JOTTINGS FROM WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4345, 15 February 1893, Page 3

JOTTINGS FROM WELLINGTON.

(By Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, Monday, Of course the earthquake yesterday morning, and tho Amateur Athletic Meeting on Saturday, tiro tho topics of tho hour just at present, Of tho former, I am assured by old residents, that it waA&& sharpest shock known for many years. Considerable anxiety was felt for tho safety of the many brick buildings that aro now to bo seen in Wellington, once known as the matchbox city. Many of these buildings aro of great bright, and in very few cases aro tho walls very thick or tho building of tho strongest, The now Public library received rather a nasty shaking, but stood tho strain very well. There are, however, many cracks apparent both inside and out,' Standing as it does, on reclaimed ground, thefoundations havo, eversincc its commencement, heon a constant source of troublo to the architect and contractor, as they would keep settling down in the most aggravating mannor. Even now, wjnjil-bo professional critics Bay llic*TOliling is out of plumb. Thcso facts being pretty well known, the building was the subject of much curious scrutiny yesterday. When the post office was burnt down, Borne years ago, tho main walls were left standing, and in many instances were very badly cracked by tho intense heat, consequently some fears were felt on its account, These doubts, however, proved groundless, for tho buil'lmg stood tho shaking splendidly, thus proving that the contractors, in re-building, did (heir work thoroughly-no easy task when heavy brick walls had to be strongly as it were. Veiy iit&Hflilo is reported about the oilier largo brick buildings, such as tho Government Printing Office, Loan and Mercantile, Kempthorne Prosser nnd Co., Scoullar and Chishclm, National Mutual, Sargood, Son and EwcDi itoss and Glendinning, etc, But, still, although we have escaped any serious damage this time, it ought to mako people careful when building, as it is apparent the good old earthquake days aro not finishod yet.

The sportß were of course a grand success, tho day being vory bright ai'd sunny although tho wind got up again somewhat late in (ho afternoon, Wellington was particularly unfortunate in just losing tho championship banners by one point, forifMrD'Arcy had been able lo stay for the quarter of a mile hurdles tho chances were almost a certainty for his running into a placo and thus securing tho coveted honour for his Province. D'Arcy's running was much admired in the 250 yds championship, but there is no that doubt he was not quite up to form owing perhaps to his unfortunato loss in Mas'.erton by tho burning of his home, and I am also told that he was suffering from a weak knee.

Tho Mayor is about to call a public meeting to request help from the people of Wellington for the suffoiers by the great Qneonsland floods. The co-operation of all tho country and suburban mayors will bo asked for, I hear, in order that any action taken may be as general as possible. Ccr« tainly wo in this colony have much to bo thankful for, at anyrate, however capricious our climato may bo at least wo are never flooded oat in one place and burnt up in tho other like the unfortunate Queonslanders. To-day a heavy southerly galo with rain is in full forco and it is to be hoped tho rain will not seriously interfere with tho burning operations which, judging by the smoko in tho distance, his been vigorously proceeding in the vicinity of Wellington during tho last few days.

It is now announced that Mr J, Lethbridgo will probably bo tho Opposition candidato for the Kangitikei seat at the next general election, Mr Stevens standing in tho Government interest. Mr Bruce has definitely decided not to outer politics again, a fact very much to bo regretted. Ho is not, however, by any means popular in his district, although he was successful at the last election. Few people understand Mr Bruce and his insouciance is often taken for indifference. Mr Lethbridgo is, however, a thoroughly popular man and well in touch with people in tho constituency. He is well-known as Mayor oi'Feilding and Chairman of the Manawatu Road Board, and has always taken a ken interest in local affairs,

BS&fmbors for tbo first time on the BBfrstof February commenced to draw the increased honorarium which they bo nobly voted for themselves last session, mainly by the aid of the great Liberal contingent in general, but by tbo special efforts of tbo patriotic Mr Hogg iu particular. Henceforth the cheques for £2O per month will como out regularly, and it is haidly to bo expected that the Liberals will loavo the money they have lilched from the pockets of tbo people for long in the coffers of the Treasury.

Sir G. M. O'Boike was in town a few days ago on his way back to Auckland after attending the marriage of his son, Mr E. D. O'Korkc, at Chrititchurcli, with the wealthy Miss Rhodes. Sir Maurice is looking extremely well, and I am told he is seeking a constituency in the Auckland District and will bo a candidate for parliamentary lijmoui'S at the next general electioir'ttould Sir Maurico O'Korke succeed in being returned he will bo at once put up for the speakership of the new Parliament, and will, without doubt, make it very merry, indeed, for the present amiable though weak holdor of tho office.

A great mauy of tho Opposition patty are very much dissatisfied with Mr Rolleaton's inaction and his general lock of fighting qualities. As a Leader ho is anything but tho right man in the right place, and much prefers to peacefully fritter away liis timo in quiet agricultural pursuits to assuming thcct'fc of an active and energetic tactician, He is out of touch with his party, and lacks in overy essential the qualities necessary to keep his party together or to add to their ranks, Many would prefer to see Captain *, Russell in the position, as his popujfab,, larity and his power is gaining ground wjSßijtevery day, Possibly Mr liolleston is in order to seize thoop- ■ portanity to come forth liko a second Cincinnati from bis farm to bo tho saviour of his country, It is, however, high timo that a start in this direction veremado, or he ma; he too late to effect the salvation, Complaints against tho Department ruled over by tho Minister for Lands are loud and frequent, and crop up from every nook and corner of tho Colony. Pioneer settlers are grumbling very bitterly that their letters remain unanswered through many weary necks, and that their just domands are unheeded and slighted by his High Mistiness the Minister for Lands,

who is bo busy clootionooring thai be has no timii to attend to bis official duties. Not only in tho Wairarapa, but in nil parts of the Colony are the surveys both in tho field and tho office very much bohind-hand, to tho great inconvcnioKCo and hardship of settlers. A long and weary timo must olapso ere the Spooial Settlement sottlers enst of Pukotoi will find their sections pegged off. In tho fact of all these nrreas of work we see that officers of the Department of long standing arc being dispensed with. No less than six in tlio Wellington office alone have lately received tlioir confc for the end of the month, [t certainly does hard that these old and faithful servants should havo to go with a fow miserable hundreds us compensation for lifolongservice, when there is so much work to bo done. The statement published by the "Evening Press" that tho Sur-veyor-General was about to retire and which was so authoritatively denied by tho "N.Z. Times" was the outcome of a well substantiated report which has been floating about town lately. Tho mnmo as I heard it was to tlio effect that Mr McKerrow, the Chief Commissioner of Railways, was to bo again appointed Survoyor-General, and not Mr Baker tho Chief Surveyor of tho District. Mr Percy Smith retiring on pension. Tho vacancy caused by Mr McKorrow's retirement from the control of the Railways, to bo filled up by tho appointment of a pliable head by one of tho Department. It was further rumoured that Mr McKerrow was willing to accept the appointment provided Mr Huntly Eliutt was again reinstated as Under Secretary for Lands. Of course there may he nothing in the report,but I givo it to you for what it is worth.