LATEST WELLINGTON NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume 2611, Issue 2611, 6 April 1889, Page 2

LATEST WELLINGTON NEWS.

(liV TELKOII.rnI. —PHKSS ASSOCIATION). Wiii.UN'GTON, Friday. The city poor rite struck by the City Clonal will be 2A<i instead of 4d as hitherto, owing to reduction in the expenditure. The Council have taken steps against the remission of rates except in cases allowed by law, and refused applications from St. Patrick's College and other bodies. Mr Wakefield, formerly M.H.R., and now editor of the Evening Press, is about to visit England and the Continent in conjunction with Count D'Abbans. He has been engaged in the production of a book on New Zealand, which is to be published in Paris and elsewhere. Mr Wakefield also takes Home with him a novel founded on incidents in colonial life. It is understood he has not severed his connection with the Press, The contractor who is now at work on the last section of the Te Ai o reclamation has sent in a claim to the City Council for extra payment on the ground of much additional work which has been iuvolved by defects in the specifications, the greater depth of mud .than was expected, and the concrete of the wall much more expensive in consequence. The Council decided to obtain a report from Mr Loughrey, ex-city engineer, on the subject. Ministers deny positively that the portfolio of education has been olTered to the Auckland member, as stated iu Auckland. On tho contrary, it is probable it will not bo tilled at nil by a new man, and that the number of paid members will be reduced to six in consonance with the reduction in the members of Parliament.