LATEST WELLINGTON NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2219, 28 September 1886, Page 2

LATEST WELLINGTON NEWS.

[BY TKLEG»AI»H— PRKSS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Monday. The three Wellington papers are unanimous in condemning the action of the Cable Company. The two evening papers approve of the proposal, but the morning paper does not express any opinion as to what ought to be done. The Evening Press takea the opportunity of Sir J. Vogel withdrawing his action to say "Under these circumstances we may, without fear of misconstruction being placed on our motive, repeat that we nevor intended to make any imputation on Sir J. Vogel's character or honour in relation to the matter discussed in our article. A deputation of the Chamber of Commerce waited on Sir J. Vogel to-day. Mr Travers, chairman, explained, they were anxious to know what course is likely to be taken with regard to the cable rates. Sir J. Vogel entered at length into the whole question and detailed tho steps taken on both sides as already published. He mentioned they had three tenders last year for laying a new cable, the lowest being €170,000. He explained the clauses of the contract bearing on the position, and though lawyers might possibly meet the clause in favour of the company, he did not think there could be any doubt about clause 3, which concerned terminal charges. The company have been well treated by the colony, and if they carried out their threat, wo should have a right to take advantage of the contract. The Government were firm in their intention not to yield. If the rates wore raised they would ask authority to Jay a new cable, which C'iuM be done in a year. Ho had communicated with New South Wales regarding m.iktng pre^s mess;t£es on the land line .is low as possible, and lie did not think India would view with indifference the action of the, company. The deputation thanked Sir J. Vogel and withdrew. The Government ha\e granted permission to exhume the body of Captain Cain, Hall's father-in-law, notwithstanding the opposition of Mrs Hall, who is favourable to her husband. It is also expected that an application will be nude to exhume the body of Mr Tato, a former partner of Hall's. Cowper's sawmill, at Gladstone, was burned down to thegiound ye^terdy morning. The origion is unknown. The damacre is £200 over the insurance. On Saturday afternoon a distressing fatal accident occurred at the sawmill imr township, in Wairarapit. A lad named Alfred Water.son, aged 13 years, youngest son of Mr J. Watterson was engaged assisting one of his brothers in erecting a wire fence. His brother had put the straining post in the hole, and asked the lad Alfred to hold it. The post slipped and in falling struck Alfred on the left temple. The blow knocked him down with the back of his head on the sharp edge of a stump of titree, smashing it in. The boy lived ten minutes after the accident. It is expected that the criminal sessions of the Supreme Court, which commenced on Monday, will occupy three or four weeks, as several of the cases, including that against Te Whiti, will occupy three days. The Evening Post has received a cablegram from Port Darwin, from four Wellington residents who left for Kimberley, as follows: — "Kentish Lass passengers returning : field a duffer." A couple of letters published this evening from Kimberley also state that the field is bad, and advise people not to go there. The Government Insurance Association will be taken over by the Government on th« Ist prox. Mr Franklin, the sictuary, will act as Under-Secretary.