WELLINGTON NOTES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4110, 10 May 1892, Page 2

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(fit/ Our Own (krapwiM).

Wellington, Monday.

The Opposition victory at Bruce i» a heavy blow to the Government, and it is thought here that their prestige has seriously suffered in consequence, The Ministerial stamping of the Dis-

trict was of no avail; the sturdy eleotors of Bruce would "have none of them. The Government organ in Wellington hod commenced cautiously to crow over an anticipated triumph, in consequence of an alleged favorable reception accorded to the Minister lor Public Works, and it was really funny to note the change of tone adopted ft hen the result of the election came to hand. The " what-we-only-antioipated"_ style was really too thin, for the return of Mr Allen is a bitter disappointment to the Government, What a onishing majority, too, emphasising pretty plainly that the Bruce electors resented the Ministerial meddling. They manage those things better down there than we here in Wellington. The extremely doubtful style of running bye-elections adopted by the Government j these attempts to influence the choice of the people, have at last met with a just reward in the shape of a most emphatio and crushing rebuff. Would that the people of Wellington had sturdily resented the same tactics here I Mr Allen, the new member for Bruce, will he a tower of strength 'to his party, for he is a man oi sound common-sense, moderate in views, and earnest in his endeavours to carry out what he is assured is for his country's good. When in the House before Mr Allen proved himself a very useful member,. and, although possessedof no great oratorical powers he always had the faculty of making, himself listened to, and commanded the highest, respect from both sides. On Committees of the House Mr Allen did " Yeoman service," and it is in such unostenta* tious capacities that a man proves his worth, The work of select committees is generally conducted t'n camera and ot course the most important questions are dealt with and the recommendations of such committees are then considered by the House. Your blatant politician, yearning for popular applause, as a rule shrinks from parliamentary duties where his acts are not blazoned forth to his constituents in carefully revised speeches in Hansard, Mr Allen is none of these; he is a door, not a talker. Alas that there are so few of his stamp! Mr Allen is distinctly an acquisition to the personnel of the House, and, setting party consider- , ations aside, the colony is to be cou- , gratulated on his return once more to Parliament,

Dr Newman has spoken to his faithful at the Hutt and the electors of that snug little borough to a man endorsed their confidence in the genial doctor, paid to him at the last poll. The raemher for the Hutt is a diplomat of the first water; he treads on no one's corns; he manages to convey pleasantly and courteously his disapproval of the Government policy; never rabid, never violent, he commands the esteem of political friend and foe alike. Dr Newman's speech at the Hutt has been described as "colourless" and so perhaps it was if vehement denunciation constitutes "colour." Dr Hewnian has set an example lo politicians which it would be well for all to follow. The hint conveyed in the dootor's speech of the formation of a Nationalist programme as opposed to" the tinsel Liberalism which is now in vogue bears out what I remarked some time ago thai such a propogandu was being put into Bhape. It is ridiculous to talk about' Con' servatism in this colony-it is an unknown quantity. There are different degrees of Liberalism certainly and unfortunately we have happened upon the worst form at present, Dr Newman says that the only true form of Literalism is contained in the Nationalist doctrines wherein the egoism of the individual will be lost in the mutual co-operation for the good of the community. This doctrine certainly will not suit the present party in power for the aggrandisement of the individual appears to be their main object, flow would the garrulous Seddon,the arrogant Reeves, the ambitious fiallance, and the blustering M'Eenzie like to sink their individuality? Not much I fanoyl —self abnegation is no part of their policy, All the same. Dr. Newman, I am afraid you are ahead of the age. We capot make up our minds to obliteration just yet, Mr J. Dutbie, M.EB., is to address bis constituents at the Opera House next Wednesday, and we are.all on the tiptoe of expectation to know how the meeting will proceed, I have no doubt that mutters will be somewhat sultry, and it will be extremely interesting to see what kind of a reception Mr Duthie will' receive An unusual amount of Interest attaches to the meeting in consequence of its being the first pubjio opportunity of elicitiug an expression of opinion from the Wellington plectors as tp the policy of the Government sjnoe the recent election of-Mr W, McLean, I understand that.it is also the intention of Mr George Fisher to render an account of his stewardship very shortly. Mr Fisher will, of course, have to explain fully why his Bllegi«noe has been withdrawn from the Government and. much will depend upon the issue of the explanation, If his defection is approved by the elec tors the chances of the Government securing 'another' seat' at the next election are very remote, constituencies are, proverbially fiokle, andV'Our George" has a very strong hold upon his'follbwcrs, so it is quite possible that his explanation will be entirely satisfactory to bis numerous adherents, I hear'that great disjjalff faction exists'jn Wellington amongst the leaders of the Libera} party. One very prominent ■•member, who, it is scateoVwas largely j#qmen>J in securing for the Government tlje election of Mr McLean,is in a towering

rage at an alleged Bliiht that has been CUt upon him in connection with the election' oi Treats iorthe local gr-a'nch of the Liberal AssociationY °f jyljio! lp Buiok, M-H.fi., i$ the aposjilg. %. (ptjenian in question appeared very far down jn j the listof cabdidateii in faot' it is rumftured raattg'was not elected, I will not vouch for tile truth of the latter, but.at; ivf rate the Govern* ment are blamed for not supporting more warmly; The rest'ofthlei njembarecdmplain that the Government are not adhering to their expressed tfiat may be, ;'.'•"..' ; '- : ..■•■';* '' ' ""'

The amendments in the Electoral Act, ; for instance;'contemplated by the Government next session, do not give satisfaction. There is no doubt, if current report is it all to be only partiallyjrelied upon, that the proposed amendments will not give adequate representation to the minorities nor

.wilTthe majorities have the- ruling power, Tbia is' also the' objection to the Aotasjt stands'at.preißnt, and it is evident that unless some other syntem is devised or adopted this Colony will never be adequately represented, A modification of Hare's System might meet the case, but to adopt it in its entirety would not, I think be saiisfactory. The younger and rising politicians would never stand a ohance on account of their political obscurity outside of their otvn particular district, The Women's Franchise Question will prove to be a great bone of contention this session. The supporters of the movement are, I believe, making elaborate preparations to secure the passage of the Bill through the legislature, and are confident of success, The Government as a whole are not in favor of the. measure, although in* dividual members are: they fear no doubt the influence of the working; man's wife upon the ballot box. They, poor souls (the wives) are no great believers in Trades Unions, Liberal Associations and Strikes, and small blame to them attach, for when their lords and masters are" out" and havingagood time generally on "strike pay" they have to turn bread-winners very, often snd by the aid of the homely though useful wash tub" en» deavour to inorease the family exchequer, •. ,

A perfect epidemio of suicides seems to have set in here lately. First we had the sad oase of the young man Ryan, who was found: dead hanging to a branch of a tree barely four feet from the ground, and now there.is the disappearance of the German, Balde« wein, at Petone, whose, clothes were found on the beach.' There is something inexpressibly touching about tbia last case, > A man dejected and broken down, unable to obtain work, unable even to ask for it owing to his ignorance of the English tongue, "a stranger in a strange land," in an hour of despondency ends his troubles for ever in the cold waters of Port Nicholson I And then there was the gentleman who calmly walked into the harbour right in front of the Post Office and deliberately laid himself down when the water was deep enough to cover him and nonchalantly remained there waiting to drown, which he most assuredly would have done if his somewhat unusual proceedings had not been witnessed by the laborers on the new reclamation,

The Fraser's Lane-Sydneynstreet affair is assuming a mysterious aspect. There appears to be no doubt now that the unfortunate man Dickson did not meet his death accidentally, but whether the injuries from which he died were inflicted deliberately or were the result of a drunken brawl, it is impossible to say until the police have completed their investigations. One faot, howflver, is apparent, whioh evinces the mostshocking inhumanity on the part of the persons concerned. It is quite certain that Dickson, after the injuries were inflicted, could not have crawled over a fence nearly six feot high, and there.is no doubt that he must have been lifted up and shot over like a load of rubbish and there left to die.

The tii?'of-war mania is now raging here with great fury. A crowded audience in spite of the downpour of rain attended 4 the Skating Rink on Saturday nightto witness the opening contest. The Colonials and Englishmen won the first heats, but the representatives of the Flowery Land are warm favourites for the final. Is tho Caucasian played out ?—Surely not 1

The decision of the Hospital Trustees to borrow on the security of their endowments will be hailed with satisfaction by everyone as a simple, easy, and businesslike solution of the difficulty. It waß only, however, after two legal opinions had benn obtained that these obstinate Trustees were convinced that it was not possible to levy a special rate to meet the proposed expenditure. As the typhoid rush is now over, the Trustees will no doubt go leisurely on till next typhoid season, when perhaps the additions will bo ready for business, It may even happen before next Bummer that something will be done towards draining the city: Who knowa I -

The playful telephone maiden is now an accomplished fact in town and has resulted in a large increase of business during the last week. The telephone will now become a more popular institution than eyer. It is in triitk a very knowing device on the partol the Department to extend the system, Who could.withstand the seductions of a sweet voice murmur* ing gently in one's ear, " Bing up I" I am told that there is a little bashful timidity at first, but that is natural, and will soon wear off, Tha innovation of the Telephone Exchange ladies should have a distinctly human. JBing effect upon the irritable subscriber, and will considerably check the pernicious habit of indulging in strong language as is now so frequently the case when vainly endeavouring to attract the Exohango's attention.

A most terrific downpour of rain set in on Saturday afternoon and evening, and for some hours was almost tropical in its intensity, In fact such heavy rain has not been witnessed in Wellington for years, Asa naturil consequence the streets were flooded, and -the lower end of Lambton Quay, opposite the Government Buildings, was, as usual, under water, and the unfortunate shopkeepers we jnundated by the • turgid stream, Some heavy "landslips have occurred on the suburban road, and in Tinakori road opposite the Botanical gardens the oulvort was unable to carry off the great moss of seething storm water, and burst open the road, making a great cavity about [fifteen feet witje, and. completely I undermining a cottage in that vicinity, One;very distressing calamity occurred at jifajiara, afeoutejght rniiss.frpm town,';whpfeby. .a wornW: najied Dayjs lost hef life, \i appears that klip poor woman was returning from town in a spring cart, and attempted to ford fa-; creek'■■ which had become daugerously swollen by the rain. The MruuS nr °TOd too strong, and.the trap and horse were swept away, a ut the |binan washed out and drowned.

''' • ''' MrSnazelle at the-Opeija* wsusb continues to arnose large suffices by his excellent entertainment of "'Miisic Song and Story,". Asa moiiinr Mr Sn'azelle's equal has nob appeared in this city, and the'only feeling of dissatisfaction that etrikee one'upon leaving the theatre is the fact that qpg (ss> nof ■- |n(d enough, .of J) Snazeljehimself,'. MjWiliegSySney' Bhrvet't, tlie accomplished pianiste, made her debut at tho Dresden Piano Company's, rooms on Thursday- evening,' bnt the price of admission, the"lone-banded" nature of the concert, and other attractions considerably thinned the' audience.

As a pianist, Missßurvett is a mo3t brilliant performer, but to my mind her execution, though marvellous, is sadly wanting in "soul,", \ Kosnog,