JOTTINGS from WELLINGTON

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4923, 17 January 1895, Page 3

JOTTINGS from WELLINGTON

(By Our Own Correspondent). Tuesday. A "duffer"fieldon lamblon Quay. On the Wing. An Embargo on jfßletics. A Musical Influx. The mollen Company's Mew Directorate. Unmoved to Wellington. A Smart Reprisal More About the New Bishop. ;1 Soliloquy on "Silk." Is the Celestial Played Out f About a Brit/ye. Oily Properties and Recent Saks. An Anti-gambling Crusade. Influenza Again. The report that a goldmine had been discovered oil Lanibton Quay, one day last week, quickly drew a largo crowd together, who were anxious to see for themselves what truth there was in the rumour. In a wonderfully short space of time, all the "dead-beats" in the town, exminers, and knowing ones generally, including of course, the '■ Heathen Chinee," and the übiquitous street gamin, gathered round a small hole tftled with muddy water, in which some few were washing the" dirt," whilst others were exhibiting to admiring beholders, specimens of what they thought was the precious metal. An enterprising sharebroker was P\y on the scene, with visions of a Meal in shares of what he fondly noped might be a big gold discovery. Jint alas for the vanity of human imaginings, for the inevitable expert presently hove in sight, and with an important air examined the "specimens," and quickly dashed the hopes of all to the ground, by explaining that the alleged gold'was not the genuine article at all, but simply the " spelter " from melted zinc, caused by a fire on the same spot some years ago. As quickly then the crowd dispersed as it had gathered, and the disappointment caused by the announcement was appeased by copious draughts of Staples' XXX, at the hostelry which stood next door to this tield, which hail turned out j such a rank" duffer."

This edict from the Commissioner of Police laying an embargo on policemen and members of artillery corps, belonging to athletic clubs or joining in athletics of any description, is exciting much comment. It is a well known fact that Colonel Jjjfflie is himself personally a lirm iHever in, and ardent supporter of athletics in every shape and form. The genial Under-Secretary for Defence and Commissioner of Police is, I believe, the president of one or more football clubs, the president of the Caledonian Society, and the chief director of its games, besides which, lie takes a keen interest in rowin". All the Colonel's sons are well-known athletes, one was the amateur champion scalier of New Zealand, and another, who is a lieutenant in the Permanent Artillery, is a noted runner and jumpei. It can scarcely be conceived, therefore, that Colouel Hume, has upon his own responsibility or conviction, issued such an order. Somebody more powerful even than the Colonel has directed the issue of the edict and the author's identity is not difficult to guess at. Possibly the same autocrat is responsible for the decree which has put an end to an annual cricket match which has for many years past Burn place between the two wellqPwn departments of the public service, by informing the departments in question when they recently applied for the usual leave, that if they liked to take the day off for their match, they would be docked a day's pay. As a day's pay is no ineau consideration to the usually impecunious Civil Servant, the officers very naturally did not see the /on® of taking the holiday under conditions,

WeOington is about to lose permanently one of its oldest and most respected citizens, in the person of Mr Joseph Nathan, of the firm of Joseph Nathan & Co,, who leaves very shortly for London where he will take up his residence. Mr Nathan has played no unimportant part in the Commerce, and advancement of this City generally, chief amongst which may be mentioned the active share he took in the promotion of the Wellington-Mauawatu Railway Company. Mr Nathan always had a great faith in the that would accrue to WeiJKigton and the • Manawatu District the formation of this line, and it was largely owing to his efforts, more particularly as regards the financing of the infant company, that the scheme was brought to such a successful conclusion. The extensive business of Messrs J, Nathan <fc Co. will, I understand, be conducted by Lis sons entirely, in the future. Sir Nathan has succeeded in disposing of his fine residence and grounds in Hawkestone-street, to Dr Grace, who will reside there.

Wellington has recently gained fresh and important reinforcements to its musical ranks in the persons of Sirs A. E. Donne, nee Miss Jeanne Ramsay, the well-known Slelbourne soprano, who has been heard here with much pleasure, Sirs Stebbing, better known as Miss Clarice Brabnzon, - the eminent pianhk,hn husband, MrHoraco Stebbing, an Auckland vocalist-of some repute, and last, but by no means least, Sir Maughan Barnett, an English organist of eminence, who has been appointed organist of St, John's jjttiurch. With such a fine collection JSfmw talent, togethor with what we had here already, Wellington should lie able easily to take the lead in New Zealand musical matters, We must, however, still agitate until we can obtain a decent concert hall.

/"The new directorate of the Wellington Woollen Company pleases everybody, except the disappointed few Vho either could not get their nominees in, or obtain election them- ' selves. With such a powerful directorate, comprising as it does the flower of the commercial talent in Wellington, increased confidence will be felt in the company, and it is certain that everything will progress satisfactorily in the future. Given a reasonable opportunity to develop their policy, the now directorate will not allow the shareholders to wait, long for the declaration of the long-looked-for dividend, I hear that the Hon. C. J. Johnston, who was f' imed at the top of the poll, is to ted chairman of tlie company, eady there is an improvement in the market quotations of the shares. A sure sign that confidence is being renewed. The fact of such a large n'umber of the mill bands holding shirres, and the pressure which it is said was put upon them to return certain directors for obvious reasons, which it is not necessary to i»o into, has beenvety freely commented upon in town.

The entire staSof the Assets Company has now reached Wellington fwtp Mcklandyajid they are located

in offices in tlio Exchange Buildings, next to the head-office of the Bank of Now Zealand, Thero is no intention, I bolieve, at present, of buildingnew Bank promises,or of obtaining moreelaborateaccoinmodation,which considering the circumstances is not surprising. Meanwhile I am told, the fine promises vacated by the head-oliicc of the Bank and the Assets Company in Auckland aro un tenanted. Fortunately the premises here have been obtained at a very cheap rato, and the fact of their occupation must be a blessing to the owneis of the Exchango Buildings, who have found the place a white elephant for a long timo past.

With this largo influx of Bank and other officials to Wellington recently, rents have gone up at least 25 per cent., and lodging houses aro at a premium. It is all il! wind that blows no one good, and certainly the addition of such a large number of well paid officials to our population must be a good thing for the local trade,

It will not be very long now before the head-quarters of the Bank of New South Wales is removed to Wellington from Cliristchurch. Mr Rliind, the New Zealand Inspector of the Bank, is, I understand,shortly to retire on pension,and the appointment of a new chief will be tho opportunity to make the change.

It is reported that- Mr H. 1). Bell, M.H 11, as well as Mr J. Dutliie, is about to pay a visit to England shortly, but that he hopes to be able to take his seat in the House sometime during next session. 1 also hear that the Kev. Edward Bell, Sir Francis' youngest sou, is about to pay a visit to his relatives in the Colony, and to recuperate his health by a brief stay in New Zealand.

Dr. Newman, tlio energetic mem'ber for Wellington suburbs, is now on ii visit to liis brother, who owns a station somewhere in Poverty Bay. Apparently the Doctor made up his mind to give the Hon. James Carroll a Roland for his Oliver by delivering a political address in the astute " Jimmy's " stronghold. It will he remembered that during the last election MrCarroll addressed a meeting in Petone, on behalf of the Government candidate-Mr Wilford. The Doctor has now gone one better.

DrWallis, the Bishop-designate of the Wellington Diocese, created a very favourable impression on Sunday last, when he read the lessons at St Paul's. The new Bishop is' somewhat short and spare, dark and clean shaven, lie wears glasses and has a viry pleasant expression, I am told by one or two who have met him, that he is sure to become exceedingly popular from the fact that there is an utter absence of any clerical 11 side," and that he is, moreover, an enthusiastic worker, and not a cold-blooded and stand-off doctrinarian, such as the great English Universities often produce. Those who lnivo met Dr Wallis, predict that he will be a great success as a Bishop, and that in fact, despite our failures to obtain other clergymen, a better choice could not have been made,

I mentioned " side" in connection with my remarks about the new .Bishop, and this brings to my remembrance a few observations which 1 have been dying to unbosom myself of lately. It is in reference to this self-same peculiarity, which in Colonial parlance we term "side," The fact has been urged ou my mind for a long time past, that what we call "side," is essentially a Colonial monopoly—a product in fact of local industry. One rarely sees this idiosyncrasy in well-bred English people, it apparently flourishes best amongst the mushroom growths of Colonial Society. It is a native of the soil, and mostly peculiar to the Colonial noumm riclic. 1 am lead to infer this, not only from my own observation, but from that of others, Strangely enough, most of our most distinguished English visitors show au uttor absenceof "side," as arising from pride of birth, position or possessions, whilst the Queen's representative ill this Colony, his family and his staff, are devoid of it. Our Colonial aristocracy reeks with it, Heaven knows why, but they do. It is a strange and wonderful thing, this Colonial "side," which has arisen in the last generation or so, and the why and the wherefore of it puzzles one who, like myself, is seeking for light on the subject. However, having had my little say, I will turn to other topics.

The Chinamen in town are becoming so numerous that they are actually competing against one another in cutting prices. This may after all turn out to be the real cure for" the yellow agony," for there is a limit I suppose to the price at which even a Chinaman can sell commodities and yet make a living. The survival of tho fittest Chinaman having been duly consummated,, I presume the European may then cut in and have a chance to trade at a reasonable profit Chinamen who used to pay the merchants cash, now ask for terms, and require very sharp watching too. It is even on record that a Chinaman " filed his schedule" the other day in Napier, so there may be a chance for the Caucasian yet.

I do not wish to throw out any insinuation, which after all may be unfounded,but does it not seem peculiar that the new iron bridge which is to span tho Mangatainoka river on the Eketahuna-Woodvillc section of railway is being constructed by Messrs Scott Bros., of Christchurch ? One of the late Railway Commissioners, it will perhaps bo remembered, is a member of this town.

Sales of city properties at good figures still continue. I heard of a property on Lambton-quay, occupied by a well-known firm of printers and booksellers, changing hands tho other day at the substantial price of £10,000; or about £l5O per foot, free of brokers' commission. Not a bad transaction for these dull times. Another extensive sale of city pro-! perty is advertised for auction shortly comprising the whole of tho buildings known as the "Evening Post" corner—a highly valuable site, one of the most important in Welwatch if a sale is effected for this also, and at what price.

I hear thei'o is no possibility of either Mr J, R, Blair or Dr, Newman standing for election to the' Education Board again.. JDr f Neiy-j man s time is pretty fully occupied I witli other matters, while Mr Blair 1 is of opinion that he has had a long enough innings, and that somebody else should have a turn. It will be I & hard job to replace either of these fcyfo gentian satisfactorily, for both have proved fcfopitelvej ood»l

members of the Board, in evory respect, and by their long service they have acquired a knowledge of tho requirements of primary education in this district, which is invaluable.

The Kev. L. M. Isitt, that champion of prohibition, is in town again preparing, I hear, for a fresh crusade. The rev. gentloman looks the picture of health, jollity and energy. Apparently, the enormous amount of work, lecturing, travelling and talking, which Mr Isitt does, thoroughly agrees with him.

An Anti-Gambling League Js a I process of formation in Wellington. The objects of the League are the suppression of gambling in every shape and form, whether at Church bazaars, race meetings, public houses, clubs, or in private dwellings. I hear that the League has its eye an the Wellington clubs, but I would inform the League as ono speaking witli some authority, that it is not in the clubs where the bulk of the alleged gambling is done. The League must seek elsewhere.

Influenza is rife in town again and many serious cases are reported. Liko the poor, influenza seeuis to bo always with us now, and what is worse each outbreak seems to be moro severe in its effects than the previous one. Strangely enough the doctors seem to catch the complaint as severely as anyone, and in many cases they are unable to suggest a remedy. Truly a case of" Physician lieal thyself."