Our Correspondents. WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1325, 21 April 1877, Page 6

Our Correspondents.

WELLINGTON.

April 7th. Oar Criminal Sessions have this time been held by Mr Justice Richmond, who is generally regarded as a great improvement on both Mr Justice Johnston and the Chief Justice. It was well for all concerned, however, that the former judge did not preside this time, or there would have been trouble, as the blunders made in almost every case would have driven him well nigh mad. There was scarcely a case in which Judge Richmond had noc to complain of the absence of necessary witnesses, or documents, or error 3in the indictment.but he did 30 in a kindly, gentlemanly way which was after all more telling than the bullying manner which some other judges affect. 'The crimes were not very serious ones, and every committal resulted in a conviction. There was not a single case of offence againsb the person. The most serious charges were two of forgery and one of horse stealing. In one of the forgery cases a cheque for £2 2a had been ingeniously altered to £20 2s, and in regard to this Judge Richmond warned people against writing their cheques so as literally to leave an opening for " frauds of this sort. He recommended people to write the number of pounds and the word pounds without taking their pens eff, sc as effectually to guard against any alteration. The other forgery case was that of a signature to a promissory note, which an obliging up-country banker discounted, although the 'signature was not in the least like that of the person by whom it purported to be signed, and was very evidently in exactly the same handwriting as that of the endorser, to whom it professed to be payable. The Grand Jury made a presentment, drawing attention to the wretched accommodation provided for the Courts of Justice here, and urging the erection of a suitable Court House. In this His Honour entirely concurred, and said he had reason to believe it was intended to erect new Court buildings, but he found it was not likely to be done very soon. The present apology for a Court House is reaUy a disgrace. The Police Court is a wretched den, in which it is almost impossible to breathe when any important case attracts many listeners, and the Supreme Court is dark, badly ventilated, draughty, and altogebher too small. The Grand Jury room is such a wretched hole that the members of that august body usually have to sit with their hats on. When this fact was pointed out to His Honour he smilingly remarked that this was one of the advantages of a Grand Jury, that the principal citizens were made to share in Ihe discomforts which* all other classes olthe community had to suffer. Certainly a new Court House is much wanted, and so ia a new Post Office. The old Post Office sis now being patched up in a most shameful manner, a low lean-to having been placed directly facing the wharf. The effect on new arrivals may be imagined. After lying in the stream here for some six months, the Luna has .it last found a purchaser, Messrs Turnbull and Co, 'having, on behalf of the Brunner Coal Mining Company, bought her from the Government for the low sum of £4000. She is admirably adapted for a trade necessitating her entering bar harboura. She can carry a good cargo over almost any. of the West Coast- river bars, and she is to be employed running between thi? and Weatport, the Company intending to establish a depOt here. She •will, however, require considerable alteration, and probably new boilers, before she is much use to her purchasers. It is thought Sue might have brought a higher price had she been put up to auction. Some time ago the Government wanted a good deal more for her. The Ministry were by no means pleased with the result of the Wellington City election. Mr Hutchison is rather a pet of theirs, and would have beeu a most subservient follower. They gave him every aid they could, aud made him the vehicle of several little semi official announcements ; bat I do not think that the Ministerial support gained Mr Hutchison many supporters amongst the Civil Service, most of the officials giving their votes for Mr Travers, although a few resented his reference to the Service as beinsj a refuge for the destitute ; indeed, during the whole course of the election Mr Travers seemed to be constantly trending on somebody's toes. He is too hot tempered and impulsive to weigh very carefully the words he uses when excited, and in this he lost many votes. Indeed, his. Committee were at times in despair, and it was only the energy and admirable organisation of his friends that won the battle. M r Hutchison is a better electioneering politician, but his Committee worked loosely, and was over confident. It was, however, a very near thing, being won by only 15 votes out of nearly 1200 recorded. It is by uo means unlikely that this election will exercise a considerable influence on the course of politics next session. It is generally regarded as almost certain that a strong Opposition will bo found next session if only a suitable leader can be found. Neither personally nor politically is Sir George Grey likely to be able to gather a following of any great strength, and while he is the only opponent they would have to fear, they are quite safe. Things would be different, however, if a leader like Sir William Fitzherbert could te found to enter the field against hino, and it is no secret that Sir William ia being strongly urged to resign the Speakersbip aud make an attempt for the Premiership. Ido not know wbat his views on the subject may be, but certainly the facts of bis having obtained his title and Mr Travera being elected for Wellington are calculated to render him more favourably disposed to tuch a proposal than he would otherwise have been. It is thought Sir George Gray would gladly retire in his favour, and indeed serve under him. At the Theatre Royal, Mrs Scott-Siduons had had a most unprecedented success. The theatre has nightly beenfilled with fashionable and enthusiastic audiences, snd on several occasions the building has been too small for the people all to get into it. Notwithstanding this, people differ very much in the estimate of her acting'— some regarding it as superb,

others as unnatural. There liaa been a good deal of newspaper correspondence on the subject, and some very unfair comments have been made regarding the manner in which she has been supported by the stock company. New pieces have been played night after night, and it has been perfectly astonishing how well the company have responded to the demands made upon them. Mrs Scott-Siddons herself generously acknowledges the support she has received. Before the Liugards left, she purchased the right to " Our Boys," and on Saturday night she appeared for the first time in it as Mary. Her rendering of it was an original conception — not a copy o£ Mr 3 Lingard — and it in no way suffered by comparison. Mr Power, however, was a very inferior Perkyn Middlewick to Mr Lingard. Tonighe Mrs Scott Siddons is going to play Eily O'Connor in the "Colleen Bawn," having specially studied it for Mr Steele's benefit. There is sure to be a large house. The new Theatre Company may be regarded as successfully floated, and building operations will be commenced very 30on.