WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10265, 24 January 1895, Page 2

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

(Feom Our Own Oobkesfohmrnt.)

Wbihnoton, January 23.

MB wabd's teip.

The Ministerial journal and' its evening corftemporary still wage war over the Ward mission to England, and the organ of the Government has found it necessary to say that it "misunderstood " the Treasurer in one important particular—a circumstance that has provoked some sceptical Liberals to expression* of rank heresy. I hear to-day that the Treasurer, in deference to public opinion, will "show his hand" at the Dunedin banquet; but I fancy that in this also it will be found that lie has been " misunderstood." RAILWAY MISMANAGEMENT. The new railway management hss locally incurred discredit by its inability to deal with the extra pressure of yesterday's excursionist traffic, which was certainly very heavy. The scene upon the departure of the last train from the Hutt racecourse was one of complete disorder, and is thus described : —" There appeared to be no effort made to provide adequate aocoromodatiou, or even to ensure safe transit. There was no apparent attempt - to observe a time table or to prevent dangerous overcrowding. On the contrary, any visible effort made was to pack carriages and trucks regardless of the comfort or safety of the passengers. There was not carriage accommodation provided for 10 per cent.' of those holding carriage tickets, while no attempt whatever was made to reserve even what there was for those who had paid for it. Probably considerably more than half of those in the four carriages provided only held truck tickets. Both carriages and tracks were permitted to be shamefully and dangerously overcrowded, and it was more by good luck than good manage> ment that a serious accident was avoided." ARBITRATION AND J3ONOILIATION. The time for the registration of societies under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act has been extended to the 2nd of April. This is to give ample time for the election of boards, and for employers and employees to register. A further batch of 141 inspectors under the Factories Act will be gazetted to-morrow. This sounds formidable, but there is ntf money in it. They are mostly policemen and get nothing fo* it. LEVIN STATE PAHM. The anniversary of the State farm at Levin will be celebrated by a local festival to-morrow. The Ministers for Lands and Labour have been invited ta attend, and will dp so if business permits. As to this State farm, I thirik it likely that the Minister for Lnbonr will ere long formulate and announce the lines of its future nuinggement. It is time something like a definite system was adopted if it is to be a scientific experiment for dealing with surplus labour. '