JOTTINGS from WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4907, 20 December 1894, Page 3

JOTTINGS from WELLINGTON.

(By Our Own Correspondent), w, n Tuesday, 11 n , ' ll ' w ' s -fitness " Bumhi the Oanihat Both Ends!"-The lie tmment of Sir John Hall, A Suggest T'7, m>ere Boctors D'ffer.-Th Weekly Mf-Eoliday.-The Vim ti?!?." 10 m^°{ "is Wairarapa Wellington Woollen Co. An AM ffi°. r },-~llousa Accommodation h Wellington.—The B. and B. Season. The Premior is ill again,and fron what I can gather mainly owing t overwork and the tremen dons straii ho puts on himself generally. M Seddon arrived bero on Saturda; morning, after a very hurried am tiring tour in the north, where hi was almost constantly engaged in re ceiving deputations and performinj en route whatever required mos urgently to be dono in connectioi with his various departments, wind ing up, as you know, by opening th Rotorua Railway. Reaching her about 10 a m. on Saturday, llr Sed don at once proceeded straight fron to his office, and witl bufcaoriof interval for refreshmen ho was hard at work till early 01 Sunday morning, No respecter o the Sabbath when work lias to b' got through, Mr Seddon again com menced bis labour shortly after break fast, working incessantly all day,am by evening he entirely collapsed,anc to-day (Monday) he is confined ti his bed in a complete state o exhaustion with feverish inllti enza symptoms. By the ene of the week, the Premier, well, oi ill, will bo off again. There ism doubt that the strainMr Seddon put: on himself is more than mortal frami can bear for long, and something must break shortly, unless he ease: down that restless activity and fever iah industry of his, When the port folio of railways is added to his already multifarious duties, matter! • will be worse than ever, and tlu chances are that a permanent col lapse will result which oven hif pluck and wonderful endurance wil not bo proof against, By sheer hare work and ceaseless activity the Pre mier is doing more to defeat himseli than all the alleged faultsnnd folliei of his administration are capable of I have heard it meiitionedrecentlj apropos of Sir John Hall's retiremenl from politics that it would be i graceful act on the part of the Gov ernment to call him to the Uppei House, Sir John is still full of goot and useful work and the chances are that as a member of the Legislative Council he would bo a distincl success—even moro so thai in tho Lower House, where ir later years ho has been somewhat out of his element fighting in the ranks of the Opposition. Manj years ago when Mr Seddon was t neophyte in politics, Sir John Hal! took a good deal of interest in the blustering and loquacious, although undoubtedly clever, West Coastei and taught him many a political wrinkle and gave him many a friendly hint which the future Premier of New Zealand has profited by. In those days, thong! never a follower, Mr Seddon was a firm admirer of Sir John, and showed in many ways his gratitude for the encouragement and help given to him by the veteran politician. That admiration and esteem has, I have no doubt, remained up tc the presont day, and there is now

an excellont opportunity for the Jtemier to show his gratitude. flßre is bound to be a batch of Tleiislative Councillors appointed b/ore long, and the inclusion of Sir JdhD Hall amongst the number would not only be an exceedingly graceful act, but would also perhaps act as the little lump of leaven which might leaven the whole.

It is rather hard on the captain of tbo "Gothic "to be fined £25 for a mistaken diagnosis on the part of the doctor of the steamer, It is especially lard considering the circumstances. Not only did two medical men on the Gothic, the ship's doctor and a passenger, both emphatically declare that the man was not suffering from scarlet fever, but from influenza and tonsilitis, but the Government medical officer also was unable to recogniso the disease, although certainly his examination was but a perfunctory one, A more palpable case of doctors differing was never known, and the result of their difference is that Captain Kidley has been mulcted in the pretty substantial penalty of £25 for making a declaration according to the advice of his ship's surgeon. Curiously enough, both the ship's doctor and the English medical man who was a passenger, both hold out still that the man who is bow in the hospital is not suffering from scarlet fever at all, while the local medicos, on the other hand, declare he is. Under these circumstances who is to decide ? Surely the Captain might havo been given the benefit of the doubt, as it was abundantly evident he acted throughout in perfect good faith and with no intention to deceive, Certainly this is another instance of the law proving itself "a bass,"

The Post Officeauthorities in Woltoa certainly cannot lay claim to an abundance of perspicacity or thoy

would have provided for the rapid growth of population in the city during the last few years, by omploying ' a ML more P O9tmon a^°n d*° * ue I&HK increased deliveries. As a '"dlaw of fact I believe the number of men engaged in delivering the mails is just the same as it was five years ago, and yet I suppose in that period the town has increased by fully 5000 people. Truly the times have changed, but tho post office people do not change with them. Take the Wairarapa mails which arrive about noon and are sorted by 12.30, it very often happens that unless you happen to be a private box lolder, letters are not received by tho addressees until lato in the afternoon, too late to be answered by the mail, which closes at 2,50, This often causes inconvenience which could easily be avoided by a quicker delivery.

Tho weekly half-holiday question is exciting considerable attention just at present amongst the tradespeople, as the time draws near for the City Council to decide which is the day to be selected. It would appear that the employers would like Wednesday, while the employes aro to a man almost in favor of Saturday. The main point, however, to be considered is what day would best suit the couvenienco of the general public. This phase of tho question lias not beenconsideredatall. Naturally enough the employes prefer Saturday, for the reason that with Sunday following it moans apleasant break in the week's work, and moreover there is more in the way of amusement to be found on Saturday afternoon than in the middle of the

week, when comparatively few ps--1 tftbliebments are closed. The em.

ployera prefer Wednesday, for the substantial reason that the Saturday afternoon and ovening trade is always considerable, and vorj ofton makes up tho Woienoj on a bad week, Close tho shop! on Saturday afternoon they say and the mechanics and work ing mon generally who recoivc their weekly pay on that day, woulc not bo able to do tlioirsbopping witl " the missus and tho kids," and ol though they would, of course, b< compelled to lay in tho usual supplies on some otlior day, yet it would bo inconveniont to tho vast majority and, in addition, the little oxtriu which result from the husband sally, ing out with the" gudo wife" on t shopping expedition, would bo curtailed. This curtailment would nol necessarily mean economy, for tin husband for lack of otheramusemenl would in all probability seek th< publio houßO or tho working man'i club, andßpendhissurplus cash there Then fancy the dullness of the towi on a Saturday night with the shops closed and the usually brilliantly iii streets in comparative gloom, Why it wouldn't seem liko Saturday nighl if tho shops wore to close. Thai the Saturday night display is appreciated anyone with half an oyc can see from the crowds which throng the streets. It is right and propei that the shop assistants should liavi a half holiday once a wcel and there aro surely enougl in a large town liko Wellington fot them to provide amusement amongsl themselves on Wednesday witlioul taking away the pleasure of thousands who dearly love the Saturday shopping jaunt. It would, I am sure bo a most unpopular move for the City Council to select Saturday as tho closing day, and I sincerely hope they will not do so. The Union Company are, I hear, holding now an enquiry of their owr into the loss of the " Wairarapa,' but tho proceedings are being conducted with such privacy that it is impossible to ascertain what nen facts have been elicited. As, however, tho whole evidonco will practically be of an expert nature it it moro than likely that some new facts will bo brought out which will perhaps put a different complexion or tho causes which led Capt-aii Mcintosh to be so far out of his reckoning, and which may also cleai up the apparently inexplicable motive he had in driving his ship ful! speed ahead through such a densi fog, This much, by tho way, [ have been told by a well-knowr jffictr in the Company's service, wht had himself been called upon to give svidence upon nautical matters which were not fully brought out al tho enquiry. A very strong feeling jxists amongst the officers of th< [Jnion Company at the aspersions which have been cast upon the charters of their colleagues of tht ' Wairarapa," and which they think were not entirely justified considering tho nature of the evidence taker xom people who were naturally nol jualified to judge, and who were, noreover, as might bo expected in i highly excited and biassed state.

The report of the Special Commit-

tee which was appointed to enquire into and report on the management and future trade prospects of the Wellington Woollen Company, has openedtho eyes of a good many people in general, and the shareholders in particular. It would appear

that while the Board was being torn by internal dissensions, the business of the Company was steadily going to the bad. The system of management was ineffectual, and one of the first principles of commercial enterprise had been altogether over-looked, namely,

the ascertainment of the cost of the goods which were being offered for sale, There appears to bo nothing for it, but the retirement of the present Directors and the appointment of a fresh Board who will work more harmoniously together, and keop a tighter grasp on the reins of authority. Individually, as the report states, the Directors are capable business men, butindividual effort is I of course of no avail,when the Board, as a whole, is split into factions, It is reassuring, at anyrate, to hear that the Company is financially in a sound condition, and.that, but n different system of management, both as regards the manufacture and disposal of the Company's goods, is all that will probably he necessary to lead it on to prosperity once again. There can bo no doubt as to the quality of tlie goods manufactured, but tbo Committee of investigation hit the right nail on the head when they said that more caro must be taken to keep abreast with fashion in the matter of designs, I have heard this over and over again. It is a very able and exhaustive report and its publication whether authorised or unauthorised will do much to restore confidence in the Company. It was a deadly mistake to keep the matter such a profound secret, The utmost publicity was absolutely necessary otherwise it might have been thought there really was something to hide.

Dwelling houses aro at a premium in Wellington just now owing mainly to the largo influx of bank officials and others. It is almost an impossibility for decently sized, conveniently appointed and situated houses to bo obtained. Bents havo consequently been largely increased and house-owners are reaping a rich bar? vest from their investment. Showing how high rents are I may mention that houses of from 9 to 14 rooms easily command a rent of from £IOO to £250 per annum Ono fine house I know of in Fitzherbert Terrace (ono of the pleasantest situationinWellington)with only a fairly large garden has just been let furnished at the high rental of \ £4OO per annum. The rents at the i Tborndon end of the town are, of course, the highest, for this is the favorite and fashionablepart of Wellington, but houses at Te Aro are also proportionately high, There are no suburbs worth, falking about around Wellington where residence is convenient, The Hutt, though a delightful spot to reside in, is too far away for most business men, and the trains are too Blow and too infrequent to compensate for the distance from town, Karori, though a pleasantsuburbisinacessiblethrough want of tram or proper 'bus service, Kilbirnie, Wadestown, Seatown, and other suburbs are- only suitable for villa or cottage residences, and the sajnp objection which applies to the Hutt and Petone equally ' applies to Khandallah or Johnsonville, Practically tho bulk of business men are at present forced to reside in town, and consequently the place is becoming more and more crowded every year, and as space becomes valuable naturally rent goes up, The time must come when people will be compelled to reside out of town, and tho train and 'bus services will have to be improved!

accordingly. In this respect .Wellington is cqrtainly a long way behind the other large centres in the colony. Howevor, it is an ill wind that blows nobody good, and at the present moment I know of-no more lucrative investment in the colony itlin.il the possession of goodhonse property in Wellington.

Some remark has been made regarding the action of the Education Board in keeping the public sohools in this district opon until the day before Christinas. Not only is this shortening of tho holidays', a disappointment to the children, but it is hard on the teachers to forego part of their annual vacation. I do not knowwhat the reason maybe unless it is something to do with the annual examinations.

The Brongh and Bouoicault Company are enjoying a most succcsflfnl season which they richly deserve, fot more finished performances are nol to be seen anywhere in these colonies. Every member of the Company is an artist in his or her particular line, although of course Mr and Mrt Brongh and Mr Titheradge shine pre-eminent. " Sowing the Wind" was a very fine performance, "Aunt Jack," although admirably played, is a farce of the broadest nature, and hardly worthy of such a talented company; ;i Lady Windermere's Fan " was a treat of the highest excellence not not only from an histrionic point of view, but also on account of the »reat merits of the play as a literary production. Goldsmith's fine old 3omedy of" She Stoops to Conquer," was produced last nightand needless to 6ay this evergreen play was produced and acted in a faultless manner. We are looking forward to the production of Pinero's nasterpiece: "The Second Mrs Tanqueray, which created such a furore whon first put on the stage in London from the fact that it was the first attempt on the part of a modern English dramatist, to deal with what in polito society is usually i tabooed subject. On Friday night i most enjoyable season will close with that delightful piece of nonsense " Niobe—all smiles." We will be sorry to lose the Broughs for they are just as popular off the stage is on, and we may deem ourselves jspecially lucky in having had a pisitfrom them at all, for they leave lirect from here for Australia without playing further north, the reason being that they have en»agomonts to fulfil on the other side before Mrsßrough finally leaves for England. It is a matter for rejret that the Railway authorities ire so uncompromising in the matter )f special trains for I am sure many from your district would have liked to have availed themselves of the opportunity of seeing this celebrated lompany, had the chance been offered to them.