WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 360, 23 October 1858, Page 6

WELLINGTON.

From the Wellington papers we obeeerve that the Reform party (as they designate themselves) and the Featherstone party still

war away at each other through the columns of their journals, frequently exchanging some " hard hits ;" and it is to be regretted that several cases of libel have been tried before the Supreme Court, and others are to be brought, it appears, against the "Independent." An injunction was applied for from the Supreme Court by Mr. Wakefield to restrain the Superintendent from paying any money on account of public works, &c, on the ground that no Appropriation Act for 1858 had been passed by the Council ; which injunction the Court refused to grant, stating, that if the Superintendent was spending money without authority he and his Executive could be made responsible for it thereafter. His Honor feeling secure as to the expenditure going on in his absence, proceeded, along with Dr. Evans, in the steamer " Queen," to Melbourne, to make arrangements as to a steam service between Victoria and Wellington.

The Hutt has again suffered from a severe flood. The damages sustained by many of the settlers is considerable, and the injury to the public works is much greater than has happened previously. The Hutt bridge is partly gone, and will require from 80 to 100 feet of new work before it can again become available for traffic. Some of the creek bridges are completely destroyed, and the road is washed away in several places, rendering a considerable delay necessary, before it can be re-opened for carts. The Provincial Government have commenced repairing the damages, and we are assured that no time will be lost in restoring the means of communication through the whole district

The floods at Grey Town, and Masterton, have been very heavy, and have done great damage to crops and fences.

The Spectator says — " The recent departure of all but a small detachment of the troops from this place withdraws from us the advantages of a large expenditure, and must cause a tendency, on the part of many inhabitants, especially of the town, to seek a change of employment, and to engage in the production of articles which may be sold to other customers in the room of the military. We believe the result must be an increased demand for land to settle upon ; and that chiefly on the part of persons of humble means, to whom it is an object of great consequence? not to spend all their little capital on the purchase of the small plot which they require.