WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9023, 31 October 1892, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[BY telegraph —own CORRESPONDENT.J Wellington, Saturday. MINISTERIAL. • The Hon. J. McKcnzie was able to attend for a short time in the Lands Department this morning. THE MAYORALTY ELECTION. A very interesting question arises out of the contest for the mayoralty election just now in progress. Mr. Fisher contends that Mr. Bell having declared several times that he should not seek re election, is guilty of breach of faith in coming forward in opposition at the suggestion of third parties, and thus to wresb the election from its ordinary course. Mr. Bell puts the case as follows:—He admits that he had made such a declaration both before and after the passing of the Corporation drainage loan, that Mr. Duthie had consented to stand if Mr. Bell declined, but afterwards Mr. Duthie withdrew in consequence of illness in his family. A deputation waited upon Mr. Bell and asked him to stand in consequence of Mr. Duthie's withdrawing. Mr. Bell thereupon said Mr. Fisher should be consulted. Here the legal sabtlety comes in. If Mr. Fisher had then any complaint, why did ho not say so? Mr. Fisher appears to have made no protest. He says he was not bound to complain, hut the fact that he made no complaint did nob relieve his opponent from an obligation. Mr. Fisher takes np the position of Marc Anthony, and says his opponents are " all honourable men." Of course, the real question is whether Mr. Bell, having declared that he would not seek re election, is bound by that declaration in the circumstances of the present cose. The argument is likely to give additional heat to the contest. POLICE CHANGES. It was reported this evening that these changes had been made, and that the wellknown Wellington Detective, Mr. Campbell, has been ordered to Timaru. lam informed that no decision has been come to although the matter is under consideration. THE STOCK CONFERENCE. The business of the Conference is practically concluded. Mr. Lawry and Mr. Macnicoll, the Auckland delegates, £ ill leave Wellington on Monday. They propose to visit the show at Hawera on their way up.