WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8196, 6 March 1890, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[BY telegraph.—own correspondent.] Wellington, Wednesday. THE PKBMIKR.

Sir Harry Atkinson will leave Wellington on Monday next for Nelson. He proposes to take a trip through the South Island, commencing at Pic tori, and terminating at Akaroa. This journey '; is \ undertaken mainly for the benefit of his health." It has no political significance, but it is hardly possible to suppose that the Premier will be allowed to travel by a route eo much frequented without having to meet deputations on various matters of public interest. I understand that he had intended at first to go to Lake Taupo, but that his medical attendants thought he had so far made progress towards recovery, that the Southern climate was more likely to." brace him up" and give him the strength necessary to face the work of the coming session. , •

POLITICAL STAGNATION. I '.;;.■■ " ,';. A kind of atrophy has overtaken political intelligence of every kind. About this time of the year we are accustomed to hear what measures the Government intend to bring forward in the ensuing session. .Nothing has been said or even hinted as to the Ministerial programme. : A reporter of the morning paper interviewed Captain Russell upon his trip to the Federation Conference without eliciting anything new.

MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS. 1 ; ' The Hon. E. Mibchelson (native affairs) and the Hon. Mr. Richardson (lands and agriculture) will proceed north on Monday next. They will • visit Napier, Gisborne, and Auckland on business connected with their respective departments.

THE FLAX INDUSTRV. I understand that the flaxmillers aboub Foxton have commenced a movement to bring down ship's ■'■■ freights for - carrying flax. As a result of trie ! movement, they have received overtures 'from shipowners offering to take flax to London at a considerable reduction 'tpoh' freights hitherto charged. ' ' ' THE'SHEEP ACT. The conference of sheep inspectors is still sitting in Government • Buildings. They had before them during the sitting of yesterday a draft of the proposed Act to consolidate the laws hitherto enacted for the prevention and eradication of disease from New Zealand flocks. At this morning's sitting they passed the following important resolution :— "That the number of infected or doubtful sheep in the colony being now very Small, all future cases should be considered as matters of special urgency, and recognising the necessity of eradicating scab in the shortest possible .time, this Conference is of opinion that the officers of the Stock Department should be empowered to deal directly and independently of the' owner with any future outbreak."

.- :•' / . Musro. ": -.;..' ■•■■'* '.'..' Mr. Santley, the celebrated English"bari« tone, arrived this morning from Blenheim. There is great competition to hear him in his first concert. .Me speaks in very favourable terms of Id's visit to the colony. He cannot, seeing the crowds who rush to hear him, understand how there can be any depression in the colony. He is likely to have a. very flattering reception on his journey South.