WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2252, 29 April 1897, Page 24

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

(Fkom Oor Own Co respondent.) ■Wellington, April 23. THE BUSHY PANIC ESTATE. The Bushy Park s*le continues to agitate tha miuds of the suburban electors of Wellington, aud the Hod, Me M'Kenzie was properly cornered regarding ib at his meeting at Karon last night. " Will your sous hand tha estate over at the price they paid for it ?" a«ked an elector. " No; not much," replied Mr M'Kenzie, and a roar of laughter from (he audience informed the Minister that he bad dif closed too much. At the end of the address a more important fac'o was elicited. The question was asked whether the Minister's sons had paid any money upon the land alone before getting possession of it, or whether the money had been paid only on stock and implements. Tha Minister fenced with th 1 ? question for a while by stating th*t his sons bad bought the stepk, plant, and implements before entering on the land. Pres^el agaiu for an answer tbe Minister rep'ied, " Go to Mr Atkinson for tint. He knows all »bout it " The questioner thou rose, and calmly reading the question again blftudly asked for an answer. The Minister coloured and blurted out;, " You will get no other answer from me to-night." And the elector caustically remarking " I did not think I would " subsided, while the audience laughed loudiy. A NEW LINE OF STPAMEItS. It is rumoured that a movement is on foot amongst business men m Sydney and Perth for the establishment of a line of steamers to run between Lytteltou, Wellington, Sydney and I'renaantle, aud it is stated that inquiries are beiog made in the Home market regarding the purchase of two suitable cargo and passenger hjats to start the service. In the fac.s of the keen competition tnat already exists in the steamer trade between Sydney, Melbourne, and fremantle, and the fact tbat veiy liUle back loading is obtainable, it is difficult to see how the proposed service could be nude to piy. IIUDDVRT, PARKER, AND CO 'S SEHVIOE. Tha Huudarfc, Parker, and Go.'a new steamer Wesfcralia is likely to supersede the Anglian in the New Zealaud-A.ustralian trade, and the Tasmania will shortly have additional psssengn 1 accommodation put in her. Cipbaiu Ball, who 's well known in connection with the Huddart-Pnrker service, will have command of the Westralia. THE WRECK OF TOE ZOLEIKA. In searcbiug the Zu'e.ka wreckage yesterday Mr Walsh (postmaster at Danevirke), one of the pa.Esei.gers by the Tutanekai, came across a copy of the New Testament which bad been presented to the apprentice Summers, who was drowned, by his Suadiy school superintendent j in Sc9tl»cd for good attendance in 1889. The j book has been handed over to Captain Bfemner, i who has promised to tend it to the deceased lad's parents. Captain Bremner is a heavy lo3fr by the wreck, having lost ail his clothing and effects, books, navigating instruments, and 40 sovereigns. A tin box containing t'ae ship's paper 3 has been found, but the contents li&ve been somewhat damaged by salt water. The | Rhip's I:ODk3 have been very nently kept. ] The scene at the burial of the bodies on shore was raost impressive A photograph of the scene at the grave was tiken by Cspjain ! Grfepnstrper, oF the II mutaka, who went to j Palliser B&y in the Tutautk.i. THE SUBURBS ELECTION. j The result of the Suburbs election is not so close aa was anticipated. Still, Mr Atkinson made a good fight against grout odds, aud the

Opposition have gained considerable ground ia the electorate since last election, Mr Atkinson having succeeded in reducing the Government majority by 112.