WELLINGTON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 233, 30 September 1881, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(Frem oar own correspondent.) [By Telegraph.] Thursday night. Great excitement was created this afternoon by iti bscoming geswrally known .that sine* midday it had been suddenly resolrtd in Cabinet that the Premier's departure for the South should be postponed, and that Captain Jtirchild had received orders to hare th« Sttlla in waiting to convey Mr Hall and Major Atkinson at oaca to Opunake. The Hioemoa left at three o'clock with Mrs and Miss Hall, but not the Premier, and this confirmed the general opinion that something very serious had oconrred at the front calling for the presence of the Premier and Treasurer. It waa currently reported that shots bad beon fired, blood betn shed, and that a rising of the Natives was imminent, but lam antkoritatiTely assured that all this alarm and excitement are quite basaleai. It was deemed necessary that a consultation with Mr Rollsston should take placa relative to certain affairs of State, and the only question was whether he could come down or whether the others most go up. Mr Rolleston waa telegraphed to several times during the afternoon, and up to 6 o'clock it was hoped that he would ba able to come, in which case the Stella would have been sent up for aim, but she was unable to leave just now so Messrs Hall and Atkinson went off in the Stella about 8 o'clock to-night. The precise object of the Ministerial consultation which is considered so necessary as to call for thii sadden change of plane has not been allowed to trantpire, but I have the distinct assurance of Ministers that it does not relate to any change in tha position of Native affairs. The situation in that respect remains absolutely unchanged. No fresh development has occurred, and no news of any importance has been received. Whatever the reason of this hurried expedition, it is nothing of this kind. The explanation givan is that Ministers desire to consult Mr Eolleaton. Messrs Hall and Atkinson are expected to return to Wellington in. two or threa days ; meanwhile Mr Johnston remains in sole charge of the Government. Th * Day, 3 pm. No explanation has yet transpired as to the sudden departure of Messrs Hall and Atkinson by the Stella last night for Opnnake, and their arrival ia not jet reported. Various devices hare been broached to account for this hasty movement, one rumor being that it relates to the Ministerial vacancy, the story being that the portfolio iB partly promised to Mr Wakefleld, but that Mr Rolleston threatens to resign if it is given, and lhatMrWakeßeld,beingthreatened with a powerful opposition at Geraldine, has strenuously urged his claim, as he might, if a Minister, successfully contest the district, wherefore a personal consultation with Mr Rolleston is necessary. I merely give this rumor for what it ia worth, but no other feasible explanation is yet offered of Metars Hall and Atkinson's mysterious departure. There is no fresh native news.