JOTTINGS from WELLINGTON

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4688, 6 April 1894, Page 3

JOTTINGS from WELLINGTON

(By Our Own Correspondent.) Ik Mulligan Family, A shocking case.—The Berth Islmid Trunk Railway, Wellington scores a viin.— The Agricultural and Pastoral Association's New President,—Col., Fox and the Government,—Colonial Governments and Commandants.

The case oi the Mulligans is a sad example of the degradation to which people can sink from the effects of' drink. Your readers have no doubt seen the r«e reported in the Weilington p.pers so I will not enter into details again hut will merely content myself by informing you that some years ago Mr and Mrs Mulligan were in business, on Lambton Quay, as watchmakers and jewellers. They had a remarkably good business and by care and economy they were able to retire while in the prime of life on a comfortable competency most of which was derived from the investment of their savings in house and landed property in Wellington. They made several trips to England and everybody looked upon them as extremely lucky people. Unforknatoly for them, enforced idleness after a hard working life resnltedin the cultivation of drinking habits,and the end is that these two mis ruble people will have to finish their days in a lunatic asylum as hopeless and incurable dipsomaniacs. Many people in your district will remember Mrs Mulligan some years ago, a Gne figure of a woman, watchmaker'" glass ineye,busilyengaged inrepairing and cleaning watches-in fact, it was said that she was a far better watchmaker than her husband. It is sad in the extreme to think that after all their toiling and saving they should eventually end their lives in this deplorable manner.

The reply given by the Premier to the Northern Railway League deputation must have been a great blow to that body when he told them in plain unmistakable language that it was no longer any use wasting money on surveys for the Stratford route, for which the Auckland people hare clamoured so long, as the surveyors had found it was utterly impracticable to take a line that way. Unprejudiced people have told the Auoklandere and the Government all this long ago, but Dotbing would do but that a Parliamentary Committee pust be set up to open the matter again, though a Royal Commissiop years ago had reported that the Centra} was the only praotU cable route, and the one which would be of most benefit to the whole oolony, not only from the vast amount of magnificent country it would open up for settlement but alsp from the fact that the engineering difficulties were not so great as by other routes, and the cost of the line would be infinitely cheaper. Tbp Wellington Central Railway League hap not lived and c|ied in yain,at)d (here is qne heart in ' Wejington that must have rejoiced when the Premier's utterances were published, and that heart is possessed by the popular member for Wellington subnrbß—Dr. Newman—who has ever been a most consistent and sturdy champion.of the Central route in face of tremendous adds,, Dr Newman knows every iu<n of tty-flmu'

try between Hunterville and Te Kiiiti,and setting aside the foot that he has boon keenly alive to the immense advantages wlnoh Wellington must derive from the adoption of the Central Route if the Grand Trunk Line to Auckland is ever completed, as let ns hope it will be eventually in the not very distant future, he was also firmly convinced that from a colonial point of view any deviation from the original route would be a fatal mistake^

It is pleasing to see from the annual report of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association that the Committee are in such great heart after the very heavy loss ihey Busiaim d in in November lass when Jupiter Pluvius moat successfully prevented anything like a deoent attendance of the general publio on the, show grounds, If it had not been for this loss the Association would have l een in fairly smooth water now, and even as it is., the finances are in anything but a bopel-es condition, thanks to the loyal and gonerous support which haß been given by the Committee, mombors in general and the exhibitors, There are no more generous or loyal supporters of the Association than the Wuirarapa people, and the fact of Mr H. H, Beetham, of. Brancepeth, having been elected President for the ensu ingyear, has been hailed with muoli satisfaction in Wellington. Under his presidency it is to be hoped that the Association will have a succoss ful year before them—that is to say successful financially, from a show point of view they have always reached the pitch of excellence.

Much sympathy is felt for Mr Charles Phaiazyn of Longwood in the sad bereavement he has sustained by the death of bis youngest daughter. Mr Pharazyn is living in Mr George Beetham'B house in town while the latter is away in England and I hear had decided to reside hero for the winter moots but the death of bis little daughter may possibly alter his arrangements.

Tho generally accepted notion thai Colonel Fox has been received with hostility and even with rudeness by tho Government has lieondispelled by the very short and sharp contradiction he wrote to thfi" Evening Poat" in reply to an article referring to his contemplated retirement from the position of commandant. As a matter of fact I have reason to know that Colonel Fox iB on very good terms with'tbo Ministry, but I believe the bone of. contention is that the Colonel finds bo is nut possessed of the powers which as commandant of the forces he is entitled to under the Queen's regulation, Plainly speaking his authority in connection with the command of the Forces is not recognised aB fu'ly as it should be aDd being a strict disciplinarian and stickler ior military etiquette, be naturally obafea at the restraint which it is endeavoured to place upon him in the discharge ot his duties. Then again he has reason to complain that his recommendations have not been properly considered or given ef feet to, but no reasons are assigned for the failure to do so. Naturally a high spirited man and a soldier with a distinguished military experience objects strongly to such a state of affairs, and hence he demands to have his position properly defined or to be relieved from his engagement, These, I believe, art about the facts of the case, but as to there being any reason to suppose that any discourtesy or hostility has been shown him by the Government Colonel Fox has himself completely disposed of this statement.

'%faj:ii,<vjie has besn shown over aiitl over again in Australia, Colonial Governmentsare unable tounderstand the niceties of military etiquette and discipline, and hence it is that we see they are constantly comiug into conlliot with their commandants over questions of authority. The only wonder is that men with established military reputations' are found ready to risk | tbem by accepting colonial appointments at all if they are to be thwarted at every turn by political jacks-in-office. Such men as Colonel Fox, for instance, could readily iind congenial employment in the Imperial Service in positions where their services would be appreciated and rewarded instead of being contemptuously ignored, It we do lose Colonel Fox this Colony will have cause to regret it, for we shall never obtain a better man.