WELLINGTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 507, 22 May 1869, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(FEOII OUE OWS COERESPOXDEyT.) May 11. The forty essays ou the Settlement of Groldiields have been opened, and are supposed to have been read carefully by the arbitrators. The Independent a few days ago praised those gentlemen for tho manner in which they performed their arduous task, but strongly suspect that were the truth known, Mr Domett and his confreres were far too knowing to wade through the six or eight huudred pages of manuscript iuilicted on them, while clerks in their oflices could be made to do tho work for them; and small blame to them if they evade penance ; the result is the same. No one knows, and few outside that historical num. ber care, whether the best men won the laurels and the tin. Any one who would take tho trouble to form a moderately plan for the permanent settlement of a digging population, for tho construction of a railway to the moon, or the manufacture of the philosophers' stone, deserves to be amply compensated in coin and renown, so that I think our three prize-men have earned what they will get. As to any beneficial results being derived from the writing of all or any of the forty essays, I don't believe any sane man ever expected it. The next Assembly will be opened in all probability by Commission, as the Governor is in Auckland with the Prince, and it is expected that bearleading (excuse the profanity) and pheasant shooting will detain him till after the opcuiug day. All arrangements for the Commission are already made, so that it looks as though he would be late. By-the-by, will it not bo the first session opened by Commission ? Among the on dits is one too good to be let pass unnoted. It is that a coalition Ministry including Messrs Stafford, Travers, and Fox may be expected next session. A turn-out on the address and a dissolution are confidently spoken about. The new Government House is commenced. The first sod was turned two or three days ago without any ceremony, the old building is rapidly disappearing, and the new one is being brought on the ground piece meal. A twelvemonth, we are told, will see the new Government House standing on the site of the old one. So about ten Knighthoods may be expected to fall to the share of "New Zealand asasouveniroftheDuke's visit. Who the lucky men are no one knows. If they choose the Superintendents of the Provinces they will have a nice mob. There have been negociations going on between Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane, the owners of the Circular Saw line of steamers and the N. Z. S. N. Company for the purchase by the former of the plant of the latter. I believe as high as GOs or 65s per share has been offered and refused. At present the matter is in statu quo.