WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9089, 28 April 1890, Page 5

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

[By Teleokaph.l [FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON, April 27. FREIGHT ON FLAX. A reduction of freight is announced on the part of the two direct Companies, to 90s for steam freight and 80s for sailing. This is a reduction on the steam freight in your editorial review of the trade the other day, but an increase on the sailing freight, which you placed at 70s. MB FBANKLAND’s RETIREMENT. Mr H. D. Bell, writing in one of the evening papers d propos of Mr Frankland's retirement, defends the Government from the charge of cheeseparing in the matter. Mr Bell explains that it is a question for the policy-holders, not the Government. If the policy-holders wish that a larger salary should be given to Mr Franklaad, they should, Mr Bell reminds them, take steps to inform the Government to that effect before Parliament meets. His contention is that men of Mr Frankland’s exceptional mathematical and actuarial powers, in the Old Country and in some offices m Australasia, command very much larger salaries than Mr Frankland is getting. That gentleman, Mr Bell concludes, cannot bo replaced adequately for less than two thousand a year. His advice to the policy-holders is to try and save money by retaining him for something between that sum and his present salary of JISOO. Mr Prankland, it is said (not inMr Bell's letter, bicn entendv), would be willing to accept some such encouragement. I hear, however, that he is leaving because he hopes in the larger field to rise considerably higher having first-rate abilities—than the top of the tree ho is on here. I hear also that Mr Richardson, of the department, is regarded as quite competent to take his place. In the matter of raising a salary to the dimensions recommended by Mr Bell, the difficulty that would put the Government into is,,as far as I can ascertain, generally recognised. ,C LA GRIPPE.” Among the victims of “la grippe ” I observe the Hon E. Richardson, who is suffering from a very severe attack. The malady having seised most of his family, has fastened on to the hen gentleman, in hard earnest. lam afraid his projected visit to his constituents will .have to be postponed in consequence. A PUZZLE. Mr Courtney, lecturer, immigration agent, commission agent, &c., is rather before the public just now in consequence of jfltjictbing that came out before the. Sweating Commission, of which, I understand, you have had particulars. It seems to be understood that Mr Courtney thrives upon his former connection with the Government of the Colony, but, as he has never specifically claimed of late years to bo connected with the Colony, the Government are a little puzzled what to do about him.