WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1205, 2 January 1875, Page 20

WELLINGTON.

(from ouk own correspondent.)

December 19 th.

We have had a week of considerable excitement, beginning with the arrival of the Governor and ending with the election for Mayor. The Governor arrived unexpectedly in the Luna on Sunday evening, but did not land until noon of Monday, when there was a very creditable turn out of the public and various societies. Only one address was presented, and that, of course, was from the city authorities. His Kxcellency and the Marchioness of Normanby both favourably impressed the public with their appearance, which, I may remark, is homely and kindly in the extreme. On Wednesday the usual levee was held, and was attended by an unusually large number of persons, upwards of 300 gentlemen being presented. His Excellency shook hands with each as he was introduced, and altogether his manner contrasted favourably with the freezing stiffness so characteristic of Sir J ames Fergusson. The next day the Marchioness did not, like her predecessor, hold a "drawing room," but she did have a reception, and it was numerously attended. Both Lord Normanby and his wife seem to have all the elements of popularity about them. He has already accepted tho position of official visitor to the College, and is to present the Grammar School prizes on Monday. He has also promised to attend the annual Messiah Concert of the Choral Society on Wednesday evening. A Citizens' Ball to the Governor is on the tapis, and is likely to come ofl" early in the New Year.

The election of Mayor was a very exciting contest. It was between Mr Drausfield, a former Mayor, and Mr Moorhouse. The candidates were very polite to each other, but in meeting after meeting Mr Dransfield, in the strongest and bitterest manner denounced those by whom Mr Moorhonse had been brought forward, mure especially the Evening Post and its editor. He did the injured innocence to perfection, talking of being persecuted.

putting a much worse complexion on all the charges made against him than they were ever intended to bear, and saying that if the ratepayers did not elect him they would be endorsing all these charges. Mr Moorhouse's committee worked hard, and was admirably organised. Mr Dransneld was rather left in the lurch by his friends, who seemed to think their names were sufficient to carry the man of their choice in. They were, in fact, very confident up to about the middle of the day, when the most sanguine had to admit that they were hopelessly beaten. The majolity of 502 secured by Mr Moorhouse astounded his own friends, avlio, while quite certain of winning, had not expected to have more than half this number. The fact was, the feeling in favour of a change of some kind in the City Council wad almost universal, and probably more votes were recorded as it were against Mr Dransiield than for Mr

Moorhouse. Others again were largely influenced by the feeling that Mr Drans-fk-ld was already a member of the City Council, and that by electing Mr Moorhouse the services of both would be secured to the city. The new Mayor will,

I hope, work a thorough reform in Municipal affairs, and one is certainly mos£ thoroughly needed.

Another excitement of the week hag been the announcement of Mr Travers having declined the office of AttorneyGeneral, which was promised to him by Mr Vo^el. It seems that Mr Travel's found out that the estimates of the pavilion of -Attorney-General entertained by the Government and himself differed very considerably. They thought that he should be a kind of Parliamentary draftsman and Legal Under-Secretaiy. He maintained that he should be the head of the Department, free from the control of the Civil Service Act, and in every Avay on an equality with Ministers, save in the matter of political responsibility and tenure of office. The Ministry not ac-

1 ceding to this view, Mr Travera recalled $ his previous acceptance of the oilicc when jit becomes vacant. The matter is one of ; general interest to the public, and special 1 Interest to j;h«? le%u,\ profession. Mr

Travers, I believe, intends to publish to his professional brethren the view he holds of the Attorney General's proper and legal position. It is thought very likely that this matter will lead to the reinstatement of the office as a political and ministerial one.

The great American Circits has been playing here this week, and has drawn large houses eA^ery night. It remains here over Christmas, and has to visit Christchurch, so that it will be well on in the new year before it reaches Dunedin. The Theatre Royal is to reopen to-night, with Mr and Mrs Bates in Elizabeth, supported by a Company including Mr Hydes, Mr Sam. Howard, Mr Burford, Miss Raymond, Miss Stoneham, and a number of others. Miss Clara Stephenson has joined the Howard-Collier Oompany in Auckland.

'! he arrangements for the sale of the Thorndon Keckmationto the City Council are almost complete. The General Government has consented to the transaction, and I believe consented to a temporary advance on account of the loan which will be required to complete the purchase. There have been a good many diliiculties in tho way, but they are now all a,ob over, and one of Mr Moorhouse's fhvst duties as Mayor will be to sign the necessary deeds. The particulars are not yet made public, but the price is understood to be £130,000.