WELLINGTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7229, 1 May 1884, Page 5

WELLINGTON.

[FROM OTTB OWN COfiBESI'ONDENT.] Trade in Wellington has become miserably dull. All classes of business men are complaining bitterly. Two large importing firms have determined to cease business, and rumour says they will not be the only ones. One reason why traders feel it so much is because the people have grown economical. Each household is now ruled under conditions of the strictest economy. People do not waste their money as they used to do. Women, having little to spend, do not now crowd tho shops. Stocks are too abundant. There seems to be no money in the place. Financially, matters look as gloomy now as they did when the crisis was first felt. Property is almost unsaleable. Bankruptcies are rare, and the shopkeepers make fewer bad debts. Nevertheless, everyone talks very despondingly; and none seem to think that matters will improve for a long while to come. Yet all this is in the face of a great increase in the volume of trade done by the city. The export and import trade is increasing very rapidly, and Wellington is fast assuming that leading position in commerce which its inhabitants have always anticipated it would achieve. The expenditure of money by the Wellington - Manawatu Eailway Company makes the depression far less than it would otherwise have been.

The railway employs a great many hands, and in various other directions there is a continuous and large demand for labourers, but it is believed that this winter many will be thrown out of work. The market is glutted with clerks seeking work, and any employer requiring one is deluged with applications. Some of these unfortunates have been out of work for a long while. The great demand for female servants which recently existed, has now ceased. The session of Parliament used ■to bring some money to Wellington, but now its influence is not recognisable : even the Thorndon traders do not look forwaxd to it with any joyfulness. The lodginghousekeepers are not as cheerful as they used to be just before the session began; so few members of either House now bring their families here for the session.

The Thorndon election is exciting a little more interest. The nomination will take place on May 5, and May 13 is fixed for the poll. The,-three candidates, Messrs Bunny, Dwau, and Newman, and their respective Committees are working hard. All three have pronounced in favour of the Government. It was believed that Mr Bunny would declare himself a strong Oppositionist, and it was currently reported that he had said many things hostile to the Ministry ; however, he has twice announced in public that he will support it if elected. The contest is bslieved to liebetween Messrs Bunny and Newman, but Mr Dwan hopes to slip in between them. This, however, is very unlikely, his candidature is looked upon as a farce; the people believe it is only one of his many amusing jokes. So far the contest has been carried on with the utmost good humour, and the candidates have not indulged in undue criticism. The Evening Post supports Mr Bunny, whilst the New Zealand Times does the same in sober fashion for Dr Newman. Both papers seem to look on Mr Dwan as being out of the hunt. It seems pretty certain that no one else will come forward; and all rumours about possible candidates have died away. Political gossip of any kind is very scarce. Ministers have been much away from Wellington, and, of course, there has been little doing in connection with departmental matters. The Hon Mr Mitchelson is expected back next week ; just now he is travelling somewhere between Stratford and To Awamutu, explor-. ing for himself one of the proposed railway routes. Major Cautley went north yesterday by the Kotorua. No further changes in the Civil Service have been mentioned, probably they will be made when Ministers have re-assembled in Wellington. A good many prominent Wellington citizens have either just left or are about to leave on a trip to the Old Country. Most of these go by the direct steamers. The Hon J. Martin, M.L.C., and his daughters left recently. In the Tongariro will leave Mr C. Eous Marten (late editor of the Post) and Mrs Eous Marten, and Mr George Clifford, of Flaxbourne, in Marlborough. The Bishop of Wellington (Hadfield), who has been seriously ill for some time past, and is now somewhat better, has been advised to take rest and a sea voyage. Accompanied by his wife, he also will depart in the same steamer. He will be away for a few months only. Many other persons are mentioned as being about to follow.

The building trade is not brisk. Veryfew private dwellings are being erected. The walls of St Patrick's College, the foundation stone of which was very recently laid, are beginning to show well above the ground. The contractors are doing the work quickly and well. It will form a very handsome addition to the city. A Life Insurance Company has cleared a site, and has accepted a tender for the erection upon it of a splendid building, which will cost about .£16,000. The painters are fairly busy. Almost all the new houses are of the dark red tint so fashionable at Home. In the next three or four years the city of Wellington will present a very different aspect owing to this fresh oraae. It certainly gives a more solid look to our wooden and galvanised iron buildings. Despite tho expenditure of a clear ,£200,000 on water works, Wellington has been on short supply for several weeks past, and long and loud have boon the murmurs of tho public. However, in less than another fortnight abundance brought in from the now works at Wai-nui-o-mata, though it will be another three months ere tho permanent works will have been completed. The Corporation is certainly not happy in some of its ventures, and notably is this tho case with the le Aro reclamation contract. A frosli suit will be brought at the instance ot Messrs O'Malley and Pepperell, the Ohnstchurch contractors, who wont bankrupt and failed to finish tho work. The damages are laid this time at .£3OOO. On account ot this unfortunate contract tho City Council is defending an action for J3OOOO damages brought against it by O'Malley and Popperell's surety, Mr Corcoran. All three men belong to Canterbury.