WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9976, 13 November 1895, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[IT TELEGRAPH. —OWN corespondent,] Wellington, Tuesday. BACTERIOLOGY.

The appointment of Mr. Gilruth, the veterinary expert), to a studentship in the Pasteur Institute of France, is likely to provoke as much discussion as some other appointments of the Minister of Lands. The arguments on both sides are definite, and in this case are likely to be accentuated by considerable heat. The importance of having a fully qualified expert in this branch of soience is admitted on all bands. It) is said that the colony is deprived of Mr. Qilruth'a services, as some other officor will bo required to fill bis place. On the other hand ib is said that Mr. Gilruth's visit to Paris is part of his own purpose as a scientific studenb when he engaged with the Government, or that ib is the completion of a purpose arranged for " on termsbub then comes in the further argument thab there are scientific men in the colony—professors of chemistry and professors of biology—men of the highest repute as scientific enquirers even in this department. That is the present aspect of tho discussion. Yon are likely to hear a good deal more about it. I THE HON. MR. CADMAN. The Minister for Railways has so far improved in health and strength as to be able to be abroad to-day. The weather is beautifully fine. THE POLITICAL SITUATION. The Premier 1 returned to Wellington last night, and the Treasurer returns in a tew days. The Minister of Lands will nob return immediately. The public mind is occupied with several matters which are likely to ripen into political complications. The general elections are far off yet, bub tho interest in them even now is projected into every conversation. One of the ablest and most consistent of the Government supporters told me on the last day of the session that " there is unrest everywhere in the towns, throughout the country, and even in the ranks of the Government; following." This in part explains the eagerness of a somewhat far off anticipation. The state of public feeling in this city is a better index of the " political situation" than is to be found elsewhere, owing to the circumstance that the friends of the Government and the Opposition in this city are more equally distributed, more strongly pronounced, and possess more "immediate" influence than in othor towns. lam informed on the. host authority that) Sir Walter Buller, who a few weeks ago was preparing to go to England, has given up that purpose, and will be a candidate at the next election for Parliamentary honours. I conld name the constituency he most affects, bub to do so might nob be fair to' his supporters as well as to himself. I have also been informed on good authority that Sir Walter has received invitations from two or three electorates to represent them in the next Parliament. The moving influence to this change of purpose is, I understand, that Sir Walter is determined to vindicate to the country from a seat in Parliament his personal honour, as aspersed ostensibly by the Minister of Lands, but really by unseen influences. Tho second circumstance is a good deal mixed up with local politics in tno Empire City, The contest for the Wellington Mayoralty election, ib is believed, will result in the choosing of Mr. Geo. Fisher for the fourth time mayor of Wellington. Hitherto Mr. Fisher hat poied as one of tho strongest opponents of the Government, fie is regarded here as the " working man's friend." The success of his enterprises (such as the water, supply) has given him confidence with the most numerous section of the ratepayers. It is reported thab Mr. Duthie, one of the Wellington members, will not seok the suffrage) of the electors again. This is perhaps too loner " a shot," bub it is the common talk. Mr. Fisher's aupportors are very nutaerous, and do not conceal their wish to see him again in Parliament.

THE OFFICE OF AGENT-GENERAL.

The general idea is that tho Hon. Mr. Reeves will go homo as Agent-General. You- have already been informod as to the bases of this surmise, which is strengthened by the belief that Mr. Reeves is nob in completo "sympathetic accord" with his colleagues, and that he has losb favour with his Christchurch supporters, however much he may bo in favour with tho trade councils throughout the colony. It is thought now that Sir Patrick Buckley will accept the judgeship. Tho position is put in tnis form by a very terso political authority: " Sir Patrick Buckley, judge or nothing; Mr. Reeves, Agent-Uenoral or trouble."

WOOD PULP AND PAPER MAKING.

The Department of Industries has issued an important leaflet on this subject which is simply the report of Mr. Friedlander, an export on the question of the advisability or otherwise of establishing a wood pulp factory in Now Zealand. Mr. Friedlander states that there are two matters requiring most careful consideration, viz., (1) Is the pulp to be produced for export to paper making countries? or (2) is the pulp to bo used for paper making in New Zealand. Austria, Germany, Scandinavia, _ and America all export very large quantities of tho pulp. To erect a paper mill for making between £65,000 and £80,000 worth of papor per annum would require a mill costing ab least) £150,000 delivered and erected in New Zealand. To erect a celluloids mill for the purpose of making bub 10 tons per day, the least amount) required, would be £30,000 to £40,000 delivered and erected in New Zealand. There is a very poor prospect for this industry when ib is understood that the price for wood pulp has fallen from £14 to £8 a ton.