JOTTINGS from WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4939, 31 January 1895, Page 2

JOTTINGS from WELLINGTON.

(By Ouv Own Correspondent,) Tutsday. The Consecration of Br Wallis.~ A Nolahle Procession.—An Eminent Divine.—The New Bishop—An Interesting Ship.—The "Southern Gross" and her Passengers.—Departmental Buildings.—The Mysterious Mr Frffl —A distinguished Visitor,—Racing and the Totalisator—Virtuous bj Act of Parliament.—A Happy Notion.— Excursions for Country School Children.—A Spieling Episode.

There is but little further for me to add in connection with the Consecration of Dr Wallis, on Friday last, at St. Paul's pro-Cathedral, as the ceremouy has heen so ably and fully reported, not only by the Wellington papers, but by tho Press Association. To me, the most striking feature in the whole ceremony, was the very large gathering of clergy, from all parts of the Colony, who had come to .do honour to our new Bishop. As, with bowed heads and in full canonicals, they marched into the church in procession, the effect was extremely impressive. There was the soldierly and erect figure of the Acting Primate (Bishop Cowie \vasasoldier,!tnd saw some service before he entered the Church), the stalwart forms of the Bishops of Ohristchurch aiflß Melanesia, perfect specimens of muff cnlar Christianity these two, and all the other New Zealand Prelates, Bishops Neville, Mules, and Williams. Then there were the archDeacons, the Priests, and the Deacons. Amongst the latter, were to be seen several Maori clergymen, who bore themselves with a dignity boliittng the occasion.

The two most conspicuous figures in the procession were, of course, the Bishop of Salisbury and the Bishop of Wellington. The presence of such an eminent English Prelate, as Dr Wordsworth, naturally lent additional interest to the ceremony, and more especially so, when it was remembered that be had travelled all the way from the Old Country, to lake part in the Consecration of one who had been his friend and coadjutor in the far-distant diocese of Salisbury. Earnestly and warmly, did I lie Bishop, in his sermon after the Consecration, commend Dr Wallis to the sympathies and nssistaiw of the church people of the Diocefif It was evident that the Bishop was speaking from his heart, and largely prompted by the esteem lie felt for his former chaplain. The sermon created a most marked effect. The characteristics of the Bishop's undo —the poet of nature as he has been fittingly termed—showed forth, when Dr Wordsworth spoke in glowing terms of the natural beauties of this Colony, and bow grieved bo was, to see the reckless destruction, which was daily taking place, of our forest scenery.

The new Bishop preached in the evening, and showed himself to bo possessed of considerable powers of eloquence and earnestness, The general opinion was that Dr. Wallis would prove a success in his administration of the Diocese, from the fact that he was entering upon bis charge not with any preconceived ideas of the great reforms he was going to effect, but with tho desiro to furtte the welfare of the Church uflfi existing lines by stimulating tne efforts of the people by bis own personal influence and example. Since he has been in Wcllington,Dr Walliß has made himself known as widely as possible in tho time, and from what I can hear I should not be surprised to see that he will interest himself deeply iu the various kinds of social Legislation, which are now perplexing the Colony.

What struck mo as forcibly as anything in connection with the Consecration, was the dingy appearanca of the pro-Cathedral. It seemed altogether out of keeping with such an imposing and dignified ceremony. The Bishop of Salisbury alluded to the handsome Churches in the other portions of the Colony he had visited, and hinted pretty plainly, although delicately, the necessity fchatexists here for a new building in a more commanding situation. Certainly our match-box edifice, situated as it is in one of tbo most squalid streets in Wellington, is hardly likely to favorably impress a Bishop who hfa been accustomed to the architccturlf splendors of what is one of the most beautiful Cathedrals in EnglandSalisbury—even if be allows a very wide margin for the difference of our conditions.

One of the most interesting sights in town at tho present moment is tbo mission vessel, "Southern Cross" with her crow of Melanesian Islanders, and her passengers, who consist of Bishop Wilson and 30 Island youths whom he is training for evangelistic work amongst the islands of his Diocese. The boys appear devoted to the Bishop and are generally to be seen following him in procession about town, their dark intelligent faces and quaint appeara-npe, dressed as they are in a kind of seraiEuropean garb, but with bare feet, attracting much curious attention. The " Southern Cross" herself is well worth inspecting as she is a model of cleanliness and neatness. She is in addition a,yeritable floating museum, being crammed with all kinds of Island curios which are offered for 6ale, the proceeds being devoted to tho Melanesian MissJß Fund. ™

I tind I was in error in stating I that Dr Newman, M.H.R,, had determinod to withdraw from election to the Education Board. As a matter of fact, the doctor is keener on educational matters than over, and is now issuing a circular to all Country School Committees, splicitipg fhefp support at the fortbeoming election. No public man has given more time to or taken a greater amount of interest in education, than Dr New. man, and it is therefore a matter for congratulation to know that he has no intention of retiring from a position in which his experience and knowledge is of much sorvice to state education, in this District.

I understand that a large number of nominations have been received from all parts of the Colony,of candidates for election to the Post and Telegraph Department ApuAl Board. Under the regulations whfli liayo been framed, the Secretary of the Department is appointed Return,. ing Officer, with the Chief Cl'ork pf the General Post Office, and the Assistant Officer in Charge of tho Weilington Tolegrapb Office as scrutj. ueers. Ballot papers are now being prepared, and thd election pijist take place within four'weeks''frWlEe date' of receiving nominations, the 23rd instant. The yesu|t'6£ theelectioii which is.beibg eagerly ffa ton'ed ■* by,.the officers of the Departta^q^f

throughout tlio Colony .slmuld therefore bo mado known about the end of February, The Departmental Buildings are being considerably backed about internally, in order to provide accommodation for tho whole of the Hcad-quarters Staff of tho Railway uu Service The alterations will, no 19 doubt, cost tho Colony a good sum, but the present nrrangementof housing the different staffs in offices scattered all over the City, is not only extremely inconvenient hut costly, and therefore tho saving in office rent will more than compensate for the expense of altering the Government Buildings. It is wonderful how elastic the accommodation in " the largest wooden building in the world" is. Wo frequently hear complaints of over-crowding, but, notwithstanding, there always seems to bo plenty of room for now offices, when occasion requires it, The Public Trust Officers arc now removing into their new quarters in the Government Insurance Buildings. This being accomplished, all the Government Departments will be housed in buildings the property of! the Colony, instead of paying heavy' rents for office accommodation to - private owners. I

Can anybody explain, why Mr Vry, "formerly private in a British A Kegiment,"shoiild have been brought Spoilt to the Colony as a Drill Instructor and, having been duly landed here, he should forthwith be shipped Home again ? Possibly Colonel t'ox could uitray/el the mystery. Surely there are plenty of capable meu in the Colony competent to act as drill instructors, without going to the expense of importing a private "Tommy Atkins," and having secured the paragon, why send him back again ? I wonder who is responsible for this little arrangement, which tho doughty Colonel has, apparently, promptly " sat upon."

Talking of Colonel Fox, 1 am reminded of the fact that our gallant commandant is to bo married on the 6th of next month, to the second daughter of Captain Russell, 31.11.1t. I also hear, that another well-known Wellington resident, Mr W. S. Reid, Solicitor-General, is to he united in the bonds of holy matrimony, to Miss Halse, eldest daughtei of the late Judge Halse, on or about .the 6ame date. £ .- ~ About the biggest man in Wellington, at the present moment is, in every sense ot the word, Sir J. Abbott, Speaker of the Upper House in New South Wales. Sir J. Abbott stands about 6ft. -iin. in his stockings, and his commanding iigure and distinguished appearance, attract much enquiring attention, as he makes his way through the streets. Our distinguished visitor is Chairman of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, amongst the other important public positions he holds in Sydney, and he is, I learn, over here partly on the Society's business and partly on a holiday tour.

Last week a perfect sporting carnival was raging, and as a natural result of course little or no business was done. On Monday, the town virtuously went to work after its Sunday rest, but the remainder of the week was taken up by horse-

racing, yacht racing, pigeon shooting «ncl a ram and ewe fair, To eacli of lese events a large proportion of the citizens went as their tastes or their occupations inclined them. No less than four days in one week were taken up with horse racing alone, consisting of the Racing, the Trotting, and the Herctaunga Hack Clubs' annual events. This is too much racing, it must be admitted, and the question at once arises as to what share the totalisator plays in all this. It is perfectly evident that the small clubs could not pay the stakes were it not for the profits derived from the totalisator. Indeed, it was actually admitted in one of the Wellington papers that the Hack Meeting held on Saturday, had put such a substantial sum through the machines that the 10 per cent, deduction would enable them to pay the stakes in full. If this is not a " totalisator meeting," therefore, I should like to know what is. I have taken the trouble to take out the figures, and find that a total sum of £24,188 was put through the total-

isators at the three meetings held week. Of this amount, the large wim of £2,400 was retained by the totalisators, so it does not require very much reflection on the part of the racing public to sec where their money goes. It would be infinitely better for the public and for the strong racing clubs too, wero the totalisator abolished to-morrow.

The totalisator benefits not a soul except the clubs, for the public could bet just as easily, quite as safely, and far more comfortably, were reputable and duly licensed bookmakers allowed on tho course. The totalisator offers temptations to people to bet who can ill afford the luxury. These people would be chary of wagering with a bookmaker with the same reckless prodigality as they bet on the totalisator. The totalisator does not improve racing. Although Mr Camel!, M.H.R., says it improves the breed of racehorses. Thore is more sharp practice indulged in indirectly in connection with the totalisator, than there ever ■•'' Was in the palmiest days of book, making in Jfew Zealand. The total"isator has, in fact, encouraged and •festered knavery and chicanery of fl|ery description in connection with hoise racim?, until now not even those in the" know" are able to say whether a horso is " going " for the race or not. It of tens depends upon how much the public havo" fancied" him in the machine before the owner gives bis final instructions to his jockey. The totalisator is capable of being " faked" to deceive the public, not be it understood by those haying charge of its working, fori am firmly convinced that the actual mechanical manipulation is absolutely fairly and squarely carried out, but by thoße interested in putting the public off or on to a horse.

Theu we are so absurdly inconsistent with our gaming laws in this Colony, for if the principle, is affirmed, as it is, that gambling is immoral mid injurious to tho community, why is an exception made in favour of the tofalisator 'i We must Jfit gamble with cards, dice, or any Hier instruments in any public or indeed private place of resort but wo can gamble to our heart's content on a racecourse through a| totalisator. But even the totalisatpr can be used nowhere else. Where is' the logic ii| the whole thing i Why not legalise sweeps, '"consul?: tatibns," and raffles ? ' fhey are nqt pno whit more immoral than the tojalisator'. ,Jt is an old saying |&ai yon cannot in'ake people fflf>ral by Act of Parliament,' tut I am' really beginning to fancy tHatit is not 60 '

We have been enjoying tho most perfect summer weather for the last week or two. A trifle hot perhaps for locomotion in the dusty glaring streets, but nevertheless ideal in every other respect. Judging by \ the dense clouds of smoke which have j been overhanging the city lately the! settlers in the near vicinity of Wei-1 liugton have been taking advantage of the dry season to indulge early in good " burns." The smoke is unpleasant, but we submit cheerfully to the inconvenience when we consider that many a struggling settler will be set up by being fortunate enough to clear the fallen bush off his section in readiness for the grass sowing. Our local Zadkiel, Captain ililwin, has gone away with the Governor in the " Hinomoa " on a visit to the outlying islands to the south of New Zealand and his tain leuem, Captain Kennedy, may possibly continue kindly disposed to us during his absence.

It is a happy idea and one that ought to become speedily immensely popular, this notion of the Railway authorities to run excursion trains i during the Summer, especially to 'give country children an outing at - the seaside, or to view the sights of the large towns which many perhaps I will see for the first time. Setting aside the groat pleasure which such an outing will give to country school children, the educational advantages to derived from ocular demonstration of the rapid advances which civilization lias made in this young country of ours will be an object le.-sou of the highest value. The origination of the idea is to be most highly commended, and it is to he hoped that the excursions will be as hugely successful as they deserve to be. It will be somewhat of a large order, for instance, to convey several hundreds of children all'the way from Kketahunaaud back on thesame day, picking them up and dropping them again at all the stations vn route, but I have no doubt that having originated the idea, every cave will be taken to bring it to a successful issue.

That horse-racing is not an nn mixed blessing, the presence of numerous spielers in town, amply testifies, I heard from an eye-wit-ness, of a most impudent attempt, on the part of two of these undesirable gentry, to eise a station hand, who had arrived from the country by the mid-day train on Saturday, of his pocket book, which appeared to bo stuffed full of notes. It appears that the station hand, who was somewhat the worse for liquor, had met the two spielers at the railway station, and was persuaded by (hem to engage a cab, and go for a drive. They drove up Tinakori road in the direction of the Botanical Gardens, but our friend with the cheque to knock down, becoming suspicious of his companions' intentions towards him, insisted on slopping the cab and getting out in front of a wayside hostelry. Here he tendered the cabman a banknote for the fare, and was in the act of receiving the change, when one of the men seized a half-sovereign which was amongst it, and immediately made off. The gentleman from the country immediately gave chase, and captured I ho thief, insist* ing on the money being returned, The spieler's mate then rushed tip, and plunging his hand into the station-hand's pocket, drew out the pocket book containing the notes, Fortunately our friend had sense enough to hang on to the thief, and the cabman and some bystanders coming to the rescue, the spielers decamped as fast as their legs could carry them, but without the money. No one thought of giving chase, and so unfortunately these rascals escaped scot free. All this happened in broad daylight, and in a much frequented street. The whole affair happened so quickly that no one realised at once what was the matter, As far as 1 know, the affair was not reported to the police as it should have been, consequently the spielers are still at large instead of awaiting their trial in Wellington gaol, for attempted robbery. This should be a lesson to young men from the country not to Hash their money about in public places, when they come to town, nor to take up too readily with affable strangers.