JOTTINGS FROM WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4335, 3 February 1893, Page 3

JOTTINGS FROM WELLINGTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Thursday, February 2. Despite all assertions and emphatic denials to tho contrary, the rumours about tho Premier's bad and increasing bad health grow stronger and stronger ovory day. That there is a great deal of truth in these rumours unfortunately thoro is very little doubt, Two doctors aro now constantly in attendance on Mrßallunce, and although at times he is able to perform a little official business, yet the. Premier is undoubtedly in a very delicate state, of health. Universal sympathy is felt for Mr Ballance by men of all shades of political colour, and his speedy restoration to complete health would be welcomed by all; but it is idle lor ministers to make such strenuous efforts to delude people into the idea that the Premier is rapidly improving when such is far from being the case.

It is quito certain that unless his present state of health is very much altered for the better, the Premier will be totally unfit to boar the strain of leading in Parliament noxt session, la the ovent of this much to bo regretted contingency, who is to till the place? The Hon. Mr Seddon, will, ofconrso assuino charge as before; hut will his party submit to bis somewhat autocratic and over-boating rule? There were murraiiM loud and long during the short time Mr Seddon was in chargo last session, and his prolonged leadership will, therefore, not bo at all palatable. Plainly speaking, there will be ructions if be does lead ; this would never do on the ove of the Gonernl Election. Then the Minister for Education is in a similar position - he has not yet acquired that urbanity of manner necessary for popularity, nor is ho conciliatory enough to make a Leader, lie is far too rash, impetuous, and sarcastically supercilious, Sir Pat. Buckley, asLeaderi'n the Upper-House would not getovor tlio difficulty so far as the Lower llouso was concerned. Plainly then tho Gorernmont is in a dilemma, and speculation is rifohere as to what the outcomo will bo. Of course all speculation may be upset by the appearanco of the Premior himself on tho scene, but present indications do not hold out any hope of his complete recovery in time to enable him to tako his seat next session,

The M'dland Railway Com|iany's representative, Mr Wilson, lias made his last appeal to the Government in reference to the claim which the company have been prosecuting so long, and leaves for England to- day by the" Arawa," to lay the position of affaire heforo his Board in London, There is no doubt that the Government lias tak'-n every advantage of the loosely-worded contract raado betwoen the Colony and tho Company and that a great many of the provisions have been strained, and it would have been better for everyone concerned if a more conciliatory spirit had existed. It is freely rumoured now that ono of tho biggest lawsuits on record against the Colony will be the ultimata result of Mr Wilson's trip Home to consult his Directorate. May Heaven forfend!

There is going to be surplus and a big »ono too so everyone says. Tho exact amount varies from £250,000 to £400,000 according to popular report. General suspicion also exists that if such a surplus is likely to becomo an accomplished fact, and thero is every indication to lead one to suppose that such is more than probable—that the Government are not stirring themselves in the direction of malting any proposals for a reduction of taxation. It has generally been an accepted axiom that increase in revenue was followed by a decrease in taxation.

Of course the man of the hour par\ excellence just now isMaxO'Kell, and truly the pleasure derived from reading his books is exceeded by hearing the man speak, This man unlike the famous Stanley has no thrilling ad-, ventures to relate, no tales of moving accident by field and flood—although M, BloubYs career has been anything but uneventful, as witness bis particis pation in the Franco-German war and afterwards his connection with the army of Versailles when cngagod in suppressing the Commune. Yot, still be can hold his audience spell-bound from beginning to end, can movo them from laughter to tears, can play upon their feelings at will like tlio skilful manipulator of human passions that be is. Up to the present of the three lectures given " John Bull and his Island" is far and away tbo best to my mind, although " Brother Jona» than " and " H.E.H.-Woman" are marvellous examples of blonded wit, humour, pathos, passion, and satire. Such satire too it—

" Like o razor keen, Wounds with a touch tbat is hardly felt or seen."

How refreshing it is to hear a cultured, witty, and withal kindly Frenchman laying bare with deft and skilful touch our national failings, showing us in the strong glare of keou and philosophical observation our follies and our foibles. Yet how pleasantly 'lis done, too, ono would not bo angry at such criticism if one could. It k a rare intellectual treat aud Max o'EoH's advent should bo marked with a white stone in the annals of quiet uneventful colonial lives, Needless to say crowded houses are the rule nightly—'twould bo base ingratitude indeed to the much-travelled Mr Smythe if we were to repay his enterprise in bringing to ut» such an inimitable raconteur by anything else but our full and frequent attendance,

It is understood that negotiations will bo opened with tho local banks and other financial institutions to find a portion, at any rate, of the money required for carrying out the drainage scheme. Nothing definite has been donoyot in this direction, but it is more than likely that my information will prove correct, Tho sooner a start is made the better, for really tho odours to bo met with at every corner and on the reclamation—tho Thorndon Esplanade especially—reminds one Btrongly very strongly, of tho 70 separate and distinct smells of Cologne. Tbat ancient city, famed for its scent, cr scents, aud cathedral, would really play a very second fiddle to the Empire City of New Zealand. Fortunately the fell fiend typhoid has not been so much en evidence this season. Although, no doubt, tho Autumn as usual will he his favourite campaigning time,

1 havo hoard various and varying reports in regard to aspirants foe the

Maaterton seat at the next general election, Chief amongst them is the rumour that if in tho event of Mr MeC'ardlo deciding not to stand for tho constituency in tho Opposition interests that the Rov, J. 0. Andrew of lea will again gird up bis loins for tho fray andl woo tho suffrages of tho electors once more. Rumour also states that Mr Hogg intends to desert his old love and pay hia attentions elsewhere. The Opposition is lteouly desirous of securing the Mnsterton soat which from all accounts, and given tho right hot, they appear to have a very fair chance lof doing this time.