WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10405, 1 April 1897, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

♦ — '[by TELEGRAPH. CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR. I learn that the returns from all departments show a prosperous year. Mr. Seddon has put) the surplus at a high figure. It need hardly be said that with a view of showing a " substantial surplus" no ticcounts of any largo amount are paid tho wook or two before the end of the financial year. This is a practice with most Governments. Mr. Seddon has also stated that the accounts cannot bo inado up until about the 14th April, and therefore tlio statement he will make to the House of Representatives before leaving for England can bo only approximate, There is a fooling hero that) the actual receipts and expenditure can be known before that date. The custom has been for every office in the colony charged with the receipt and disbursement of public money to send to the Government on the last night of the financial year the exaot) figures by electric tolegraph. Hence it is argued that the statement under the lioad " Kovonue and expenditure" could show the actual position. Tho Premier promises a statement on the basis of tho statement made by tho Into Sir Harry Atkinson whon leaving office. _ But there is this difference, Sir Harry Atkinson made his statement in January before the completion of the financial yoar. Mr. Seddon will make his statement a week after the financial year has closed.

THE SUBURBS ELECTION. It is said that) in the absonoo of any announcement of the intontion of Mr. Hislop to stand for this sent), Mr. Atkinson will coma forward in the interest of tho Opposition. The Post backs Mr. Atkinson as " a born fighter," who has already obtained a following in tho district. I ain disposed to think tho statement somewhat premature. THE WOBURN ESTATE. The Government have taken tho initiatory steps for the acquisition of the Woburn Estate at Waipukurnu, the property of Mr. Purves Russell, of 27,000 acres. COLONEL PITT. Many pooplo confound this gallant offioor, who is to have the command of the New Zealand contingent, with an ofllcor of the same name who was conspicuous in the Maori war of 1863-4. Colonel Pitt is a barrister and solicitor, of Nelson. Ho came to tho colony about 30 years ago. He lias been an enthusiastic volunteer. Ho came from Hobart, and was admitted to the Nelson Artillery Cadets. He has been commandant) of Nelson, When the To Whiti craze broke out he called his men together, and received their consent to serve tho Government) of the day under tho Hon. John Bryce. They marched to Parihaka, but, as it turned out, there was no lighting. Ho is very popular, and a supporter of the Government.