WELLINGTON NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 76, 2 April 1897, Page 3

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(bt teleobaph.— own correspondent. )

Wellington, this day, THE SUBURBS ELECTION.

The position of affairs as to the selection of an Opposition candidate for the Wellington Suburbs seat remains practically the same as ib was a day or two ago. It appears that Mr A. R. Atkinson waa only asked to submit himself as a probabla candidate two days ago, and, indeed, the Opposition seem to have been wasting their opportunities during the laet week.

A quesbion affecting the anonymity of writers bo the press has arisen in connection with a lebker advertisemenb appearing in the " Hutb and Petone Chronicle " calling upon Mr Wilson to reply categorically to the questions — (1) Whether about two years ago he wrote articles at a sweating rate for the " Marlborough Express," and (2) whether he was the author of an article appearing in thab paper entitled "Journalism a la MeKenzie." Very little can be said in praise of the use of such tactics as these, or of the party that descends to use them. Respecting the statements made in the "Chronicle," Mr Wilson has received the following telegram :—•• Charles Wilson, editor " Mail," Wellington : To the statement made by tbe Pebone ' Chronicle ' thab Mr Wilson has written an article in tho ' Express ' abusive of the presenb Government I give an emphatic denial. He has never either writben or inspired any such articles,— (Signed.) Jamks Furness, proprietor and edibor of tbe ' Marlborough Express,' Blenheim." JUVENILE CRIME. Juvenile crime appears to be on the increase here. Hardly a week passes without two or three small boys under 14 years of age appearing before the Magistrate. Four boys, whose ages ranged from 11 to 13, were yesterday charged with thefb. THE WELLINGTON HOSPITAL. Subscriptions amounting to £231 have been collected tor tho new operating theatre ab the Wellington Hospital. STOATS AND WEASELS. As the whole of the breeding pheasants in Karon district (near Wellington) have recently been destroyed by stoats, the Acclimatisation Society here is agitating for the destruction of stoats and weasels in districts not affected by rabbits. LORD GLASGOW. Lord Glasgow, ib is stated, is to .be created a Baron of the United Kingdom m order to give him a soafc in the Houee of Lords. THE HI NEMO A. Southern members will, after all, nob come up by the Hinemoa, bub with the Te Anau on Monday. The Hinemoa has been despatched to Westport to bring to Wellington a railway engine damaged at the recent fire there, and also a quantity of railway sleepers. INSPECTION OF MACHINERY. Owing to the largo increase of machinery in Canterbury, Nelson and Marlborough the Government has decided to appoint an additional inspector of machinery, who will confine his attention to those districts. SOAMES ISLAND LIGHT. It will ba remembered that tho necessity lor nn improved and more powerful liphw on Soaniea Island was insisted on by Lord Brassey on the occasion of his recent visib to Wellington. The Minister of Marine haß had a reporb prepared by the marine engineer, who does nob advise strongbhoning the presenb lighb, as nothing would be gained thereby, bub recommends that nn additional loading or guiding lighb ebould be provided. MISCELLANEOUS. The s.s. Tutanekai will call ab New Plymoubh to tatso on board tho ActingGovornor, Chief Jusbice Prenderga&b, who is to open Parliament. During the week tho Advances to Settlers Board has authorised aboub 40 loans, amounting to iJ12,000. Mr Moyas, who was chief officer of the ill-fated Wairarapa, has been appointed to a similar position on the Hinemoa. The selection of the Opposition candidate to contest for Wellington Suburbs will be made to-day. Ib ia almost a cerbainty that Mr Atkinson wili'be chosen.