WELLINGTON. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, 16th October, 1868.

North Otago Times, Volume XI, Issue 357, 23 October 1868, Page 2

WELLINGTON. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT .) Wellington, 16th October, 1868.

Parliament is rapidly getting through a multiplicity of work. Bills by the score are being read a third time and passed, and matters are as uninteresting as can be well imagined in the House of Representatives. In the Upper House, however, they woke up the other day, and, if they did not astonish themselves, they have every one else, for they have absolutely thrown out the Roads Board Bill on its second reading, without discussion, on the ground that the session was too far advanced for them to consider it. A similar fate has befallen the Land Drainage Bill and the Otago West Coast Settlement Bill. The reasons whicu actuated the Council with regard to these two last Bills it is impossible to guess. They seem to have been killed simply in caprice ; but the Road Boards Bill probably does frighten landowners, who, if local self-government ever really should be carried out, must have their hinds rated and taxed for local purposes. There may, therefore be strong personal reasons for objecting to the Bill; but courtesy demanded, one would think, that an important Bill, which has occupied the Lower House for a long time, should not have been summturilj- disposed of in the Upper Souse. The resolutions respecting the accounts between the- Imperial and our Colonial Government, have been carried by 10 to 3. You will remember that the settlement of these was announced some months ago with something like a flourish of trumpets ; and no\r the Upper House have carried a resolution in favor of those claims being examined into, as a feeling seems to have gained ground that the Imperial Government was not so very liberal in the matter after all. On Wednesday, the 14th, Mr Clarke's motion that the Government should avail itself of the presence in the Colony of special representatives of the Panama Mail Company, to ascertain if an arrangement could not be made with a view to the speedy termination of tho existing contract, was brought forward for discussion, but after Mr Hall's speech it was withdrawn. He showed that, were the Panama line abandoned, an additional steamer would have to be provided, and an increased subsidy paid for the Suez line, and that the saving in reality would only be L12.000 a-year. He reminded the House of the irregular manner in which the Suez mail service was carried on prior to the establishment of the Panama line, and he pointed to the advantages which must accrue to the Colony from closer communication with America at present— mdvantages which must be still further increased when the Grand Trunk Railway in course of construction shall be completed. His speech, in fact, was a clear statement, absolutely teeming with good solid reasons in favor of the continuance of the Panama Service, and was accepted as such by the House. Mr Kerr and other members acknowledged that, though, they had previously desired the termination of the Panama Contract, the Postmaster-General's speech had compelled them to alter their views on the question j and, so completely was the House convinced bj it, that the motion was withdrawn. This certainly is no small triumph for Mr Hall. Immediately after the discussion the Premier made a statement which will be heard with regret by every unprejudiced well-wisher of the Colony, namely, that Mr Hull's ill-health will compel him at the close of the session to retire temporarily from the cares of Government. Of Mr Hall's ability I am one of those who entertain a high opinion, and ot his absolute passion for hard work there can be no two opinions among those who have had an opportunity of judging for themselves. The duties of Postmaster-General, Telegraph Commissioner, and for a good time those of Colonial Treasurer, have devolved upon him, and have been performed with a thorough efficiency that renders it surprising how one man has done it all. In the Telegraph department wonders have been worked since he took office. Lines have been extended, stations erected, surveys carried on, and above all, the evils of a loose and thoroughly mistaken system of management throughout the whole department have been eradicated. In the Postal Department the work can be no sinecure, while as Treasurer he has prepared the way for the adoption of an entirely new system of accounts, the arrangement of which has involved an immense amount of thought and labor. Among all the long li«t of New Zealand politicians who have earned for themselves a good name, and who have benefited the Colony, none will — in the future if not during the present— 6tand before or be remembered longer than Mr John Hall. For the sake of New Zealand and for his own, I wish him a speedy restoration to health. The question of the removal of the seat of Government has again been brought up and disposed of. Yesterday Mr 0. O'Neill moved that it is expedient that the next session of the Assembly be held in Christchurch, which motion was amended in favor of Nelson and subsequently lost by 22 to 12. During the discussion on the question, the unpleasant odors of our Wellington beach were of course alluded to, and it was rather amusing how the remark brightened up the memories of various members. Mr Stafford alluded to some open drains and savoury scents in Auckland, while others gave experiences of Nelson, Dunedin, and Christchurch. Among the social gossip of the place, is something relating to the editor of the " Wellington Independent," which as far as I have yet heard, sounds very queer. It will be investigated in the Magistrate's Court to-day, and in my ne_xt letter I will give you full particulars. The bare facts of the case are, that a few evening* ago he was in an hotel here — what doing I don't know — but at all events the landlords, who may be presumed to be judges of the matter, wished him out of it. They usked him to leave, and finally thrust him out. Lame actions for aggravated assault are the result, while yesterday a criminal prosecution was talked of. Nice affair for a man who should be a gentleman to be mixed up with. An extraordinary meeting of the shareholders of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company was held on Wednesday last, when it was decided not to attempt to raise the s.s. Taranaki, which you may remember was wrecked in Tory Channel, a few weeks ago, but to sell her as she now lies. On Monday last a rather hurriedly gathered meeting was held here, when addresses to the Bishop of Wellington were passed. The rev. gentleman is about to visit England and during a somewhat lengthy administration of church affairs here, gained the affection and esteem of all classes and sects. News from the East Coast inform us that the Chatham Island ex-prisoners are quietly located at Puketapu, growing potatoes, &c. Sanguine people imagine, therefore, that they have no intention of doing any more fighting, but such are wonderfully forgetful of Maori customs. Of course they want to sow and reap for a little j and then for utu. Who in their senses will believe that the flower of the northern fighting men are going to settle down quietly after having been carried away as prisoners ? From the West Coast there is little, but that little is diabolical. Some kegs which were in transitu between Tito Eowaru's camp jvnd the Waikaito, were intercepted the other day by some Government official. They were found to contain potted meat made from the flesh of some of the poor fellowt killed at Te Ngutu o to Manu. The kegs were accompanied by a letter explaining their contents, aud calling on the Waikatos to join Tito Kowaru. By-the-bye, have you heard that the capitation allowance to Volunteers is to be reduced one-half. Affairs (Provinsial) in Wellington are decidedly queer. . Officials are being discharged right and left. The Treasurer has no money, and doesn't know where any is coming from. IFoley's Juvenile Troupe are performing here with much flourish of trumpets, and to thin houses.

The Victorian Acclimatisation Society have just received two rooks by the ship Norfolk, from London. Two dozen were orignally shipped, of whiih the two received are the sole survivors.