WELLINGTON.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5279, 13 January 1879, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

I FROM OTJR OWN CORRESPONDENT.! January Bth, 1879. Politically all is dull 1 . 1 Ministers are disporting themselves in various parts of the country, trying everywhere to buy themselves political support by innumerable promises of railroads, bridges, protection from floods, and a lavish expenditure in every part. The Hon. J. Sheehan came back from his trip to Rewi, as empty handed as he went, he talked much, but accomplished nothing, and he did not demand possession of a Maori murderer. He is ever travelling about, even gossiping with the natives, ; people anxiously expect great things ; but those great things never come. The Hon. Mr Ballance, Mr Macandrew, and the Hon. Mr Fisher are at present carrying on the public business in Wellington. The anti-Chinese immigration agitation is still active. A very good committee has been got together, and there is little doubt that a monster petition will be forwarded to Parliament. The committee hope that similar committees will be formed in other parts of the colony, and that these committees will really work and will get signatures from every part of the colony. It is hoped that threefourths of the adult population, both male and female, will be induced to sign this, and to obtain signatures no stone should be left unturned.. A sub-com-mittee is formed to find money in aid of the seamen on strike in Australia. For some time past the weather has been very hot, but happily the hot days are very few, indeed it is rarely that there are more than three or four consecutive days of hot weather. The winds are very boisterous, but rain falls frequently. In civic affairs all is dull. The Mayor and Councillors work affably and unitedly. The streets are being steadily improved, .many are kerbed and flagged with cement blocks, wooden crossings are made at many street junctions, and in other ways the city is being rendered more habitable. The proposed new system of sewerage is, however, still "hung up." Councillors are still debating as to the course to be pursued, and opinions are much divided. The fact is most of them have no real opinions on the matter and don't know what to do. They have called in the aid of many engineers, but as these experts

have given startlingly various opinions the Councillors are more than ever confused. Meanwhile nothing is done, and apparently there is not the smallest prospect of anything being done for an indefinite time. , Happiiy the city is now abundantly supplied with water. There is great tightness in the money market ; the banks are drawing in, and there is a widespread 'belief that several firms might smash at any moment. Money can be invested at 9 and 10 per cent, on really excellent security. ; The people of Wellington are very anxious to have the railway station put near the wharf, in the centre of the town, but Ministers ; are anxious to have it on the outskirts. A crowded and enthusiastic meeting resolved that a deputation be sent to the Public Works Minister to ask him to reserve certain blocks of land in the centre of the city. He very ungraciously half promised to accede to their wishes, and said he might do so if necessary. Immediately afterwards it was announced that these blocks were not reserved, but some land further distant would be chosen as the site of the new railway station. This station, however, is only for passengers ; the goods station is to be quite on the outskirts of the town. This proceeding of Ministers seems wholly tmwise, there is ample land for a central station, but Mr Macandrew cares nothing for this province. or for the wishes of the people. Mr Barton, M.H.R., took an active part in the deputation and made himself still more unpopular by a silly exhibition of petty anger and obstructiveness. Mr Rignold, the actor, who plays "Henry V." and "Amos Clarke" is a remarkably handsome man and a really first-class actor. His pieces are put on in ■ a, style which has never before been attempted in Wellington. At the pantomime " Snow White," some very bitter things are said against Sir George Grey and the Ministry, and these have been enthusiastically applauded.