WELLINGTON NEWS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 12265, 11 October 1902, Page 2

WELLINGTON NEWS.

Bt Teleobape—Special to Hebald, Wellington, Friday.

Beyond the fact that Messrs Kinsey, Barnes and Co, of Chriotohnrch, are representatives of the company that has secured the contract (or the New Zea-land-South African service, nothing has so far been allowed to transpire regarding the personnel of the syndicate, Mr Kinsey has been in Wellington (or some time, negotiating with the Government in connection with the contract. To-night’s Post, referring to the mysterious company, says: large class ef country producers who are concerned in the early development of trade with i-outh Africa ate not likely to be gratified at the remarkable silence tint is preserved as to the status and resources of the company that has secured the contract. The New Zealand and African Company mast be a registered corporation, and it so the Government ought to be aware of the contents of its memorandum and articles of association, the names of its directors, the amount of its paid-up capita), and its contributory liability. Those would be the first guarantees, one would suppose, th« Government would require of the liability of the successful tenderers to catty out the contract, and if they have been given why may they not be disclosed? We have made inquiry in every direction where information is likely to be procurable, and I have elicited nothing tangible or satisfactory beyond the assurance of one prominent business man that the unknown company ie a financially strong concern, that will be found fully equal to its obligation. The Acting-Premier and other official representatives are reticent, and in local shipping circles the general statement may bo summed up thus: ‘We know nothing of the company, and suppose it is a syndicate.” Very little interest is being taken is general election here so far. The Hon. T. W. Hisiop, a former member and a Minister in Sir Harry Atkinson’s Cabinet, is a candidate far the new suburban constituency of Newtown, and his chances of election are particularly rosy. Be would be an acquisition is the new Parliament. For the City, Messrs Dnthio, Atkinson, and Fisher are at present the favorite candidates. Mr P. T, Moore states that he contest the Hutt seat against Mr mD ford. Tho Wellington Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners this morning attached the names of 267 employers of the Wellington industrial district to the dispute which has been filed by tho Builders and Contractors Union of