WELLINGTON.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3922, 2 June 1877, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

(FROSI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) May 30, 1877. The principal features of the week have been the Governor's leve"e on the Queen's Birthday, which was followed by a State banquet and the unveiling of Dr Featherston's bust. Last year there arrived from Italy two sculptors, Signor Vescovo and Signor Sani. They were induced to come to New Zealand by some English persons travelling in Italy, who were friends or relatives of a Hawke's Bay runholder. They reached Wellington about the same time as the news of Dr. Featherston's death. Many of Ids friends were anxious to have some permanent remembrance of him. Subscriptions were collected, and the Italian sculptors forthwith set to work. They found very good clay in the adjacent hills. All that they had to guide them in their, work was a portrait in oil by Mr Beetham, of the Hutt, and some photographs. From these scanty data they have sculptured an excellent likeness. It was a work of many months, and is worthy of the skill of the workers. It is placed at the entrance of the Colonial Museum, but not iv a good position, for the light does not fall upon it. The longer one looks at the statue the more one is fascinated by it, and the more fully does one realise its elaborate truthfulness. Old Hawke's Bay settlers who visit Wellington should certainty see this bust. It will recall to mind the old days when he was their Superintendent. How times have changed since their rebellion from Wellington authority was scornfully characterised as a "tempest in a teapot !" The statue cost £200, or thereabouts. When looking at it one cannot help regret- . ting that Sir Donald M'Lean did not sit for his statue. Miss Featherston unveiled her father's statue, and Mr Brandon returned thanks on behalf of her and her sisters. The two sculptors, Vescovo and Sani, have also carved likenesses in marble of two Wellington residents. They leave very shortly for Melbourne, to begin the great statue of O'Connell, for which they were the successful competitors. This statue alone will occupy them for a couple of years ; the price will be £2000. Parliament will not meet till the 20th July. The lateness in commencing is synonymous with its shortening, and will keep much money out of the pockets of the Wellingtonians. Sir Julius Yogel, no longer worked almost to death, and freed from the fierce and unwarrantable attacks of an unscrupulous Opposition, and the vulgar scurrility of a section of the press, has almost entirely regained his health. He is reported to enjoy better health and spirits than he has done for years past. I He looks younger and more vigorous. The forthcoming volume of the " Trans- ; actions of the New Zealand Institute " will be published next week. It is very bulky, containing about 800 pages, and it has been found necessary to omit all mention of the proceedings of the different societies. The hollow ground around the new Government buildings has been filled in, and the whole is surrounded by a fence. No building can be erected close to it, thereby lessening the chance of fires. The building looks very well now that it is finished ; but though its internal appearance strikes one as being very compact and workmanlike, yet there is a strong feeling that the corridors and stairs are of wearying size, and, therefore, very inconvenient. The ratepayers have decided that Climie's scheme of sewering the city shall be adopted. At least, three years must elapse, ere the greater part of the city will be efficiently sewered. First a large long tunnel with ventilating shafts, and a pump and all its machinery set in order ere a single sewer can be used. Ten years hence the question will be answered. " Was it wise to adopt this scheme 'I" Political rumors are beginning to crowd the air. Nearly all are utterly unfounded, because at present the Ministry have not circulated the new Bills, and the Opposition have not decided upon a plan of action. The rain has been almost incessant during the past week ; it has poured for days, and happily, though, so damp, it has been warm. The report that Bishop Hadfield would discuss teetotalism on a public platform is unfounded. His lordship said he should not mind discussing some of Mr Fox's extravagant tenets before a learned audience. Clever man as he is, he knows too well his position as a bishop to degrade his office by stump oratory. Mr Fox was much improved by his trip home. In England he met many able men with views like his own, but more liberal contact with these has widened his views and destroyed much of his narrow minded abhorrence of even slight indulgence in alcoholism.