WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9712, 7 January 1895, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[by telegbaph.—own correspondent.] '< . Wellington, Saturday. MR. WARD'S* Vxmi!\'o&ifa£&btß,. This is still the sole subject of political interest, but it is rapidly assuming a phase which is likely to create a good deal of political irritation. Some remarks in the Ministerial organ this morning appeared to have been interpreted as a challenge to outspokenness in another quarter. Naturally the Government paper defends the Colonial Treasurer, and argues that the visit is simply a " holiday " which the Hon. Mr. Ward has assuredly earned. The matter would have passed at that if it had nob been for the susceptibility of outside criticism. It is said that there are precedents for a colonial Minister going to England in the recess without the sanction of Parliament. It is affirmed, however, that the Hon. Mr. Larnach resigned when he wished to go home. There are, of course, cases of Ministers going home to carry out objects of State under Parliamentary mandate, but these are placed in a different category. The Times puts the case as follows : — We fail to see why Mr. Ward should nob go home just at present, or anywhere else, provided he is nob too long away. Provided he gets back in time for the work of the session, a thing perfectly feasible, there is nothing to be said against his taking a holiday. If he should elect to attend to private business during that time no one has any right to complain. Mr. Ward, as everybody knows, is a very hard-worked man. Between his duties as Colonial Treasurer and the work of the management of several large businesses with which he is connected, his time has been very fully occupied ever since he became Colonial Treasurer. Seeing that more than once he has broken down under tho strain, it would be reasonable to suppose that he is seeking on board ship escape from the worries that are brought by telegraphs and mails, as well as a few weeks of mental rest and fresh air. But it is the height of unreason to insist that because he has so much public and private business to do, he ought on no account to leave the colony. It is, further, nob an extravagant supposition that useful information may be gained just now by a trip to the headquarters of finance, and the time is certainly opportune for an organised Australasian attempt to get the produce of Australasia more forward in Great Britain and the continent." lb is urge l !, on the other hand, that the Hon. Mr. Ward cannob so easily divest himself of his official responsibility any more than of his personal relations to the business enterprise with which his name is connected. The Posb, in a long article, gives the following answer to this particular point "Does the grandiloquent reference to the ' organised attempt' bo move the- markets of Groat Britain and theContinentin favourof Australian produce refer to the formation of Mr. Valentine's new company ? Rumour is nob reticent in connecting Mr. Ward's visit with the attempb to float tho concern. We have nob space ab present to follow up this subject, bub after the injudicious manner in which our first very mild and inoffensive references to Mr. Ward's absence have been received it may become necessary for us to speak much more plainly on the whole question, especially regarding tho bearing of Mr. Ward's private or semiprivate business relations on his public position. He will have no more reason to complain of this than Mr. Mundella had of the I'ross discussion of the incompatability between his private business relations with the Loan and Mercantile Agency and his position as President of the Board of Trade, which discussion compelled him to retire from ministerial office in England. We shall, however, be sorry if the necessity is forced on us." *

THE LENDING BOARD. The Board will sib during next week to hear applications for advances to settlers who have applied. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT. The Board, of whioh Mr. Percy Smith is chairman, will meet in the South shortly to consider the offer of sale of estates for settlement purposes. LAND PURCHASE DEPARTMENT. Some comment is made upon the circumstances that Mr. J. McKerrow is nob a member of tho " Lending Board," since he must have the largest experience of any public officer in New Zealand of land values. But I am informed that his experience will always be available to the Minister of Lands and the Government in connection with both the Boards just mentioned, that his appointment is consultative and advisory both for the Minister and the Lands Department. FLOCKS AND HERDS. Mr. Gillruth, Government veterinary surgeon, has returned from his inspection in the South. He says he has not seen a single case of cancer. HARDWOOD TIMBER. At the same time that an effort is being made to send hardwood timber to England, it appears somewhat strange that it should be imported here in largo quantity. The Rotokino, from Australia, brings 28,000 feet from Newcastle (fc.S.W.), 13,000 feet from Sydney, and nearly 60,000 feet from the Bluff, Lyttelbon, and Port Chalmers to be used in various extensive works. MINISTERIAL. The Premier is to address the electors of Hokitika before leaving his home on the West Coast. The Hon. Mr. Ward is expected to arrive here to-day. The Hon. Mr. Reeves arrived to-day by the B.s. Monowai.