WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1189, 12 September 1874, Page 10

WELLINGTON.

(FIIOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) 7th Sept. By telegraph the other day I was enibled to send you particulars of the negotiation between Mr Vogel and Mr Stafford in reference to the latter joining the Ministry. The New Zealand Times has since, by authority, denied the correctness of the facts as published here (and which were almost identical with those I had previously sent you) ; Imt the denial in tins case very much resembles that given regarding the South Sea Scheme when it w«is first disclosed in your columns. In spite of the denial, I have every reason to believe that the facts are substantially as 1 gave them. Mr Vogel was, I believe, greatly disappointed at Mr Stafford's refus.il and the terms in which it was made, although he must have been singularly blind if he expected anything else after Mr Stafford's speech on the disbolution question. That speech plainly indicated that although Mr Stafford was willing temporarily

to follow Mr Vogel when the latter led in the direction he wished to go, he would not have any closer alliance, and looked forward to hereafter rejoining the former friends from whom Ma course diverged on that occasion. However, Mr Vogel had to bear his disappointment in the best way he could, even though it involved the aban- 1 donment of his plan of a visit to England. He found consolation in Major Atkinson, who readily accepted the offer of a seat in the Cabinet. The Major's accession will not add much to the political strength of the Ministry, but in other ways it will be useful. Personally he is popular, and he is an excellent and experienced departmental chief. His well known and very strong views in favour of the abolition of the whole Provincial system in both islands, and the resumption by the Colony of possession of the land fund, ia regarded here as highly significant. It is thought that he would not have joined the Government if he had not been satisfied that its policy would be in accord with his own views iv these matters. It is rather funny to fin \ Mr Reynolds and|Major Atkinson sitting on the same benches. Hitherto no two men in the House apparently had less in common than these two. Major Atkinsou is one of the Richmond family, who have ever been Mr Reynolds's bSte noir. If I rernemher correctly, it; was Mr Reynolds who most loudly applauded Mr Fox's emphatic declaration that it would have been a gain to the Colony if it had provided the whole Richmond and Atkinson family (the Major included) with substantial pensions on condition of their refraining from all participation in public affairs. Mr Reynolds has often expressed similar views, at any rate; yet now we find him welcoming Major Atkinson as a colloagu°. There are queer turns and changes in political life. How Mr Reynolds and the Major will get on when Mr Vogel goes away remains to be Keen. Mr Vogel is going somewhere. His health, I believe, in peratively demands change of soene for a time, and as he can scarcely trust his present colleagues for the time necessary to make a trip to Europe, he will probably find it necessary to proceed to Sydney to assist Mr Russell in negotiating another San Francisco mail contract.

The Provincial Government hnve just done a good thing in the sale of 20,000 acres in the Manawatu district, to a firm which includes Mr John Douglas (formerly of Douglas, Alderson, and Co.), Hen. Robert Campbell, Mr Dawson, Mr Thomas Russell, and Mr M'Mullen, amongst its members, and as may be supposed therefrom, has any amouut of money. The land consists or a large swamp close to the Orana bridge, where Macdonald recently nhot the coach horse. With sufficient capitnl this land can easily be drained, and will then be about the finest in the Colony. The Province, moreover, has not the money to invest in drainage works, aud the Luid .would be of no use to small owners. In a block and in the hands of its present purchasers, it will be a magI nificent property. The price paid is 12s 6d an aero, but there are conditions attached. One is the expenditure of £10,000 in drainage works and improvements, and the other the settlement t of at least 70 families on 100-acre allotments, within two years. Although there has been j some grumbling at the purchasers having got I what may he looked on as a bargain, I think that I on the whole the transaction is a very advantageous one for nil parties. The Province will certainly benefit greatly by the introduction of capital and capitalists. The sale required the confirmation of the Governor in Counoil, and this has been given. Altogether the Provinoe has done bettev with its swamp land, than the General Government did with those in tho WftiI kato, -which they sold at 3s 6d an acre, as Mr Waterhou<<e showed early in the session. Tt is said that Messrs Douglas and Co. contemplate other large land purchases in this Piovince. They have already added to their Orana estate by purchasing some 10,000 acres adjoining from private owners. "We have this week had quite an inundation of Greymouth celebrities, including the Mayor and Town Surveyor of that town, and representatives of the various coal-mining companies there. These gentlemen came up as a deputation to the Government regarding the harbour works recommended by Mr Moriarty, the Now South Wale* Marine Engineer, who recently visited the West Coast, and who has made an elaborate report on the protective works required to give a permanent depth of 16 feet of water over the Grey bar. The expense of these works is estimated at nearly £100,000, and of oourse such a sum cannot be raised without the assistance of Government. The object of the deputation is to know whether the Government will next session be prepared to authorise and assist the scheme. Some of the West Coast members and the Superintendent of Nelson waited for the deputation to arrive here, and have backed up their representations. The coal companies are understood to be willing to give any security in their power. On Sunday last the Euterpe arrived from Lon« don, with some 400 immigrants ; next day oame the Strathnaver, with as many more ; and the day after the St. Leonards put in an appearance, but foitunately she had only cargo and a lot of cabin passengers. The last 50 of the Reichstag's Scandinavians had only been disposed of the day before the Euterpe arrived. The Barracks are now filled, and so are the Quarantine Buildings on fctosunes Island. The immigrants by these two vessels are a superior lot of people, but at this period of the year it will tax our powers of ab. sorption to the utmost to find house-room and employment for them all before the Douglas and Cartvale arrive with 800 more. The conduct of the Agent-Gene' al in thus crowding ship on ship to arrive at this season can only be explained on the supposition that it is done with an object, and that a malicious* one. It also unfortunately happens that the winter is one of the worst ever known in the Province. Por mouths we have not had throe successive days without r<iin, .and as a natural result the roads are iv a bad state, and communication through the country districts is difficult. All things considered, it is really wondeiful that the thousands who have arrived have been absoi bed ; but I fear that there is a limit, and that it is near, if not quite reached now. The wet weather is affecting others than the immigrants. The stock in the Waiiarapa is suffering severely, especially sheep with heavy fleeces, uud in some cases the mortality has been very great. This cannot be wondered at when for a couple of months or more the wool has never been dry on the sheeps' backs. In town almost every second person met with is suffering from, or has just recovered from, a severe cold. The opening; of the railway has given a wonderful impetus to the Hut district, which promises soon to become an important and populous suburb. Already several nice villas have been built there, and are occupied by city gentlemen, and several othus are to be immediately commenced. The Hutt has just been proclaimed a district under a Provinci.il Local Boards Act, and its affairs will in future be managed by an elected Board of Commissioners. A Buiifling and Land Society has just been started there, and a Gas Company ia now actually on the tapis. Your inland towns, such as Milton, Lawrence, and Oamaru, will be quite thrown into the shade by the Hutt if this gas idea is carried out, as I have no doubt it will be. The greater part of the required capital is in fact already subscribed. The Company is to haye a capital of £5000 iv £5 shai-es, and the Manager and Engineer of the City Gas Company declare that this amount will be amply sufficient for the construction of all necessary works and the carrying on of operations,