POLITICAL GOSSIP IN WELLINGTON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7989, 6 October 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP IN WELLINGTON.

ATKINSON MISMANAGING AFFAIRS. [FBOM OUB OWN COBBESPONDENT.J Thubsday, October 6.—As I wired yesterday, the Opposition caucus did not eventuate as had been arranged, in consequence of the small number of members here. The affair was not well managed, for four of the most prominent of the Opposition members don't know anything about the arragements. The fact_ that_ Atkinson has taken Sir P. Whitaker into his confidence has caused a good deal of discontent among the members of the Opposition, who fancy they see in this indications of a return of the old party to power. However a meeting will be held at four this afternoon, at which the situation will be discussed. PORTFOLIO HUNGER. Major Atkinson is said to be quite confident, but I think he hap little cause, for portfolio hunger is raging among his most steadfast supporters. It is thought probable that if he does not meat with success in forming a Government, it will be known at to-day's meeting, and a sort of nominating committee will be appointed. Captain Russell and Mr. Mitchelson are said to be certain, but Sir J. Hall is doubtful, and seeing the scarcity of lawyers on the Opposition side, Sir F. Whitaker may go in instead. THE SPEAKER OP THE HOUSE. Sir M. O'Rorke will be speaker, and Mr. Hamlin chairman of committees. VOGEL'S STRENGTH IN PARLIAMENT. There is, of course, any amount of speculation relative to the outcome of tbe political entanglement. The rejection of Messrs. Bryce and Rolleston placeß Major Atkinson in a difficulty with regard to consulting the old leader of his party, and is considered to have cleared the way for new combinations, and making openings on the Cabinet for entirely new men. The strength of Sir Julius "Vogel's personal following, however, is an awkward factor which any new Government that does aot include the Treasurer yvill have to count upon, and although Major Atkinson will probably negotiate first of all with his own party, so much disappointment will probably be felt by expectani ofiice-Beekers than an adverse vote of the House would force a coalition. BALLANCE'S PARTY. Mr. Ballance believes that there is a chance of re-fojming the Liberal party, and is endeavouring to unite the Radicals in the House into a party distinct from tbe Atkinbon and Vogel sections, forming a kind of third party. Sir Robert 3tout's defeat, and the strained relations between Sir George Grey and Mr. Ballunce are, however, obstacles to the success of this movement. GREY HOSTILE TO HALL-ATKINSON MINISTRY. Sir George Grey is biding his time and is reticent. He evidently does not wish to commit himself to an opinion until h« becomes more familiar with the new members of the House. He is, however, all alert and you may depend upon it that any Hall-Atkinson Ministry will have to count upon the hostility of the knight of Kawau. ATKINSON FINDS A DIFFICULTY IN FORMING STRONG MINISTRY. Then there will be some trouble in getting anything like a majority of the House to give Major Atkinson, or any other leader, an unconditional pledge of! support; and if seoing his way to an absolute majority is an indispensable condition to the formation of a Cabinet he will have to hand the duty over to other hands. Major Atkinson's tactics are directed towards discovering the feeling of the party with regard to Sir John Hall and other leaders, and if he feels that he has anything like a strong support for the Premiership, he will take it, and trust to his policy and his whips to carry him through. VOGEL PREPARING HIS PARTY FOR FIGHT. Sir Julius Vogel has a compact party of twenty-five members, and is ready to go into opposition confidently believing that he will be in a position to overthrow any Government which may be formed out of the hetereogenous elements in the House. THE RISE IN NEW ZEALAND STOCK EXPLAINED. A Press Association telegram gives the following information regarding the rise in New Zealand inscribed stock:—" When the Jaßt New Zealand loan was floated a promise was given not to put another loan in the market until after the present month of October. The fear of this loan being brought out has kept down the price of New Zealand stock, notwithstanding tbat the half-yearly dividend was approaching. The arrangement made by the Colonial Treasurer to place the money in London, and 60 obviate the necessity of floating a loan, for some months, has already sent ap the price of Now Zealand stock a half per cent, and it is likely to rise within the next few weeks two per cent pt least additional." THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS. The N. Z. Times to-day thinks Major Atkinson will most likely be the Premier in the new Ministry, with Mr. Waterhouse and Sir J\ Whitaker. It also mentions tbat it is probable Sir J. Hall will not take office. The Opposition party are to be consulted on every step in forming the Government, and the task is not to be accepted until Major Atkinson is assured he has the support of his party.

The overdraft of the Taranaki County Council at the Bank of New Zealand was given at Wednesday's meeting as £2267 7s 9d. Lost, a valuable portfolio, containing Legal Documents relating to the Chateau de Corneville. Finder won't be rewarded unless he returns it before the performanance commences at the. Alexandra Hall to-morrow night.—Advt. As electricity is superior to gas, so is Crook's American Dried Yeast superior to all baking powders. Sold by all grocers in 2d and 6d packets and 7lb tins. It stands on its own merits, and has only to be tried once.—R. Cook, Brougham-street, Wholesale Agent for Taranaki. 2 It is officially announced that the War Office is willing to allow general officers to inspect Australian forces every two years. No doubt the War Office is, and will also permit the colonies to pay for the "Ah, All's " summer pleasure trip to Australia and Now Zealand. There is no war going on juat now, and the " would bo's " are always on the lookout for some way of passing their leisure time at other people's expense. We hope the authorities of New Zealand ivill decline the honor. The young Lord Carmarthen, in conducting a canvass for election to the British House of Commons, exhibited a sharp wit. During a speech ho made several happy retorts upon persons who Bought to annoy him. Among them was thiß: " Does your mother know you're out ?" was asked. " She does," replied the little lord, "but she hopea to bear, pa Tuesday that I «w in»"

COUNTY OOUNOIL. The Council met on Wednesday. Present: Messrs. J. Elliot (chairman), Kelly, Cufcfield, Syme, Stevenson, Morris, Price, Smith, and McGregor. Accounts. —Accounts amounting to'£2sß were passed for payment. ( Road Maintenance. —Tenders for keeping the County roads in repair in sections for one year were opened, the lowest being:—South Road: section 1, H. Geortje, £175 ; section 2, 0. E. McGuinness, £91 ; section 3, N. Julian, jun., £77 13s; section 4, T. Scevenson, £55; section 5, T. Stevenson, £61; section 6, E. O'Sullivan, £86 ss; section 7, R. Pepperill, £127. . North Roid : seotion 1, J. Holmes, £113; section 2, C. Dunn, £134 Is Bd. Junction Road : section 1, Jackes & Co., £104 : j section 2, Leary and James, £90. Mountain Road: section 1, 0. Dunn, £28; section 2, Brough and Clarke, £130; section 3, J. Mulree, £24 8s 9d.—Mr. McGbegob proposed, and Mr. Stevenson seconded, "That the following persons' tenders for maintenance of roads for one year ending October 30, 1888, be accepted." —(as above). Hospital Rate. —Mr Smith moved, '• That a rate of £d in the £ for hospital and charitable aid purposes be struok." — : Mr. SyMfi seconded the proposition. After : some discussion the Chaibman moved as an amendment, " That a rate of £ of Id be i struck." This was seconded by Mr. Stevenson, and lost on the voices. Tfie motion was then put, and carried on the ' voices. General Rate. —lt was decided to strike a general rate of fd in the £ for the current year. Pembroke Road. — Messrs. MehofEy, Capper, and Reed, settlers on the Pembroke Road, wrote stating that they would fill up a gully gear their sections at their , own expense, and the Council could get the deferred payment thirds from the ! Land Board accruing from their lands for them. —The matter was left to the Ohair- , man. Egmont Road. — The Egmont Road . Board applied for 800 yards of metal from , the Waiwukaiho river bed, at 3s 6d per , yard.—The application waß granted. [ OaJcura. — The appointment of the . Oakura Road Board as trustees for the ; cemetery reserve, was confirmed. ; Hospital—Mr. J. C. Davies, secretary I of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, , wrote requesting the Council to pay £288, [ their share of contribution towards fur- , mailing the new hospital. —The matter was deferred. Waitara.—The Raleigh Town Board wrote pointing out the neod of a culvert near the West School. The work was to be done, the Overseer giving the cost at £10 15s. Treasury.—-The Government subsidy for tne year 1886-7 amounted to £799 17s. . 6d. > Impounding Cattle. —The Waitara West Road Board asked the Council to allow , the Board's ranger to impound cattle from i county roads. —lt was agreed to write to the secretary of the Board requesting the settlers to forward a petition to the Council praying in accordance with the request. Dangerous Places.—lo. the Overseer's report it was pointed out that it was advisable to fence off dangerous places on \ the roads. A sum of £30 was voted for such work. Excessive Rating.—The Property Tax | Commissioner requested that Mr. T. Bayly's name be added to the Manganui district as owner of 16,300 acres in the Pohokura Block, which was valued at £4075. Mr. Bayly objected to this valuation for the portion in Clifton County, and if he made a similar objection for the park in Taranaki County, the Council is authorised by section 10 of "The Rating Act, 1882," to ; make any reduction on the amount. Opunake. —A letter was received from L the Opunake Town Board requesting that , special conditions may be inserted in the , road contracts as to the keeping in order I of the main road through town districts, , such as Opunake.— The Council agreed to reply, and state that such conditions were i inserted in the contracts. , Circular. —A circular was received from i the Colonial Secretary's office stating that , the day for the general election of County Councillors is the second Wednesday in • November, wbich this year falis on the 9th of the month, but as this day is generally observed as a holiday ia honor of the birth of the Prince of Wales, it had been suggested that it would be desirable to postpone the matter to the next Wednesday (16th). — The Council agreed accordingly. New Culvert. —A nine-inch pipe is to be put in at the Waiwakaibo, North Road, aB recommended by the overseer in his report. Tne Council adjourned.