WELLINGTON.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 640, 2 April 1870, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(from our own correspondent.) March 22.

One of the numerous reports flying about, and originating no one knows how, is that Parliament is to meet early in June, and that a dissolution will take place as soon afterwards as possible. I don't know, and cannot find out, if there be any truth in it; but quietly many preparations are being already made for the general elections which, under any circumstances, cannot be very far distant. Tou probably will be glad to hear that the Hon. "W. G-isborne is spoken of as a candidate for the Hutt, and that his chance of a walk over the course is considered good. This gentleman's sterling worth, ability, industry, and strict honesty would ensure his "imme-

diate return by any constituency to which he was known. His place decidedly is in the House of Representatives, where his good qualities would ensure him great influence, but I believehe is not at homeinthe Ministry—he is too honest and straight-forward for the position, unless all his colleagues are men of like stamp —and J fully expect that he will not long remain in it. It is, perhaps, a humiliating confession, but the more one knows of Ministers either in the Home country or in the Colonies, the less disposed is one to feel implicit confidence in their political honesty. It may be only human nature, and that a Minister may be no worse than others, but only subject to greater temptations. While on the subject of Ministers, I must allude to the present Postmaster- General, of whom, on his taking office, I expressed an unfavorable opinion. lam even now no admirer of his, but I believe him to work hard and ably in the endeavor to perform his duties efficiently. I can hear little of favoritism shown by him, and much of his energy and ability to grasp a subject in all its bearings almost instantaneously. He has scarcely returned to Wellington a week, and yet has found time to take the first steps towards the preparation of the yearly estimates (the ground-work of the financial statement), and rumor says he is busy with an alteration (a reduction) in the tariff of telegraph charges. Yesterday the first telegraph station in the Taranaki Province was opened for public business. It is at Patea, and I hope we may soon hear of the line being carried on to Taranaki. There are no difficulties in the way now; the country is very favorable, and in a very short time the track being cut will be finished, and Cobb's coaches will be running through. A telegraph station at the Hutt, nine miles from Wellington, was also opened for business on the 21st. When writing about the general elections I omitted to mention that

one of the candidates (a new man) who will come forward for Wellington will pledge himself to move that the Governor's salary be struck off the estimates, and to strive by every means in his power to bring that result about. He says it will open the whole question of New Zealand's connection with Great Britain, a question which soon will be forced upon our attention, unless we take time by the forelock and look well to our position. The committee appointed on the Tricker case have not as yet effected any great good. They waited on the Hon. Mr Gisborne, who informed them that he could do nothing in the matter and say nothing till the return of other Ministers.^.. The members of the Volunteer riHes and artillery gave a theatrical performance here two nights ago, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to prizes for rifle matches. As yet it is unknown how many candidates for the Colonial prizes this Province supplies. One company in "Wellington, the No. 1 Bifles, contributes three. Have I told you of a horrible piece of savagery lately committed in Wellington ? A young gazelle was brought from Panama about three years ago and given to Dr Featherston. Latterly it has not been taken care of, and became a little wild; one or two people passing near it were rushed, and slightly hurt, and so the poor animal has been shot. I don't think a similar piece of barbarism would have been committed in any other Province. Any acclimatization society in the Colony would have been glad of the animal. The construction of the new Government House is progressing now very favorably; still I scarcely think it possible for it to be finished before the meeting of Parliament.