WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3122, 19 February 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This day,

The Mayor of Wellington lias received from the Mayor of Hokitika an illuminated address got up by tbe Hokitika people as indicative of their respect and appreciation of Inspector James, recently transferred to Wellington.

It has been decided by a large majority of members of the Athenaeum 'to open that Institution on Sunday afternoons.

The Times this morning says that on reliable authority it is informed that Ministers, having intimated to the Governor it was not proposed to arrange for a guard of honor on the occasion of His Excellency's leaving Wellington, the Governor himself sent a direct order for a parade of armed Constabulary as a guard, which of course was formed.

The Times says another rumor is that Ministers endeavored to prevent firing a salute by the Volunteer Artillery, but as the Chronicle said last night, better coun. sels prevailed.

The R M. delivered the following decision this morning in the case of the collision between the steamer Huia and Go-Ahead:— "That both vessels were to blame, the cost of the inquiry to be divided between them and each to pay for its own repairs."

It is understood here that the Union Company have abandoned the Taupo to the underwriters.

The Yamboana left Sydney to-day tor Wellington.

At a meeting of master printers and newspaper proprietors, Mr Bidsbury, representing the Government Printing Office, being also present, it was resolved not to accede to the demands of compositors for increased, wages, such demands being considered quite unreasonable. Mr Didsbury informed the meeting that he had been instructed to close the Government Printing Office if the men persisted in their demands. The newspaper proprietors have arranged if the men go on strike to assist each other in bringing out their respective papers. Their publication as usual will, therefore, not be stopped, though possibly they will be issued at reduced sizes.

Tuesday.

Commercial confidence is on good authority reported to be restored here. Business is considered sound and legitimate. Commercial accommodation is freely accorded by the banks, but speculators, however, still find a difficulty in meeting their obligations, as money for mortgage purposes remains very scarce.

The Government s.b. Stella, with Messrs Bunny and Whitford, the Commissioners appointed to enquire into the working of the Jackson's Bay Settlement, and Mr Jordan, the secretary, leaves this evening for Hokitika, to call for Dr. Giles, the other commissioner, and proceed at once to Jackson's Bay.