Talk of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 361, 11 January 1879, Page 15

Talk of the Week.

Politically speaking, the week has been quiet. In obedience to the hint given by Sir George Grey, the Ministerial organs are beginning to talk about a titled aristocracy, ana to warn the public of all sorts of possible dangers which threaten posterity if an aristocratic class is once created. As the danger ia not one that seems likely to affect Wellington folk, the warmth displayed in some quarters provokes a smile of contempt rather than the sympathy desired. Pending Mr. Stout’s speech to his constituents, but little importance ha< been attached to his utterances at Tapamai. The same cannot be said of the presentation of £SOO to Mr. Bastings. This has been freely commented on. Public opinion is divided on the subject, as many people seem to think that he was quite right to accept what was offered. But those whose opinion is entitled to weight quote similar instances of money presents to members of Parliament, from history, and in every case the retention of the gift was disallowed. It is morally certaiu that more will be heard of this matter.

The telegraphic report of Mr. Wakefield’s speech at Temuka, was too brief to attract much public notice, nevertheless it is worthy of the attention of all those interested in political subjects. It is apt to be forgotten that Mr. Wakefield helped to ihstal the Grey Ministry in power : a fact that is generally ignored by one section of the Press. His reasons for the change of his opinions are given by Mr. Wakefield very fully, and in language such as few can command.

The question of most local importance, i.e. the site of the railway station wharf, has as. Burned a new phase. After promising to reserve a site for a passenger station close to Mills’s foundry, on the reclaimed laud, the Minister of Public Works next day backed out of his promise, saying that the engineers had decided that the two sections asked for were unsuitable, and that in consequence a reserve would be made at the back of the Government Buildings. We are glad to hear that the public of Wellington do hot approve of their wishes being thus ignored. The passenger station promised could have been erected at Mills’ foundry just as well as a quarter of a mile further from the business part of the town. If more room were required for shunting, as stated, a slight extension of the reclamation at that point would have provided space for the purpose, or turn-tables might have been introduced. The committee of the Chamber of Commerce expressed their opinion strongly upon this point, and a monster meeting has been proposed to express the feeling of indignation generally felt in Wellington at the treatment which the city has received at the hands of the Government in this matter. The great need that there is for increased wharf accommodation is daily becoming more and more evident. The Pleiades waited eight days out in the stream for a berth, the steamer Wakatipu was delayed a whole day by the insufficient accommodation, and the Union Company have threatened to make some other harbor a port of transhipment if their requirements are not fulfilled, and no blame whatever is attributed to the management of the wharf. Public opinion is evidently growing stronger in favor of a Harbor Board. The work attached to the office of City Councillor is sufficiently heavy without harbor-board business being thrust upon them. The time is sure to come when the interests of the town and of the harbor will not accord, and it is better before that time arrives to have the management of the two placed upon separate and independent bases. The opinion expressed by the Chamber of Commerce that the railway wharf will not meet the requirements of the city if placed at the proposed site appears to be generally shared by business men in the city.

Nothing more has yet been heard about the free passes for the railway. Up to the present all that is known is that none whatever have been issued to the Press in Wellington. In proof of the little loss incurred by the department by the issue of these passes, we may mention that on an average the one belonging to this office has not been used more than once or twice a month during the year. Several important sales of land'in the Wellington district have been recorded during the past week. Both buyers and sellers appear content with the Bums paid from what we hear, and the sums realised show how high a price land commands in New Zealaud, even during a period of depression. News from England and the Continent points to a more hopeful out-look for the immediate future. The money market at home is fast recovering its tone, and the prospects of trade appear a little better. The pantomime and burlesque at the Theatre Royal has drawn moderate houses during

fche week. On the 13th Messrs. Baker and Farron will commence a short season, producing 14 Conrad and Lizette.” Mr. G. Rignold, after a most successful run of twelve nights for the Shakespearian drama of “ Henry V.” appeared on Wednesday as Amos Clatke.” The verdict of the Press and the public was unanimous in recording a nigh meed of praise to the chief actor, and also to the rest of the company. Mr. Rignold’s season is to close on Monday, when he will appear in the “ Lady of Lyons.” The weather during the week has been very warm at times, but though close and oppressive in town, in the country it has ha l a very beneficial effect upon the crops, and we hear that the harvest is likely to prove a good one. Labor is, however, very scarce, as harvest hands have been in demand at 15s. per day in the Wairarapa.