Wellington.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 42, 20 June 1890, Page 2

Wellington.

Political. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

The Parliamentary Buildings are undergoing their usual pre-sessional scrub out. Metaphorically speaking, the Cabinet are also having their intellectual chambers rubbed up a bit, with a view to putting upon their policy as bright a face as possible when the " faithful Commons " meet. Before this letter is in the hands of your readers the " pomp and circumstance " usually attending the opening ceremony will have been a thing of the past, and reinvigorated members will have settled down to the work of the session. It is now generally known that the Premier's health will not admit of his leading the House during the session, and in consequence speculation is rife as to the effect this will have upon the fortunes of the Continuous Ministry and the party thaq. has kept them in power so long. Many rumours are afloat as to who will be Sir Harry's successor, but the one that finds most acceptance is that Mr Mitchelson—the Premier's faithful ally—will succeed to the leadership. The names of Captain Russell and Sir H. Whitaker are also mentioned in this connection, and even Sir John Mall is deemed a probable man for the position, but, as already said, Mr Mitchelson is almost sure to wear the mantle. It is said that Mr Ballance intends to move a vote of want-of-confidence immediately upon the assemblage of Parliament; that he has "pricked the cards," and is certain that he will have a majority with him

in his motion. An appeal to the country would probably ensue, and there would still be another session of the present Parliament—and of course another honorarium. The programme is not a popular one, and it is to be hoped that it will not be carried. As this is the last session of the present Parliament, the best course would be to let it die a natural death, and it is to be hoped that during the coming session only necessary business will be undertaken, the "shutters" quietly put up, and any further legislation relegated to the Parliament which will shortly be elected under the new Act. I notice the member for Wairau responded to the "poke-up" the Express gave him, and consented, unwillingly I presuime, to say something about the situation, but his views upon the matter are of little moment, as he is a docile and silent supporter of the Government, and is a failure at giving a reason for the faith that is in him.— Mr Richardson has returned from the South after addressing his constituents. Contrary to anticipation, he said nothing whatever about the Government policy, which is construed to mean that Mr Fergus is, notwithstanding all that has been said to the contrary, in-harmony with the other members of the Cabinet in his late . speech at Queenstown. Victims to Intemperance.

Two very bad cases of " Found Drowned " are reported'-' this week, both of which were proved to be the result of intemperance. The first was that of a surveyor named John Henderson'Derham, who leaves a wife and family behind him. He was last seen about three months and a-half ago, and since then efforts to obtain a clue to his whereabouts have failed. From some remarks that were made recently the police were induced to search an old well'at Mitchelltown, and succeeded in finding the body. Deceased had previously hinted at doing away with himself, and this gave a clue to his end. The other case was that of a young woman named Delia Lenahon, formerly employed as a barmaid in several hotels here. Latterly she gave way to drink, and her body was found in the harbour.

Coppopation Troubles. " The troubles that afflict the just in numbers many be." So says a high authority. However, it may be a debateable point as to whether the City Council are entitled to be designated by the abstract noun in the quotation. At any rate, Mr Maguire, the contractor for the Thorndon reclamation, will debate the point, and be more inclined to affirm the assertion that " corporations have neither souls to be saved nor "—but you know the balance of the modern proverb. Mr Maguire makes a claim for £2OOO as " extras " in connection with his contract, which, it is acknowledged by all, has been carried out in a most excellent manner. The Council has decided that the contractor has no legal or moral claim to payment for the work in dispute. The matter will probably form the subject of an action at law, with the usual unfortunate result to the corporation, that of being mulcted for the sum total of the claim and costs.—Another trouble over which the Council are having a bad quarter of an hour is the completion of the purchase of ground for a new cemetery. At the present rate of interments, the burial ground now in use will be full in three months, and it is asserted that the conditiqn thereof is such as to make it answerable for a considerable amount of the sickness prevalent for some time past. Notwithstanding this pest and the notoriously bad drainage of the city, I notice from the Registrar's annual returns that Wellington shows by no means the highest death record amongst the cities of the Colony.

Cost of Living.

The cost of living in every department of domestic requirements is at present very high. The butchers recently put their heads together and raised the price of meat by about 50 per cent., but the howl of indignation that followed induced a moderation in the prices by one-half that amount.. People are naturally still dissatisfied, and a co-operative company has been formed to run in opposition to the combination that raised the price, and we are promised cheaper meat in the future. Milk, butter, vegetables, coal, flour, &c, have each advanced in price, and other articles of consumption are threatened to ." harden." This, it is asserted, is but the natural outcome of the higher rate of wages demanded by the various trades and labour unions.