WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7319, 4 February 1902, Page 1

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

[From Ottr Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Feb. 3,

We are in a ferment here over the big tramway contracts that are looming so near. A party has dared to determine that this great occasion must be utilised for the advancement of tho " direct labour " system, with a minimum wage, as -against tha contract system. • The Conservative clement, seeing the Trades Council given over to the new view, and the new local branch of the Socialistic Party much interested in making the running, asks, with an air of moderate wisdom, why nob wait for a less important occasion for the launching of your principle? Tlie suggestion is met, as you may .imagine, by laughter on the other side. Tlie interest of the point lies in the fact that in the laughter, those who tako the trouble can recognise the voice of Thomas Mann, of that ilk. It reminds me that a growing opinion here regards the said new arrival as a certain candidate for Wellington in November next. Mr Hutcheson, it is an open secret, will not seek reelection, and Mr Atkinson has ijofc played his South African card with'Vjudgment equal to the acuteness of ills game,; so that on the whole the way for a new-jcandidate of the ordinary pattern is clear') and Mr Mann is a good, deal above the ordinary pattern. It i. significant .hat everyday he is to be seen enjoying the company /"of the labour fraternity. Coming events -.ptuSt their shadows before, and in this. tease in the shape -bf a trim figure in irreproachable grey : tweed, with pleasant expression, and a waxed moustache und.r a jaunty straw hat. He has already .commenced to address meetings, and has taken the wharf labourers in hand, with advice to affiliate with the Dockers' Union at Home^. Remarks were painful and free this morning, but Mr Mann was equal to the occasion, with the support of Mr Andrew Collins, who cried, "shame," declaring that he was very differently treated -When he addressed " thousands, not hundreds;" ih London. '

Inspector 'Pender was not forgotten today by the Chief Justice, as the iollowing report in the "Post" will show :—Addressing the grand jury, at the Supreme Couit. this morning, the Chief Justice said he had noticed from the public Press that, in consequence of the new regulations" under the Police Act, the Inspector, of this district. Mr Pender, would retire - ; in. about two months. He thought that when he was dealing with the criminal business, it was only due to a public servant like Mr Pander to take notice of hi§ retii\_meiit. He knew Mr Pender had served his country and the people of this colony well. He entered the police force in Ireland abodt fiftysix years ago, while quite a youth. He then joined the Army, and did good service in the Crimea. He was in Victoria in stirring times, stnd some forty years ago came to this colony to do police duty in Canterbury. His Honor went on to say he knew personally the great services Mr Pender had rendered, and he could say of his own knowledge that no one in the public service had had a higher sense of duty, or more faithfully and impartially performed his work. He felt sure that on his retirement into private life, Mr Pender would cairry with him' the good wishes of all gocd citizens. Police officers who were fearless and impartial in the 'discharge of their duties, and guided by commonsense, were of immense service to a community, and had much to do with ths maintenance of public prevention of*cr&new*«rw • ■■