JOTTINGS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4256, 29 October 1892, Page 2

JOTTINGS.

[ByOor Wellington Correspondent, Wellington, Wednesday, Of course the Upper House appointments are on everyone's tongue, and it is really wearying to notice how the Hon. John Ri?g, M.L.0., is perpetually quoted. It is the IJon, John Kigg this, and the Hon. John Bigg that, the Hon. John JRigg here, and the Hon, John Bigg there id museum, This usual Radical love of high sounding titles puts one in tniud of the easily converted republican Gondoliers whoaltered their tune so promptly when occasion warranted it..

A sharp tussle is expeotod for the Mayoralty and it will be a closefinish at the last bo everyone says. " Our George"isgetting "nasty" now hefinds he is not going to have a walk over, The result of this election maybe considered to be a pretty accurate index of popular feeling, by which the chances of the candidates at the next general election may be gauged, if Mr Bell deoides to stand.

The French mainf-war" Duohaffault" and the Opera Company have arrived oportunely on the scene to dispel the gloom that has been existing during the past fortnight. A gloom that has been caused by the atrocious weather, prevalence of influenza and colds, the sudden cessation of the sessional gaieties and the departure oE the Governor anu his family, Things have been fairly miserable and the" hot 1 ' summer that was predicted seems months of yet judging by the bitterly cold "southerly bustera" of tbe last few days,

The opening of, the boating season on Saturday was a pretty eight, but was somewhat marred by the absence of the Naval Brigade outlets. The day was bright and sunny, but the wind was piercingly cold on the breastworks and wharves, and the ladies were devoutly thankful to partake of the hospitality of the boating cluha in the shape of afternoon tea,, and shelter themselves from the freezing blast.-

The Slock Oonfarenceis nowsitting at the Parliament Buildings, and we may expect the. papers to be deluged with ghastly particulars of tuberculosis, foot and mouth disease, lung worm, &c.| and all the otbei* nasty ills to whioh sheep and cattle are heir to, That favored individual Mr Lawry, M.H.R,, popularly supposed to bo an authority on stock, because he has kept a milk-walk near Auckland for Borne time past, is of course on the conference at bo muoh a day travelling expenses, He is singularly fortunate in bis stock transactions, last year, lie was appoiuted to inspect tbo rabbit fences in Canlerbury-a very nice trip—and now he has another little bonne bouche, Mr Lawry is tho chairman of the Stock Committee in the House of Eepresentatives, one of those little committees which are adeptsin the art of how not to do anything. Well good luok to bim, Lawry is a genial soul with a deeprooted affection for dirty day pipes. The questions, which are to be discussed by some of the ablest authorities in Australasia, should result in much practical good to the main industry of these colonies. Sir John Hall will make a good chairman for, if lie does not know anything else, lie certainly is an undoubted authority on all questions relating to sheep and cattle,

Cricket lias not begun bore yot, owing to the damp weather; but football (Association) still holds gamely out to the end. Last Saturday saw the final match of the season played under a cloudless sky with a blazing sun, Wellington orioket ought to: improve this year, now that the Cricket Association has decided to engage the services of a professional bowler. I should like to see a trial of skill between the members of the Opera Company and one of the local Clubs. The Opera Company numbers amongst its ranks some firstr class Australian orioketers, notably Mr Sydney Deane—the popular baritone, This gentleman was selected to go Homo with the last Australian team, but for somo reason was unable to get away, Mr Deano i"b said to be one of the finpst wicket-keepers in Australia, second only to the great Blackham,

New building are springing up like mushrooms in Wellington, The new Government Insurance Buildings—the north and south ends—are assuming imposing proportions. These wings are tastefully picked out with white Oatnaru stone, whiob, with the deep red brick, gives a very handsome appearance; The main or centre building will not be commenced just yet, but probably on completion of the wings, a start may be made. The buildings in Harbour Street, fronting Victoria Street are in an advanced state. These splendid brick buildings are for Messrs Maokay, Logan, Steeu and Co., and Messrs McArthur, and are bein» ereoted by the Colouial Mutual Life Association of Australasia. Then there is the new Fine Art Gallery wliioh is now nearly finished, and which will form a valuable addition'to tie places of publio resort in Wellington, if only kept open all the year tound. Three I handsome brick shops are in course of erection in Willis-street on the site formerly occupied by Dr Gillon's house, and will add considerably to the architecture of Willis Street, which in this particular place, is by no means imposing, Pity the Corporation doos not compel owners to remove some of the frightful hovels that now disgrace our street arobiteoture, On some parts of Lambton Quay, tho buildings uro so rotten that it is only by leaning up against one another they remain in a horizontal position at. all, This is notably the esse at the Thorndon end of the town,

Tlie Premier is considerably better and is able to receive visitors, He leaves to-morrow (Thursday) for Wanganui. When Mr MoKenzie leavesfor tbe South,Mr Seddoa will be in charge in Wellington and things will be extra sultry in the big buildings for a week or two. Everyone is wondering here why tbe Minister for Mines should choose to go to an obscure little Maori fishing village like Otbki to to unload himself of his pent up grievances. But I suppose Otaki is as good as any other place to make a speech in when you know you are likely to be freely reported.

The Lands and Survey Depart-, jment is very busy getting tbe new 'Land Act into'shape by the Ist of November, the dato on which it comes into force. The Shopratld Shop Assistants Act is perturbing the minds of the tradesmen very much, Everyone wants to close on a different day, and from the way events are shaping at present there is likely to be a half-holiday on every day in the

week, for the various branches of trade, Talking of trade reminds me that things are deadly quiet in Wellington at present. Hooey is tighter and business is slower than it has been for some time past. One prominent merchant here told me that he had never known so many renewals applied for, for years past as during the last two months, What with the prorogationof Parliament, the absence of the Governor from Wollington, and bad weather all overthecountry, matters are not likely to mend till the wool season and the summer are well advanced.

Of course the topic of topics just now is "The Gondoliers," as performed by Williamson's fioyal Comic Opera Company, and it is wonderful to note, in spite of the growlinga about baa times, how the people flook to the Opera House. Truly it is a delightful thing this latest con* ception of those two Btrikingly original minds, Gilbert and Sullivan. Full of light life and colour, teeming with quips and cranks, quaint oonceits, quainter melodies, mirthful ditties and graceful dances, sttrely it has come upon US like a glimpse of fairy land. Splendidly acted and sung, beautifully mounted and dressed, the Gondoliers is a feast that ear and eye will not easily take a surfeit of,