WELLINGTON.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 689, 26 July 1870, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) July 19. The debate on the Financial Statement still drags on. By this time nearly every speaker of note in the House has delivered himself oraculary on this question of everything for everybody. It has been amusing to notice how the utterances, inside the House, of certain members have been particularly mild versions of what they said outside,. In the latter case, being off duty, said what they liked, and pe.f haps what they thought of the principles and the methods of giving effect tip them, now before the House. BuljJm the other they have spoken under a lively sense of election contests to come, and an evident desire to compromise. To hear some in the lobbies and in private you would have thought that the Opposition would have pressed immediately for a division, but in the House they agree "with the principles enunciated and will gladly assist the Government in moulding the proposals into a suitable form for giving effect to those principles." Well, of course, no sane man in the colony thinks otherwise than that immigration, roads, bridges, and improved means of communication are desirable. Few think that these should be other than colonial works ; and, as regards the " moulding " that may be anything. It may mean such an alteration in the present proposals that if Mr Vogel adheres to his word the Government would reject it—and it may mean mere modification of detail. I have carefully listened throughout the debate to what has been said and have been disappointed to see so many men who, we might have expected to say something definite about the "proposals" evidently afraid, to speak their minds. I believe, from all I can learn, that the real fight over the matter will come off when the resolutions are considered seriatim, or on the hustings. Some dissatisfaction is expressed at the withholding, for so long any steps on the question of the Representation. But I think Mr;, Fox's assurance, that if the House come to an adverse vote on the time should be given for the consideration of this question before a dissolution should take place. Mr Blackett, the manager of the Tasmanian and Victorian Submarine Telegraph Company, has been here to open negotiations with our Government on the question of telegraphic communication with Australia. "What his plans are, or were, I have not heard, but I have heard that he has signally failed. We shall soon learn decidedly all that has been done about the Million Loan, and how|thepresent schemes may affect that, and our credit at home. The English Commissioners are to leave England about this time, and may be expected here in about six weeks. I confess to some curiosity on the subject. 1 am also curious to know how much the Imperial guarantee will have cost us and how much of the million will really be available for the purposes for which it was raised. What per centage will our bill of costs amount to. For the last two days Wellington has been made lively by the presence of about 200 Ngatiporas, who arrived in the Luna, on Saturday, from Wanganui and have gone up to Napier and Opotiki this evening by the same steamer. They came looking ragged and miserable, and they go away bedecked in finery, but look all the same a most extraordinary crowd. I went on board the Luna a little before she left, and. had a good laugh at them. Every variety of costume was there. Puring their here they have been investing liberally in outfitters', drapers' and other shopS. Sailors, Jockeys, parsons, country swells, and town "nents " all seem represented. Among the women fantastic shawls and paper flowers made nearly all look picturesque at least. The people got some pay when they came, but, I suspect tbey take only a little away with them. One saddler disposed of 40 saddles and innumerable bridles among them. The debate on Mr M'Gillivray's resolution respecting the relations between the Colony and the Mother

Country will be resumed, and probably completed to-morrow evening. Considering that the Imperial Government are just practically admitting that they have not done their duty by us, and are therefore about to guarantee a loan, I don't well see what result is to be gained by the motion. Rumour says that the Financial debate will be brought to a close tomorrow or Thursday, but I don't think it will be so soon. The small fry have to try to get their names up, and, at the commencement, Mr Vogel bargained for one night to reply, so that I don't think this week will see the debate finished. I am glad to be able to tell you that the Captain of the p.s. Luna reports that the newly erected light at Cape Campbell burns " most beautifully." Mr Hendall, from the Maua Island light has been appointed head lighthouse keeper. The Luna brought back Mr S. Wakeford, the engineer, who fitted up the lighting apparatus.