MINGS from WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4421, 17 May 1893, Page 2

MINGS from WELLINGTON.

[By Our Own Correspondent.] _ Wellington, May 15tb. I The air is full of rumours about wbat the Government are going to do during the coming session, chief amongst which is the report that Female Franchise is to be seriously tackled and if possible passed into law. Now, it is an absolute fact that if the Government so desired it, Female Franchise could easily become the law of the land in time for the next general election, but that they are far from desiring it, is an open secret. Apparently their Wellington supporters have been instructed to trumpet forth the fact that the Government are really in earnest this time, but their statements should be received strictly cum grano sali), " Seeing is believing," and until we see tho Electoral Bill passed by tho " Lords" in its entirety there will remain many scoffersandunbelievers. It isknown thatnot one of thetweltonew creations to tho Upper House are in favour of Woman's Suffrage, and if they had been, it is equally certain they would never have been appointed. Without their assistance the Bill can never get through the Legislative Council, even if it survives the ordeal of committee attacks, in the Liwer House. When the Hon. Mr Bigg was addressing the tailorosseaat their "sooial" tho other night be had an excellent opportunity for expressing his sympathy with the measure, had he for one been really in earnest in his oft reiterated assertion, that he was anxious to raise the social and political condition of the women workers of the Colony. The women of this Colony will assuredly find out beforo long, if their eyes are not blinded by too glowing promises t>f false emancipation, that they will have to wait till the" oraok of doom" before they are allowed to have a say in the Government of New Zealand, if they trust to their Liberal " lords and masters" to obtain it for them,

There is, I am told, aomothiiifj-pro* phetio in the Tim' absurdly incorrect announcement that Mr Russet's motion for the removal of the Hon. Mr Beeves from the Managing Direotorobip of the paper, had been carried. Ministers generally are not at all anxious that Mr Reevesshouldcontinne in his present dual capacity of Minister and Manager, holding that it is impossible for him to do justice to either position with divided attention to each. The Minister for Education is on the other hand of course, anxious to retain his managership, as in the event of any unforeseen contingency arising at tho general election, it would be something to fall back upon,

Honours still continue to be showered thick upon the " Labour Lords," They have been created Justices of tho Peace. For what earthly reason these new appointments have been made everyone is dying to know. Goodness knows, as it it, one can bardly walk the streets of the four chief towns of the Colony without bumping up against a J.P., and now the four" hououmbles" aro entitled to tack the mystic letters to their names. It can't be, therefore, that there are not enough justices. Why did the Government not bestow these late favors upon other ardont supporters, who havo not yet had anything given them as a reward for their political devotion ?

lam told that the Weraiti Eoad case will once more form the subject lof an appeal to Parliament this session. This case haß now apparently assumed the dimensions of a party question, It is curious to note how a comparatively unimportant local question, fostered in political animus, can evontually be the means of setting rivnl factions by the ears in a manner which demonstrates conclusively what parish-pump politics we indulge in after all, in this Colony. Last year tho To Weraiti road petition took the Waato Lands Committee nearly a week to consider, and evidence of a most uncommon nature was taken at considerable expense to the country. Now we are promised the whole business tk novo again.

The Rev, J. 0, Andrew, of lea Station, is either a wag of the first wator or else he is so peculiarly constituted as to be positively unhappy unless he has Pome little lawsuit on hand, This morning at tho R.M, Court the Commissioner of Taxes sued Mr Andrew, as agent for one Curling, for absentee tux on property situated somewhere in Hawkes' Bay, This being tlio first onse of its kind tried in the Colony considerable interest was evinoed in it and the interest was entertained by the novel and humorous defence set up by the defendant, After much ingonioos legal lore had been let loose on the court by the solicitor for the defence, Mr J. C. Andrew, junr., who by the way seems to be a chip off the old block, judgment was given for the amount claimed, somo £B6 odd, and tbe reverend gentleman was also mulcted in costs. Notice of appeal was given, One vory ingenious plea put forward was that it could not be proved that the absentee had not been in the oolony for the last three years, no absolute statement was raado that be had been here, but the onus of proving that he had not was put on the other side, It was good, distinctly good, but the hard-hearted Magistrate would not see it. If I mistake not, this same case formed the subject of a highly humorouß petition to the House last session, but was cavalierly dealt with by the report of" no recommendation,"

Wellington iB advancing rapidly in the civilization of tho older world. We now sport several boot blacks, and the latest innovation iB a Punch and Judy Show, we are already familiarised with tho appearance of the barrel organ and tho monkey, and we only require that product of a high state of civilization to make our streotlifecomplete, the brassy-braying German Band. This and a few streetpavement artiste, a blind, crippled, or maimed (apparently so) beggar or two, Btreet-orossing sweepers (an absolute necessity in muddy Woliington), and perhaps a few costers and donkeys instead of tho inevitable Chinaman, and the oup of our happiness should be about full, Thanks to the Boys' institute, the town is now comparatively free from the Btreet-arab genus and it is possible to perambulate tho streets at night-time without being subjected to annoyance by these waifs of humanity. When the streets are formed on the reclaimed land, the artificial lakes that now exist properly bridged over, and a lamp post or two erected at decent intervals, it will perhaps be safe to venture out at night without being hogged or half drowned, and the chances of breaking ones neok by falling into some yawning chasm will be considerably lessened. "Hopo springs eternal," who knows in the not distant future we nay even be rid

of the delightful odours that now permeate the balmy atmosphere at every sewer grating. One day we may possibly rejoioe in a Town Hall with a decent room in wbiok concerts and otlicr public entertainments can take place, we may have, perhap9, a first olnss hotel or two, where some littie rest may be snatched at night, or ire may bare public baths where the long suffering populace will ba able to rid themselves of the " dust of ages," The harbour even, may not in time hi polluted with unutterable filth, and those awful scavengers of the darkness may cease their dread vomitings in the dead watobes of, tho night. Possibly we may have afftther playground or two, to which admission will be free to all. In fact a big list of delightful possibilities opens up to us in the long vista of the future, but until these and the other matters are o« fait accompli, the Empire City of the colony cannot lay claim to being a delightful place to live in, There may be, and is no doubt, nioney to be mado in it, but life is not all filthy lucre.

The caprices of Wellington wither are really beyond the powers of WiT*.* tion. It has been raining in ajßfpeless sort of way, with brief respites of a day's sunshine every now and then, for over a month. The Wellington Amateur Athlotio Club has been singularly unfortunate. On Saturday last, after poatpouing their Sports for several Saturdays on account of the ceaseless drizzle, the day broke beautifully fine with a nice light breeze, which dried np the ground splendidly. As luck would have it, despairing of any moredeoent weather thisyear, the Club had met on the previous Thursday and decided to abandon all attempts to hold tho meeting, and then lo and behold I Saturday is Que and the opportunity has been missed. Tho Olub loses between £BO and £4O the meeting, which iiinot oomo off,

Football commenced in wal earnest on Saturday, and from ttrrarm displayed by some of the players Wellington should render a good acoonnt of itself in the field this season. With the assistance of one or two of your Masterton cracks' and help from thi Manawatu district, Wellington should, ns in the past, prove itself invincible in the manly gamo of football. Unfortunately, however, thore is in this city a tendency to unnecessarily rough play which should be sternly repressed, Tripping and hacking in the "sorums" are not by any moans ae conspicuous by their absence as they should be. ; Then again the decisions of the refereo aud umpire are not recoived in that sportsmanlike spirit of unquestioning obedionco, which should characterise a woll be haved and well disciplined team. If lawless behaviour and insulting remarks and a spirit of brutality creeps into the play, the sooner tho fine old game of football is knooked on the head the better.

It is reported authoritatively that tho Auditor and Controller General, Mr J. E. Fitzgerald, 0.M.G., retires from his position on portion a t tho end of the present year. Mr Fitzgerald's name is freely mentioned as likely to be included iu the list of birthday honours, tho report betas; that he will be advanced to the dignity of Knight-Commander of tho Order of St. Miohael aud St. George, as a reward for his eminentTHJjicajLandc offioial services, Sir is stated, will be oreated a Baronet m possibly Mr fiolleston will receive the order of fI.M.G. In connection with the gossip which is floating about on the subject I have also heard that the Agent-General, Mr Percoval, will be decorated but I should not think it at all likely and of course the other "honours" are but mere surmises on the part of somebody, at present at anyrate. I give them however for what they are worth,

Theßev Mrlngramhaving declined the proffered honour of tho Bishop* rio of Wellington, I hear it is quite likoly that tho choice will ultimately fall on Dean Hovell, of Napier. If this is a fact it should satisfy those people who are olamouring for the new Bishop to be appointed from amongst the Colonial Clergy, In common with many people, however, I think that the best man should be obtained tor the position, setting aside altogether the fact of his being an English or a Colonial cleric, Because a Colonial clergyman may bo senior it docs not at all follow that he would bo suitable, what is wanted is the best and noblest man procurable and if ho is not to be found in the Colonv.. go abroad for him. It ie'BP &m- : gother a question of seniority, nor should tho question of proferment bo allowed to enter into the caso.

Why do our Cabinet Ministers live at a pub? It is extremely undignified. Oicial residences are providod; why not uso them ? Is it with tho idoa of "nobbling" that £2ooper annum house altowanoo, or is it born of frugality ? £2OO will pay one's hotel bill very comfortably, but an official resideneo costs something to keep up, even when light, fuel, furniture,: and messengers are provided. The Premior'a in Tinakori (road, will shortly be in the morket, If hear, unless Mr Beddon is tempted to indulge in the doligbts of entertaining, as Premier of tho Colony, duritig the coming session. The Hon Mr Heeve3 is the only Minister occupying a Ministerial residence in Wellington, just at present. The others have been let, with the ei< caption of the Tinakori road housed occupied by the late Premier. fB

Tho Gajoty Company have gone, and our haartn have gono with them. What a wijek of fun and frolic it h»B been. Messrs Lonnen and CourtMidge were absolutely killing in "Carmen up to data," and " Join of Arc," especially the. latter. These two comedians are the most absurdly wninißicalftttiatswhohaveeyor trod the Wellington boards. Wehaveallbad the Gaiety fever very badly, and it will he some time before wo recover, Tho goodfbje on the wharf when the "Rotomabana" left with the Company on board was perhaps as funny eu any of the performances. All the " Johnnies" turned up in full force to nee the girls off, and IhsHifa'" many affecting partings, •(inrt3f« sensea of the word than one). When the giddy chorus proposed " throe [cheers for the Wellington boye," as jthe steamer left the wharf, all Weijlington masherdom could do was to muster a feeble howl in response. Fillia' Grand Circus and Menagerie arrives to-morrow morning,'' and another big draw may be anticipated. Nothing attracts like a circus, except, perhaps, a display ofnoat,~well, Ist"., us say—ancles, as in the Gaiety; Company, ,

The sickening details of tho post mortem examination on the late Premier.issuedby the Medical Association of Wellington, and published by the local papers, is no doubt intended ats>

refutation of tho report that has been ourrcnt here lately, thai Mr Ballance's oaso was incorrectly diagnosed, and that tho oporation was inconsequence bungled. A simple denial of tho mtuour Would have been quite sufficient as no good end is served by pandering to the morbid curiosity of it certain section of tho community by publishing details, in addition to whicli.': tbc pain caused to the Into Premier's relatives by such publicity,, should have been studiously avoided^'v' ;: f Tho demand for good ni.nsic; ; w.itlr.a : modorato admission iVe,.has';bcen.admirably mot by the .llThnrf'day Pops."; instituted Jy Mr several otherß.:: At ;-t lib ; .lf\at.. ono/tj.tp. varied and populaivVprogrtninio; pre;; sentcd drew together \a.n.;';bye.r|owing : audienco attbo;Thentrn;Royal,with.' tho result. iiliatJripxt'Thuifdiiy the: Opera 1 Hduipos:Vo bothc pitiespf gathcring.&and,■,will. 'constitute' more: adequato' aeatihg' rponi to accomm'*-' dato tlip; gonerpus pviblic who bo readilyirespphd'to the invitation frj. for tho: total mi atiilling'. Wellington poople'Sro,: indeed;, indebted, to -Mr- : Parker --fprmpslhhai jltey onjpy in Seldomit inuat#y '.such,undertaking, is not inspired' By his unselfish.and never--, tiringydeTotion: to the art.

bn.'Mbnday ei'ening iiext Mr \V, Darlings Secretary --of the Provincial Farmers'' Go:op?.rativo Association, will nt theiiivitatiiiri of Mr:.Murray:JackßOn,,audaddress, a meeting of' farmers tlieris on iji« su.'j* jeet:bf'thp butter Practic • ally this Association will rairje't its. operation)! tothofflanqfacttireof hut: Or on a large scale, under, the faotc.ry and creamery'systenv.;. and asihis is (pit 'will,.ifii't .gains- a good hold, stand a chancorpf'supplanting sonic' of the existing cVie.Gao factories, as butter is oaid to. bp. tho niprq profitable com* modity when it can be- placed in the world's jri a rkets (Sou tli Atnorica, India,. .Kqijg, Mnunitiu.s,. Englanal^eToii)'in- lurgu quaiiti'iitia ol ft standard'.; and .guaranteed', finality, ■ Mr Daring's Association ban met' with good etijipp.rt on the- West Coast, and. .. a strong directorate has. been chosen. by the .farmers who have taken up .'■ tho scheu'iej .'but iil the Wairarapa there■hafljip far, hot been, much re- .■■ »ponßO.',-.: r ' : H.o.wpver, the jitomoters-in-tend that district n. obaiicd of joining:in what regarded as aproi and: there Vill; consequently be meetings held at least ■■ »t Ekotahuna: on.- {Saturday, and at Fcaih'erstp'u'uiiicpil'ay, Mr Darling: will.npt.perspu'aliy'b'eiireserit at the former;.-but'she w'i.li attend tho latter £:. as;l' havo airpidy roent ioiied.