WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10408, 5 April 1897, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[by telegraph.— own correspondent.] Wellington, Saturday. THE SPECIAL SESSION-

Sir Maurice O'Rorkk and several members for northern and southern districts have arrived in town for the session.

THE ELECTION OF SPEAKER.

This is the first Parliamentary business and is the subject of some discussion. The general opinion is that Sir Maurice O'Rorke will be elected, bub there are several members who wish to put up tho Hon. Mr. Rolleston. It is said, however, that it is not so much in the hope that Mr. Rolleston would be elected as that ft contest would fix the temperance voto. I know, however, as a matter of fact, that several of the most influential members of the Opposition, depreciate tho nomination of .Mr. Rolleston unless his election were a certainly. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. It is generally understood here that Mr. Guinness will be appointed Attorney-General in the early days of the session, and that Mr. Joyce will be appointed Chairman of Committees, THE BALLANCE MEMORIAL, The Btatue has been placed on the ground. The pedestal, which is to support it, is a very dark gray granite, but either it has been solected to fit in with a limited expenditure, or it has been badly chosen, for there are two or three black patches which seriously deface the polished surface. The statue itself as it stands alongside the pedestal muffled up in canvas is an uncanny looking thing. WELLINGTON SUBURBS ELECTION.

Mr. A. R. AUinson is now the declared caadidato for this district. A meeting of electors of tho Opposition ticket was held last night, and its deliberations lasted until nearly midnight. The result was that the ultimate decision was left with Mr. John Diithio. Mr. Duthie has consulted Mr. Hislop and Mr. Atkinson, and an arrangement has been come to that Mr. Atkinson shall " stand the racket" ol the coming con. tost. There is a general opinion that the struggle will be intensely bitter. The Newtown electors will vote for Mr. Atkinson, and the Pet-one pooplo engaged in the Government workshop will vote for Wilson. Mr. Wilson is the political protege of Mr. J, McKenzie. He was severely hecklod last night at a public meeting as to whether ho would vote for the Bushy Park sale, or for Ministers of the Crown having seats on the directory of public companies. Mr. Wilson asked time for inquiry, which was granted. It is acknowledged that the disposition of the electorate has greatly changed since the last election.