WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9321, 26 March 1889, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[BY TELEGRAPH. — OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS. The Hon. Mr. Stevens and the Hon. Mr. Fergus, Defence Ministers will leave here to-morrow for Auckland. The rumours which have been in circulation lend some political significance to their visit to the Northern Capital, but this visit is by no means a sudden movement. It was projected many weeks ago, and has reference to official business. It is publicly stated here that the object of it is to consult with Sir F. Whitaker, the Attorney-General, on the same Ministerial matter that caused the Hon. Mr. Fisher's hurried journey last week, but there is no further information as to what the matter is. Mr. Fergus is going to Auckland for the usual inspection of his department, and the Hon. Mr. Stevens will be engaged on matters which belong to the Colonial Secretary's Department, the Hon. Mr. Hislop not being able to leave Wellington at present owing to the pressure of public business.

commercial. The telegrams received to-day relating to the intentions of tho Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company to enlarge and extend the frozen meat trade, in view of the probable opposition of the Imperial and Colonial Trading Company, of Liverpool, have occasioned a good deal of curiosity, so far as this port is concerned. The news is regarded as of great consequence, but Wellington, however important as a central depot, is not the whole colony, and you have already been informed that those in the South and in the North, upon whom the shipping companies will depend for their business, namely, the agricultural and dairy producers, are asking about the rates of freight and the extent of accommodation. There is a curious addition to the telegrams in a reference to the subject, by the morning paper here, which would speak with more or less authority. I will quote it for the sake of absolute correctness:—" It is within the range of possibility that should these firms find that they are in any way not making a fair profit out of carrying meat to England they may try foreign markets, such as China, and India, and Japan." This extension of trade, whether to China, India, or Japan, is pleasant to think of. But there are people here who regard it as a covert suggestion to the exporter to beware of falling between two stools. In commercial matters there also appears to be a very narrow spirit prevalent in some quarters. Here is a proof of it, if proof were wanting. The Union Steamship Company has decided to put on the Mawnera to trade with the Islands, making Auckland a port of call ; but this is not at all to the minds of some who refer to it thus : —"lt might be worth tho consideration of the Union Company whether tho time has not arrived when it would pay to establish absolutely direct communication between Welling ten and the Islands." THE CANTERBURY RUNS. It has been definitely decided that the leases of the Canterbury runs will be put up for sale on the following days, viz., those south of Rangitata on the 30th of May, at Timaru ; those north of that river on the 6th of June following, at Christchurch. VISITORS. Mr. Gustav Von der Heyde, well-known in Auckland, and the Rev. C. Spurgeon, brother of the Rev. T. Spurgeon, of Auckland, arrived here from England by the s.s. Aorangi. The latter goes to Auckland by the first boat. FIRE. The business premises of Solomon Levy, late a clothier carrying on business in Queen-street, Auckland, were burned down yesterday morning. The shop and fittings were insured in the Phcenix for £800. Levy states his loss at £200.