POLITICAL GOSSIP IN WELLINGTON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8006, 27 October 1887, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP IN WELLINGTON.

OPUNAKE HARBOR BILL. Major Atkinson's Bill to constitute a Harbor Board for the Port of Opunako has been circulated. The preamble sets forth that, " Whereas the propprty-holders of the Opunake Town District are desirous of forming a Harbor Board, with powers to borrow money to construct hirbor works at the Port of Opunake suitable to the requirements; be it therefore enacted," &c. The Town Board of Opunake is conaiituted under the Bill a Harbor Board, subject to the provisions of the Harbors Act, 1878, and Acts amending the same. Borrowing powers are given up to £20,000, and it is provided that the Board may construet — (1). Such breakwaters, embankments, walls, docks, quays, wharves, piers, and jetties as shall be by the Board considered necessary for the requirements of the port; j (2), and do all things neceßßary for the improvement of the navigation o£ the bay. THE EDUCATION VOTE. There is a good deal of speculation respecting probable retrenchment in the Education Department, and there is reason to believe that a good deal of saving will be made therein. The Government have been urged to raise the miuimuin school age to seven years, and aa there are 21,024 children at school under that age, a saving of £85,000 would be made in that direction. It is believed, however, that the minimum will be made six years as a compromise. There are 2190 children over the school age attending school, and it is improbable these will be allowed to attend any longer. It is an interesting fact that the averago a^e of the First Standard is nine years, and that after this age one standard is passed each year. It is expected that the capitation will bo reduced by 4a per head to £3 15s. THE RIVAL ROUTES. The subject of the Trunk Railway route is greatly exercising the Post, which points out that the central route was conclusively chosen in 1884, after a bitier fight, by a committee consisting ofSouthern members, and that Mr. Mitchelsou, though his interests and prejudices were in favour of the Stratford route, gave evidence overwhelmingly in favour of the Central route. Alluding to comparisons made between the railway arrangements in the Auckland and Wellington districts, the article says that if Wellington has become connected with the West Coast Government lines, and will in time be with those o£ the East Coast, it is because Wellington undertook for itself the work which the Government declined to do. Had it not been for local enterprises we should still have been cut off from communication with the West Coast by the Paikakariku hills, and the Lonsbeach road thence to Foxton. Let Auckland take example by what Wellington has done, and if it wants to bo connected direct with Taranaki, let it make this connection itself by private enterprise. Such a course would command public respect, whereas it is impossible to feel anything but contempt foi the efforts being made without the shadow of a chanse to induce the meeting of Parliament to sanction what would be a distinct act of repudiation and bad faith, as well as one of reckless and wasteful extravagance.