WELLINGTON NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8265, 26 May 1890, Page 5

WELLINGTON NOTES.

[BY telegraph.—own correspondent.] Wellington, Saturday.

THE GOVERNOR'S LEVEE. There is a good deal of grumbling here about the Governor's levee, which was held yesterday. Strictly there should be no grumbling, for in matters ceremonial there is no dignity in complaint without substantial reason for it. It is admitted by all that the Governor insists upon the time stated as the time sharp, according to the colonial vernacular. It appears that at two minutes past five o'clock His Excellency left the reception room at Government House, the doors were shut, and some who came late were deprived of the opportunity of being presented. The obvious answer is that they should not have come late. There is another complaint which has more substance. It is this: Tickets for the private entree, were given to a number of second and third rank officials, while members of the Legislature and the House of Representatives were left out in the cold literally. But the fault is one which usually occurs upon the first levee hold by new Governors. His|Excellency and his aide-do-camp or private secretary cannot possibly know who is who in a new country, and there may be negligence for which neither the Governor nor his aide-de-camp is to blame. I can only say there ought to be more pains taken to select the private entree on such occasions. Many considerable persons who should have had the privilege had to go without it; but there is also some contributory negligence on the part of these considerable gentlemen themselves. They either do not care about the mutter, or they do not trouble to make themselves known at Government House; they must not wonder, therefore, if they are less known there than the meanest of their fellow citizens. JUDGES NOTES. There has been some unpleasantness here between Sir James Prendergast, Mr. H. D. Bell, Crown Solicitor, and the Judge's secretary. It is a small matter in itself, but the mysterious way it was referred to by the newspapers last night and this morning made it appear very serious. The facts are, the Judge's secretary refused to give Mr. Bell a copy of the Judge's notes, upon the ground that some account for such matters due by the applicant's firm had not been paid. Mr. H. D. Bell insisted upon having the notes supplied to him, as solicitor for the Crown in the case to which the notes related. The ground of the claim was, that as the Judge's secretary is paid by the Crown, the Crown has a right to a copy of the Judge's notes without payment. The Judge's secretary evidently misapprehended the capacity in which Mr. Bell made the application, and claimed the protection of the Judge, to whom he communicated his own misapprehension. His Honor naturally took the part of his secretary. Warm words were used—indeed, 1 am told that some of the words were red hot. An immediate application was made to the Minister of Justice. The result was that the decision was come to that the Crown has a right to a copy oi the Judge's notes without payment. Tho misapprehension was reverted, everybody discovered he was more or less in error, mutual apologies were made, and the wrath that, boiled over simmered gently away. THE HON. MR. FERGUS,' SPEECH. It would appear from the criticisms made on Mr. Fergus' speech to his constituents that he has said a great deal too much or not enough. It is said by Government supporters that he has let the cat out of the bag, and by their opponents that he might have said a good deal more if he chose. However he did not choose, and for so much his political friends are thankful. As showing how saying too much inconveniences the Government, the Post this evening has a leader headed " The Perpetuation of the Primage Duty," and lays the lash on heavily on account of other shortcomings, real or imaginary. Of course the presumption arises that the Minister of Public Works has made a premature dis- i closure of the intentions of the Government upon some matters not ripe for discussion at present. The Times gives the following account of the probable intentions of the Government as regards the primage duty. The first tax which the Govemmrnt have felt bound to remit is the primage duty which was originally proposed by Sir Harry Atkinson as a specific impost for two years only, to pay off the balance of the old deficit. It is true that the Act was passed by the House without any restriction as to its application, but apart from the fact that the primage duty was levied for a specific purpose, now all but accomplished, the sweeping nature of the tax would indicate it as the impost first to be taken off if it could be spared. From Mr. Fergus' observations it is quite clear that- the Government purpose making this tax as a special provision for additional school buildings and for lunatic asylum extension. , This appears to be a judicious course. Much as a reduction of taxation is to be desired, it is still more desirable to provide thoroughly for the education of the rising generation, and for the due care of those unhappy and helpless beings who, through their own grievous misfortune, must always be a burden upon society. There can hardly be any question as to the urgent necessity of these things. They must be provided, and the alternative method is borrowing. Here then manifestly we have the destination of the surplus, and it could hardly be better utilised than in providing for such important and necessary works. The problem of local bodies'indebtedness we discussed very fully yesterday, and we are glad to see that the Government recognised the importance of the danger involved in the continuance of the existing system, and the necessity of immediate reform in this respect. It is hinted that the Government propose to provide in some manner not detailed for the treatment of imbeciles and helpless poor." I have endeavoured to ascertain whether any local significance would attach to this suggestion, but I need not say that .Ministers are profoundly reticent. LAND SETTLEMENT. The Minister of Lands has allowed me to copy a return showing the increase of land settlement from year to year since. ISB3. The point of the return is that the increase of acres has been steadily progressive, and that the number of new selectors from year to year shows but little variation. The following are the figures : —

It will be seen from the above rjeturn that the increase in the number of acres taken up is larger in 1890 than in any previous one of the six years. It shows as above stated that from year to year land has been taken up on settlement conditions progressively.

Acre.". Increase. .Selectors. 1883 ... 27,3.?-! ... — ... — 1884 ... '28,587 ■■■ •••' 23 18 188.', ... 29,814 ... 227 ... 2114 1880 ... 31,703 ... 191!) ... .1857 1887 ... 33,332 ... 1509 ... 2914 1SS8 ... 34,743 ... 1401 ... 2401 1889 ... 35,747 ... 1004 ... 2225 1890 ... 38,178 .... 2401 ... 2118