WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9285, 12 February 1889, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. THE NKW JUDGE. His Honor Mr. Justice Denniston was today sworn in as a judge ot the Supreme Court before Sir James Prendergast, Chief Justice, sitting in chambers. GENERAL SYNOD OF TUB ANGLICAN CHUECH. There is quite a crowd of Anglican clergymen passing through Wellington from various parts of the North Island to Dunedin. Archdeacon Dudley, of St. Sepulchre's, Auckland, occupied the pulpit of St. Paul's pro-Cathedral Church yesterday evening. Arohdeacon Clarke, of Hokianga, occupied the pulpit of St. Peter's. A large number of clergy were passengers by the Te Anau, which sailed South this afternoon. The principal topic here in matters ecclesiastical is the election of Primate in place of Bishop Harper, who retires. Bishop Suter, of Nelson, would succeed by seniority. Bishop Cowie stands next in seniority. It is said that Biahop Suter is not in very good health. The election will be by ballot. There must be a separate majority of the Bishops, the clergy, and the laity (members of the I Synod) to the completion of the election. If this be not the case upon the first ballot a second is taken. If there be not a majority of the several divisions by the second ballot of the Synod the primacy is given to the senior Bishop. It is said that a considerable number of the clergy are favourable to the election of the Bishop of Auckland. THE OFFICE OF ENGINKKR-IN-CHLEF. I am authorised to contradict the statement made by an evening paper that Mr. C. Y. O'Connor had been appointed Engi-neer-in-Chief. This denial is made on the authority of two Cabinet Ministers, nevertheless the same evening paper reiterates the assertion, and declares, upon what it deems "reliable information,' that when the announcement shall have been made Mr. O'Connor will be found to be the new Engineer -in - Chief. There appears some personal element in the contention over this office which I cannot comprehend. Both the officials mentioned have stood high in the public service. Why there should bo a "right" about them I do not know, but in the process of official selection tuo "survival of the fittest" its by no moane a necessary consequence. AUCKLAND LUNATIC ASYLOM. It was stated some days since that the successor of Dr. Cremonini, the medical superintendent of this establishment (resigned) had been appointed. As the result of enquiry made at the Colonial Secretary's to-day, I learn that no appointment to that office has yet been made. DKFKNCK. Mr. Bell and Captain Humfrey, of the Defence Office, left Wellington by the Te Anau this afternoon on a tour of inspection of the fortifications of the colony. In addition to this duty, I learn that Captain Homfrey has instructions to report to the Department upon the condition of the naval companies of volunteers throughout the colony, and to suggest what he considers necessary for their reorganisation upon a permanent footing.

MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS. The Fon. Mr. Hislop returned to Wellington on Saturday by train and coach from Napier and Gisborne.