequently this gay and giddy throng of " dons and doctors, professors and prootors," attended en masse at the conversazione given by the Philosophical Society in the Museum. It was wonderful to note what intenso interest was displayed by the younger portion of the guests of both sexes, in the elaborately carved Maori house, whose dim r«cesses absorbed a great many during the course of the evening, who were no doubt closely engaged in archaeological reaearob, A very pleasant evening was spent by the numerous guests in strolling about, listening to the delightful strains of the excollem string band which has attracted such attention in the streets of Wellington of late, Apropos of the conversazione reminds me that Lady Prendergast, wife of His Excellency, tho Administrator of Government, entertained a large party

AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE on Thursday afternoon. A most enjoyable time was occupied in sauntering through the protty grounds of Government House, watching the tennis players and listening Garrison Band, who discoursed sweet rnusio on the! front lawn, During the afternoon a concert took place in the large drawing room, in which most of our leading amateurs took part. ' The meeting held on Wednesday evening to take into consideration the question of raising funds to send the

ATULEIIO TEAM TO ENOIAND was largely attended and the pro. ceedinga were most enthusiastic. Several ; 'handsorne donations were promised and" an energeiip- panvas for funds has been the malt, That Messrs Batger and Hempton, tho .champion hurdler and sprinter,

will worthily represent the Colony there is no doubt. Anyhow, th e whole tour will bo a advertisement for New Zealand, setting aside the keen interest with which the performances of our two representatives will be watched by English and Colonials alike, If any of your readers wish to add their mites to this laudable object, contributions will be received by the Honorary Secretary (Mr J. B. Triug.ham, of Messrs J, B, Tringham and Co, Wellington), and needless to say they will be most welcome.

I hear that tho new proprietary of the NEW ZEALAND TIMES has appointed the Hon W. P. Reeves managing editor. Mr Reeves is well-known as a finished and accomplished journalist, and with •he- literary aid ot other noted members of the Liberal party, the New Zealand Times should be a tower of strength to the oause. In commercial circles there is great rejoicing over the fact that the EXPORT OF WOOL this season largely exceeds that of any post year. If good prices are only realised at the forthcoming London wool sales the joy will be increased (en fold. Let us hope that suoh will be the case, The contractors for the extension of tho RAILWAY TO TE ARO have made t> start with their work, Our harbour is being further encroached upon by more reclamation in order that the line may run along Custom-house Quay, without interfering with the traffic. It remains to be seen whether thi3 extension will not turn out a white elephant to the Wellington people alter all. Rous wrrons. As a sign of the growing PROSPERITY 01' WELLINGTON the building trade is very brisk at present. The new warehouse for Messrs W. M. Bannatyne and Co. in Hunter St, is oow nearly completed, and forms a handsome addition to our street architecture. Mr Wiggins, saddler, has just had a fine anil commodious shop of three stories c-raitd on Lambton Quay, 1 hear, also, that the Colonial Mutual Life Insurance Company intend building very shortly two large three-storied warehouses in Harbour Street. The alterations to the premises of- the nowly-forined Junior Wellington Club, in Johnston Street, below the Occidental Hotel, are now almost finished, and a very complete and commodious club house is the result: Messrs Bannatyne and Co, are also altering their old premises and forming them into suites of oflioes and a warehouse. House building is going onevery where, and it is difficult to obtain a house of any size in Wellington just now as they are/so quickly lot, The question of , CITY SANITATION

has been re-opened by our new Mayor, If amovement in this direction ismade during his tenure of office, Mr Bell may well congratulate himself on having rendered Wellington a service that will mane his name live in the annals of the chief magistracy. It will be an Augean task, and now is tbo time for Mr Bell to provo himself to bo the Heroulea that has achieved it.

The Opera House has been crowded nightly during the week to witness the representation of the high-class plays produced by '

MB WALTER BENTiEY and his capable company, The general verdict is that a more finished .aotor, or a more effioiont all-round company have not, for.many a jear past, sought the approbation of a Wpllington audience. On Monday and Tuesday nights Lytton's fine comedy of " Money" was produced; Wednesday saw the representation of the "Merobant of Venice," with Mr Bentley as Shylocltj Lytton's romantio and poetical drama of the " Lady of Lyons" was played on Thursday night, to the largest house of the season; whilo "RobEov" oooupied the boards on Friday and Saturday, Mr Bentley playing theh'tfcrtfe. All the plays produced up to the present have been most beautifully and completely staged and dresesd. Noxt week will see the season at an end, and I can confidently recommend all those in your district who may be thinking'of "coming down," "to stand not upon the ceremony coming,' 1 (to slightly alter Shakespeare)' " but to come at once.' 1 Kosjios.