WELLINGTON NOTES

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7158, 20 September 1888, Page 5

WELLINGTON NOTES

[BST T-tiES-AP-.j

{from oub corrbsponde»t.]

WELLINGTON, September 19

1 believe I am warranted in stating that the Government have virtually decided to increase the salary to be offered to the Chief Commission* of Railways to £3000, as it is now recognised to be bopeless «xr pec—ng to obtain a really first-—ass man for £2500. There is reason to believe that for <g3GQQ,a very good man cap be pro* cured in England by private negotiation. This will, if possible, be effected.

Mr Mitchelson returned to fawn this morning by the s,s. Uoior—a. after h—> visit to _ucfc—s.nd. A Cabinet meeting was held during the day, at which all the Ministers now in Wellington were present. It is stated that Mr Taiwhanga, M.H.E., has resolved to take no part in Parli_mentg—f obstruction next session, &nd, in fact, to preserve silence altogether hi the Honse. He states that he .despairs of obtaining justice f.">r his race from the present House, and has therefore determined to give a silent vote on. all questions for the future, and to push forward his law suits, and, if necessary, carry them on appeal to England, where he has more hope of influencing the authorities. Everybody will hope that this is a true report. Seven long-sentenced' prisoners who arrived from Napier by the Wairarapa on, Sunday, were sent on to Taranaki by tne Wanaka last evening in charge of Mr P. S. Garvey, Governor of the Weilington and Terrace Gaols, and Warder Coy le. The men are to be employed on the breakwater at New Plymouth. I believeother prison labor will shortly be fought to bear on this work.

It appears that the A&mmi Govern* ment have offered a subsidy of dlQOOior the last year of the exist—ig San Francisco contract. This new and uninvited liberality on the part of the United States Government is to be due to a fear lest otherwise the Taneouver service should supersede the San Franckco line- The pffer has been accepted by the New Zealand Government. Jt only applies, of course, to the current year, after which fresh arrangements would have to be made if a, Californian mail service were to be continued.

The Government have an interesting report from Mr Kirk on 4 new cabbage blight, which was brought under the notice of Mr Ormond, M.BLE, Mr Kirk states that an effective remedy for the pest (which attacks the underside of the cabbage leaves, and i 3 excessively destructive) will be Lund in the free use of lime.