WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9244, 22 December 1888, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[BY TELEGRAPH. own correspondent.] Wellington, Friday. THE GRAPE IN NEW ZEALAND.

Amongst the inquiries made of the Hon. Mr. Fisher (Minister of Education) while in Australia were those of Signor Bernacchi, having reference to the North Island generally, but more particularly the country north of Auckland. It is necessary to know something of this gentleman in order to set a correct value upon his inquiries. I am informed that a few years ago Signor Bernacchi took over Maria Island, on the coast of Tasmania, from the Tasmanian Government. It had just then been abandoned as a " penal station," overgrown with weeds, and otherwise practically a desert. Signor Bernacchi brought skilled vignerons from Italy, under whose operations the place has become a most prosperous vineyard, yielding an average profit of several thousands a-year, and so attractive to local capitalists that some of the leading men compete for an interest in it. Tho impression was made upon me (although I am not quite certain that it is correct) that Signor Bernacchi, having conveyed his interest in that enterprise to a company, is in quest of anew field of enterprise ; but this is certain, that he is a capitalist as well as an expert of the greatest knowledge and skill. Tho main drift of his inquiries was as to the growth of the grape. Mr. Fisher informed him that the grape grew out of doors from the North Cape as far South as Lake Wakatipu, but that the best sort, even as a table grape, was grown under glass. The remarks made by Signor Bernacchi will indicate the nature of the conversation between the Minister and his interrogator. They are as follows:—•

" Does the peach grow well in New Zealand? I ask the question because my observation is that in countries where the peach grows well the grape will grow well also. I understand from you that the peach grows luxuriantly throughout tho North Island. Tho efforts that have been made to grow the grape in the north of New Zealand may have been unsuccessful owing to causes other than any defect of climato or soil. It has been stated that vignerons were even imported and turned out badly. It was imputed to anyone who embarked in vine culture that they brought out persons of the lowest class from Europe, in effect persons but little removed from the pauper class. If I were to enter upon any such undertaking in New Zealand it would be an enterprise based upon strictly commercial principles. 1 would pay tho upset price for your land ; I would find my own labour, and I would insist upon getting such facilities for the growth of the industry as would be likely to ensure its success. A demoralised or pauperised class of labourers are not only worthless, but actually injurious to an enterprise of this kind, but what I am afraid of is (judging by the accounts I have received) that you have not in New Zealand the quantity of land necessary to success. A profitable vineyard means a very considerable area of land. Once successfully planted, the profit grows very fast. I should be willing to give tho upset price if you could sell mo enough of it, that is, of course, if upon personal examination I considered' tho site and soil and climate in all respects suitable." VAI,EDICTOTIY. It is the intention of His Excellency tho Governor to go to Auckland for the purpose of taking leave of his friends there. He will not have time to go up for the Christmas holidays, but he will be there for the races which open the New Year.

THE LAST of oasparini. The official correspondence on this subject was forwarded to the Italian Consul in Australia, in compliance with his request that it should be transmitted to Rome, so as to enable the Consul in Australia to give tho fullest information to the Italian Government, to meet any complaint that might be made from the French ViceConsul in Wellington to his Government. Tho Italian Consul writes to Mr. Fisher, the Vice-Consul here :—" I wish to reiterate my full and unqualified approval of every step you took as Italian Consular Agent in Wellington in the course of your duty, and wishin tho limits to which you confined yourself."

RAILWAY excursions. Tho following illustrates the pressure brought to bear on the railway authorities in respect to fares to be paid by excursionists. Remonstrances have been received that the charges have been raised, and that they are still too high. In one case tho charge is (is (id, and the distance to bo travelled is 114 miles. This charge gives little over aid a mile, and would occasion loss to the Railway Department unless covered by more than the possible number of excursionists. BISHOP COWIK AND THE WELLINGTON SYNOD. The Bishop of Auckland writes to Bishop Hadfield, the president of tho Wellington Synod, in reference to the appointment of tho Rev. Mr. Waters to the incumbency of St. Peter's:—"l have not heard Mr. Waters preach, but his sermons are said to be intellectual and interesting. Above all, he is said by his rector to be a really good man. He has a powerful voice; is well read ; is pleasant in manner ; is a thorough gentleman, and a graduate of Oxford. I saw a good deal of him this month, and would gladly institute him to any charge in the diocese of Auckland. If lam at all instrumental in obtaining for St. Peter's such a man as Mr. Waters, I shall indeed be glad for the sake of the diocese, as well us of the parish." a NEWSPAPER museum.

_ The German Consul (Mr. Krull) some time since made a request to the Minister of Education that a collection might be made of newspapers published in New Zealand, to be forwarded to the Newspaper Museum at Aachen. The collection was made and forwarded in due course by the German Consul. It consisted of no less than 172 New Zoaland newspapers. The curator, in acknowledging the receipt of the packet, sends the following from the German newspaper published at Aachen (Aix la Chapelle) : —"The museum is indebted for this splendid and unique collection, for not even in New Zealand does such a complete one exist, to no less a personage than the Hon. Minister for Education, Mr. George Fisher, of Wellington, who has, at the instigation of the Imperial German Consul at Wanganui, Mr. Frederick Augustus Krull, taken tho trouble to order this collection to be made, and ha 3, through the above Consul, kindly forwarded the same, via London, direct to the Museum. The collection consists of not less than 172 newspapers, a number which astounded the hon. Minister himself, as it had not been general"/ known that there were so many newspap* published in New Zealand. This rare and most interesting collection will form one of tr - greatest ornaments of the Newspaper Museum.