WELLINGTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 29, 2 December 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

[FROM OUK OWN COBBESPONMIEXT.] PAHLIAaiENTAItT. Our legislators are now making better progress with the business of the Country, and it is hoped that the session may be brought to a close by about the middle of December. The consideration of the estimates bus already been commenced and taken up with a will, as almost one-half of the services chargeable on the Consolidated fund have been paßsed. Of course the estimates ,of the Publio -Works fund .have not yet bpen submitted, but ..they will no doubt accompany the Publio; JWprks Statement, which will probably be 1 delivered during next week. With a view to economy, Mr Andrews has moved that the salaries of all officials receiving £200 a year and upwards be reduced by five per cent, nnd the salaries of Miui'.ters. and members' honoraria be reduced by ten per cent. O i this Mr George has moved an amendment to the effect that the number of the civil seryauts be reduced by ten per cent* Ido not think that either the motion or the amendment will be carried, but if either, the amendment appears in every way way preferable. UNEMPLOYED. The " unemployed " agitators who have been set to work on the West Coast Kailway at Kaiwarra have been reduced in pay a shilling a day all round. It is stated that the Government found this step advisable on two grounds, first, of economy, and secondly, to offer iho men no encouragement to stop, for aa the" works were only taken in hand to afford charitable relief, they do not wish to keep up the, present large, gang any longer than is necessary. Much discontent prevails, as you may imagine, and not without somo ground <00, for I bear that the very large number of hands omployed on' cimilar works and in a similar manner, in the South, are still paid full wages, and what is moiv, allowed to work overtime, bo as to further augment iheir earnings. This is scarcely fair. Sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander. GOVERNMENT CONTBAOTS. The reckless extravagance of the late Government , and their anticipation of the loan are matters, the effect of which we are beginning to feel, as the present administration find themselves quite unable to accept tenders for further works until some more satisfactory news is heard with regard to the floating of the loan. Lots of tenders are now in snspeuse, and there they are likely to rorauin for the present, and no new ones are beiug accepted or, at least not if the cos'inf the work. is likely to be very great 'life present scarcity of work for the laboring classes is consequently not likely to be relieved just yet. TE ABO RECLAMATION. The Bill to empower the Corporation to go on with this most desirable work has passed the Lower House, and is now before the Council. The Hon. Mr Waterhoaae has consented to take charge of it, and he (

is likely 'to succeed I i ifVUjfMlff f f through all right. - It will -Wit jpeifflWtotoo Wellington if the Bill becomes law, butaf course its effect will not be seen for a timfc for tho uecessary funds will have to be obtained from London. /,'. j^^V new law cotraTa^r The foundation stone of the new^&ipreme Court Buildings is to be laid on Monday next, by the Hon. the Attorney General with Masonic honors. Our " brethren of tho mystfo tie " are going to make the occasion quite a gala day, following up the ceremonies with a ball in the evening . WELLINGTON OEMETEEY. The unsuitability of our present cemetery site has again attracted attention, bnt j it is difficult to ascertain who is responsible foe the dolay in taking the necessary steps to secure a. better. The JToji. 'Mr Man tell asked a question on the matter in the Legislative Ooupcil a few.avenings since, and he was *old that, the civio authorities were to blame, but' at the City Council meeting last evening, the City Fathers put up their backs at this statement, and charged the government with the. neglect. People aie thinking that it is high time that the bottom of the matter was got at, and surely this would not be very difficult to accomplish, seeing that the Mayor is a member of Parliament. .•, / ; , THE TBAMWAY COMPANy. . , Things are not going well with* the Tram way Company just now. At. a private meeting of discontented shareholders, held a few nights since, it was stated thai; the line and its equipments were sold to the Company for £40.000, and shareholders were led to believe that it had actually cost that.smra, or very nearly, .so,, but it has turned out (as they state) that it only cosfr £27,000,80 that at the very outset, some £13,000 found its way into- >he "pockets of some .lucky individuaL/ Then- the' manage* ment has been very unsatisfactory, and then to make up a large deficit debentures have been issued, and the whole of the Company's property mortgaged to secure the holders of these, who,' for- the most part^it' is stated, are the Company!s own diredtorß.' Evidently a storm is brewing.