WELLINGTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4023, 9 January 1875, Page 6 (Supplement)

WELLINGTON.

(FEOSI OUR OVTN CORRESPONDEXT.),

January sth. The new year came in beautifully, but when it was about ten hours old the rain | commenced to fall heavily, and continued j doing so for some thirty hours. Th 9 result was thafc the usual Caledonian sports wero spoiled. The committee carried them on as well as they could for some hours, and about 1700 people, including His Excellency the Governor, visited the ground, but many of the events did not come off, and ultimately the balance of the programme, including all the second day's sports, were postponed till Anniversary Day, 22nd inst. The ball from the citizens to His Excellency and the Marchioness of Normanby takes place the day after to-morrow, and is now the chief topic of conversation. It promises to be a great success. All classes are joining heartily in it, and the li3t of the committee and of the stewards presents a curious mixture. To render it a thorough public demonstration, the price of tickets, including sapper, &c, has been fixed at half a guinea, and the deficiency is to be met by a guarantee fund, now am.oiiu.tiug to nearly £500. Very general iudignation and disgust are felt in reference t > this matter. The Theatre being occupied by a Dramatic Company, the Committee were anxious to be allowed the use of the Assembly buildings for the ball. The Governnsent, on being applied to, at once consented so far as they were concerned, but said the Speaker's assent would be required for the use o£ the Chamber of the House of Representatives for the ball-room. The Minister of Public Works undertook to telegraph to Sir ¥. D. Bell urging the request, and, did so, but only met with a refusal. The Chamber has on several previons occasions been used as a ball-room. It was so used for the balls to the Duke of Edinburgh and the Flying Squadron, as well as for several balls during' the session. No possible inconvenience would have been caused by its being so used on this occasion. All the officeis of the Rouse were quite willing, and no injury could have been done to the fixtures, as all the present ones are about being removed, r.nd tenders are now out for new ones. Owing to the refusal, the Committee have had to engage tLe Theatre at the rent of £75 for the evening, besides being put to other expenses. Our Supreme Court sittings commenced and ended yesterday, there being only three cases and three prisoners. Judge Johnston, in his charge to the Grand Jury, alluded feeliugly to his approaching departure from "Wellington, after having resided here for sixteen years, and tho Grand Jury took the opportunity of making a complimentary presentment to him. Some kind of a public . testimonial i 3 also being mooted. • Another testimonial is being got up to Captain Wheeler, late of the Taranaki, but who is going home to bring out a steamer for the Otago Harbour Company. The subscriptions already amount to something considerable, and the testimonial will probably be presented to Captain Wheeler prior to his departure. He is to be succeeded in command of the Taranaki by Captain Lloyd, of the Eangatira, a thorough seaman and most popular officer. In connection with the Shipping Company, I may mention that Mr J. C. Cannon, for many years accountant in tfce Company's head office here, is al>out to leave for Dunsdin, to take the position of agent there. He is to be entertained at diuner on Thursday evening, by a number of friends and persons connected with the company.

Messrs Bates and Howard are doing remarkably well here in the Theatre, The house is crowded every evening, the management is excellent, and everything goea well and smoothly. Last night, Robertson's jßomsdy of "School" was produced in a highly succsssful manner. Mrs ?*ate3 is a great favourite, and she is excellently supported by the company. ISTo thing more in connection with the Attorney-General's trip or the Judgeships has yet transpired. Judge Chapman's retirement seems to be assumed in legal and political circles here as a fact, in spite of your denial of it. The names of Dr Foster and Mr Garrick, of Ciiristchurch, are mentioned in connection with the AttorneyGeneralsliip, bat nob with auy authority.