WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9978, 21 February 1894, Page 2

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

(Fbom Odb Own Correspondent.) WeixingtoNi February 20. A 810 ESTATE OFFERED. lUs understood that a large and well-known estate situated in the Hawke's Bay district is under offer to the Government. It has been valued, and, f.s its ptiee for cash or its equivalent is likely to prove too great an amount to be financed satisfactorily, I have reason to think that an effort will be made to acquire it by lease —that is to say, the Government will apply to it, when in a position to do so, their new policy of leading from the estate owner to sublet to a Crown tenant. The estate comprises some 26,000 seres of good pastoral land, much of it being limestone formation. Water for purposes of close settlement is, I am told, insufficient, and grain crops, though occasionally heavy, uncertain. The owner is a well-known absentee, who for many years has resided out of the colony, and such an arrangement would probably suit his interest, .particularly if his income was freed from taxation, as he would derive a good and assured income from his estate and retain his rights in the unearned increment of the lands. The valuation of the estate for land tax purposes is, I understand, £4 10s per ac,re. THE CIVIL SERVICE. A deputation representative ef the Council of the Public Service Association waited upon the Premier to-day to ascertain the intention of the Government as to the introduction of a Civil Service Bill to provide principally for the classification of the service, or iii other words, for the status and salaries of officers. Mr Seddon promised to consult his colleagues and reply later ou. . LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. , I have reason to think that the Premier has abandoned his onco aggressive intentions towards the grave and reverends of the Senate who have disagreed with his policy in the past, and that as a consequence various patriotic politicians who immolated themselves at the shrine of patty during the general election will presently come to the conclusion that it is better to be a live representative commoner than a potential lord—in plain phrase, the Government will not, I have reason to believe, make any new appointments to the Upper House Various causes have apparently lea to this altered attitude of the Premier, and the most potent may be that a distinguished personage has made it clear that he will resist any attempt to increase the numerical strength of the Council at the present time. Then it is understood that some of the Councillors hitherto in opposition will be absent from the country when Parliament meets. Some will wing their way on a flying visit to the old country, and the Hon Mr Johnston is already on his way thither Others there are who are understood to declare that they will accept the mandate of the people, and assent to the Government measures rejected last session when presented to the new Parliament. This is an attitude that would obviously weaken the Premier's case for submission to the Governor, and whether dictated by patriotism or a desire to baulk the wish of the Government to make further Council appointments will have toe same effect. Of course contingencies may arise to alter the situation, but at present it is not likely that any new appointments will be made, and further, tie intention to abolish the life membership and make the tenure of appointment of aU Senators similar to that of the new mflmbers-seven years-has been, I believe, abandoned.

NEW ItABKBTS. The new Department oE Commerce and Industries will make strenuous efforts to open up new markets for New Zealand produce. REDUCTION OF CO-OFEBATIVE LABOUHEIiS I eather, on apparently good authority, that the Premier has caused instructions to be issued to the various engineers and omcers in charge of co-operative works to reduce the number of men employed by 25 per cent, before the end of the current month, the single men to be first dispensed with. During January, I am told, the co-operative labourers employed numbered 2224, so that if this be true it will mean that 555 men will be thrown out of work almost immediately. This seems an almost incredible statement in face of ample votes and the repeated declaration of the Premier that the Treasury is in ample funds, but it is made to me upon authority that I cannot ignore. I will however, seek an interview with the Premier and try and obtain an authoritative statement on the subject.