WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2087, 22 February 1894, Page 21

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

(From Oub Own Correspondent.) Wellington, February 14. 'JIIU PREMIER AS A I'UIUST.

It would bo painting the lily indeed to attempt anything in praLe of the "O.H M.S." despatch that follows :— " Jackson Palmar, Esq , Auckland. — lie Monk. Your telegram giving result of trial received. On reading press report of the evidence tendered, and if purity of Parliament was to be maintained ib was iaipoßsible for any other decision to bo given. I am simply amazed to think that a gentleman holding Mr Monk's views on the temperance question should have defended the action. Many men holding less pronounced views would have scorned to hold a seat which bad been won by such questionable means. Probably be did not bulievp it possible that alcohol had played such a' material factor in securing his return. The trial teaches a lesson which it is well to observe. I am strongly of the opinion that if poor men 'are to have a fair chance of being returned to Parliament, and if the Parliament is to be kept pure, amendments of a stringent character are r< quired in our electoral l*ws, one of such amendments being the closing up of publichouses durirg the hours of polling on election day. I congratulate you on your success in exposing the wrong-doing during the Waiteinata election — K. J. Si.ddom, Wellington." THE LICENSING KLECTIONS. The licensed victuallers in Wellington have adopted the following resolutions :— (1) " That this meeting affirms tho urgency of all persons connected with the trade U«iDg their utmost endeavours in the forthcoming March election to defeat the total prohibition, and to return a licensing committee of moderate views, and who are moro in favour of securing good hotel accommodation for the public than reducing the number of liceusee." (2) " That general committees For the diiFertnt wards in the electoral districts of Wellington be appointed forthwith to secure the election of men of moderate viewa for the licensing bench and to defeat th»> oWject3 of the prohibitionists to sccuro the direct veto, anil that to give effect to Ihis resolution an ix-outive committee be appointed." PEIISsONAL Mr Aoieltus Smith, formerly private secretary to Governor I3jwen and recently t-ecretary to tbo late Premier (Mr Ballancf), has been appoiutcd to take charge of tho new Department of Trade and Commerce. Mr Smitherp, who has successfully filled tho oflico of private secretary to the Minister for Labour, has been promoted to the office of short hand writer for the Department (f Education. Ho is a cornpotent, courteous young officer with literary aspirationp. MISCELLANEOUS. Tbe Government lnvo dtcided to establish safes in connection with the Public Trust Office for the reception of deeds, articles of jewellery, &c, belonging to private persons. February 19. jir Ritchie's tour of otago. Mr Ritcbie, secretary of agriculture, who has just returned from a departmental insp c'ion of the Central Ofcago country, informs me that the crops there have been injured by the late heavy rains. Much of the grain has been laid in consequence, and will bo difficult to harvest. There has bven great mortality among sheep consequent upon>a great flush of spring grass followiug upon a very severe winter, weakened stock beiisg unablo to stand the "scouring" effect of the abundant young grass. Shearing is now over, and the clip of wool is perceptibly lighter than last year. Lambing is fairly good and up to the average. Store sheep range from Is to Is 6d less than las»t year, while piices for prime fm zers continue to be maintained. The rabbit pest is dicuioishing in a satisfactory way, the set tiers' methods of destruction including poUouing, trapping, shooting, dogging, and ferreting. Too turnip crop throughout tho South Island is exceptionally good and heavy, so that the winter feed for fcheep ia assured. COLD STORAGE. Part of Mr Ritchie's business was to iuquire at southern ports &s to the facilities for cold storage for dairy produce, and he is now in a position to report to the Railway Commipsioners with recommendations for the necessary accommodation at Wellington, Auckland, Duuedin, Lyttelton, and the Bluff. February 20. A 810 ESTATE OFFERED. Ifc is understood that a largw and well-known estate situated in the Hawke's Bay district is voder offer to tho Government. It has been valued, and, as its price for cash or its equivalent is likely to p'ove too great an amount to be financed satisfactorily, I have reason to think that an effort will bs made to acquire it by lease — that is to say, the Government will apply to it, when in a position to do so, their new policy of loading from the estate owner to sublet to a Crown tenant. The eitate comprisessome 26 000 acres of good pastoral laud, much of it being Jimcotone formation. WatiT for purposes of close settlement is, I am told, insufficient, and grain crops, thougu occasionally heavy, uncertain. The owner is a wel-known abseutee, «ho for many years has resided out of the colony, and such an arrangement would probably suit his interest, particularly if his income was freed from taxation, as he would derive a good and assured income from his estate and re'.ain his right-i in tho unearned iDcrement of the lande. Tne valuation of the estate ft r land tax purposes is, I understand, £4- 10a per acre. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. I have reason to think that the Premier has abandoned his once aggressive intentions towards the grave and reverends of tho Senate who have disagreed with his policy in the past., and that as a consequence various patriotic politicians who immolated them«elvea at the sbrine of party during the general election will presently come to the conclusion that it ii better to be a livo representative commoner tban a potential lord — in plain phrase, the Government will nob, I have reason to believe, make auy new appointments to the Upper H'ju b o. Various cau?es have apparently led to tLis altered attitude of the Premier, and the most potent m^y bo th^t a distinguished per&ona^e has made it clear that ho will resist any attempt to increase the numerical (strength of the Council at tbe present tienp. Then ib is understood that some of the Councillors hitherto in oppositifii will bo ab<ent from the country when Parliament meet,?. Rome will wing thair way on a flying vi-it to tbe old country, and tho Hon. Mr Johnston is ahvady on his way thither. Others there are who arc understood to declare that they will accept the mandate of the people, and assent to the Government measures rejected last tension when presented to the new Parliament This is an attitude that would obviously wtaktn the Premier's case for bubmiscioa to the Governor, and whether dictated by patriotism or a defaire to baulk the wish of the Government tj make fuither Council appointments will have tbe same effect. Of cuurse contingencies may arise to alter the situation, but at piesent it is not likely that any new appointments will be made,

and further, the intention to abolish the life membership and make the tenure of appointment of all Senators similar to chat of the new members — seven years — has been, I believo, abandoned. NEW MASKE'S. The new Department ot Commerco and Industries will make strenuous ifforts to open up new markets for New Zealand produce. RKDUCTION OF CO-OPEBATIVB LABOOUEHS. I gather, on appareutly good authority, that the Premier has caused instructions to be issued to tho various engineers and officers in charge of co-operative works to reduce the number of men employed by 25 per cent, before the end of the current month, the single men to be first dispensed with. During January, I am told, the co-operative labourers employed numbered 22 24, so that if. this be true it will mean that 555 men will be thrown ou'. of work almost immediately. This feems an almost incredible statement iv face of ample votes aud the repeated declaration of tho Premier tbat the Treasury is in ample funds, but it is made to me upon, authority that I cannot ignore. I will, howtver, setk an interview with the Premier aud try and obtain an authoritative statem.nt on the subject.