WELLINGTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3351, 4 January 1879, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

[special.]- Jan. 3. The Fernglen is ; to. come hero immediately from Nelson with most of her immigrants, as labour is not so much required in Nelson. The criminal statistics of Wellington for the past two years show that crime is not only relatively but absolutely decreasing, notwithstanding the largo number of persons added to the population within the period. In 1876 there were 616 committals, of whom 512 were men, and 104 women. In 1877 there were 527 committals, 436 males and 91 females, or a decrease of 89. During the. year just ended thero were 430 committals, 358 males and 72 women, a decrease being thus shown of 97 on 1877, or 186, nearly 33 per cent, on the number of committals in 1876. J. A. Mackay, late manager of tho Band of Now Zealand at the Hutt, was committed for trial for forgery. A customer of the bank named Thos. Mahey gave him a cheque signed in blank to draw out a balance of £81 from Patea. The inspection coming on, Mackay filled this up for £1300 and passed it as cash. An unexpected audit a few days after disclosed tho fraud. Mackay was also committed on a charge of larceny of £1310 from the bank. / This morning a large deputation interviewed the Hon J. Macandrew re the railway station site. Mr Macandrew promised that at least a passenger platform should be placed near Mills' foundry. He said tho GovernJmont intended to reclaim 20 acres additional, and carry out tho wharf Bhown on the plan. . The Government expected the Thorndon re- [ claimed land to realise nearly half a million, ; with which money an immediate commencel mont woidd be made of the West Coast line [ to connect with the Wunganui lines. Careful I surveys of three routes were nearly completed. ? One promised to give a line in every way deairi able. The following scene occurred at the de- , putation: His Worship the Mayor askod, withi out desiring to bo too pressing in the matter, > whether they might assume the two sections ; rdferred to would be withdrawn from sale, ' so as to bo used for a passenger station. Mr I Macandrew : If necessary. Mr Gardner said t that Mr Macandrew qualified his promise by b tho words "If nebessary." Mr Macandrew ■ thought that tho responsibility of the necesi sifcy or otherwise of any given course of action 3 should rest upon the shoulders of the depart- . ment. Mr Nathan did not agree with Mr Mac- - andrew on that point. He thought a great deal more weight hould be given to the wishes of

i tlie public under-th? Every interest in the cl^was_representedby the present deputation, and he'thought the Government should pay deference to 'their wishes. (Hear, hear.) This was not a political matter, it was a matter purely of common sense, and what they asked was for the good and the interests of the public", and whether it should be carried out or not, should not be left altogether to the Department. They knew quite as well as the Department what they wanted. At the present time they had to pay 2s 6d cartage on goods to the Railway, whereas, were the station more centrally situated they would have to pay only Is. This represented a good deal on the sales. (Hear, hear.) • The people of Wellington under such circumstances should have something more than a half promise from Government. (Hear, hear.) Otago had not to sue in tliis manner for what she wanted. (Hear, hear.) This was a necessity, and they had a right to demand that their wishes should be complied with. (Hear, heai\) Mr Macandrew informed Mr Nathan that he did not intend to go on the stump. Mr Nathan did not intend to go on the stump either. This was not a political matter, and he did not desire to introduce politics. Mr Macandrew (to Mr Nathan) : " You might have saved your virtuous indignation." He was of opinion that the public works department had a right to bo judges of what was necessary. (Cries of no ! no .') Mr Nathan thought the people ought to know best what they wanted, and had a right to ask for that. Mr Macandrew thought the people did not always know what was best for them. However, he had nothing further to say in the matter. He had no personal interest to serve, but he did not think Government could afford to give up all the reclaimed area which would be necessary. Mr Dransfield pointed out that they only asked that the two sections referred to should be reserved. Mr Macandrew understood Mr Nathan to practically ask Government to give up all of it for railway purposes. (No, no.) Mr Macandrew continued to say that all he could promise the deputation was that the reserve asked for should be made if it were found necessary. There were landed from the Otaki yesterday 1700 rounds Armstrong shot and shell for guns already in the Colony. ! The gate takings at the Caledonian gamc3 ; on New Year's Day amounted to £165 7s 6d, Tilting at the ring was on the programmee, but there were no genuine entries. After the sports were over, however, two persons insisted on enteringfor tilting, and threatened the directors with legal proceedings if they were not allowed to compete. The desired permission therefore was accorded, on which the two claimants went through the form of tilting, and in the absence of any other competitors necessarily carried off the two prizes. S. J. Hill, who has for some time been in gaol for contempt in disobeying an order of ] the Supreme Court not to molest his wife, there being a deed of separation, was released to-day. Local nominations for 83 adults will be sent home per mail to-morrow. j The second prize of £400 in Hughes' sweep was drawn by Mrs Harry Bennett, of the Commercial Hotel. Mi* Varley, the lecturer, sails South on Monday. Colonel Fielding has presented a very handsome " Communion Service" to the Anglican Church at Fielding. A Gazette issued to-day extends the boundaries of Nelson Borough, and contains an Order in Council making a change in the Telegraph Regi^ations, so as to legalise special wire arrangement, and give evening papers 1500 words per day at evening The Hon. G. M. Waterhouse, Mr W. T. L. Travers, and Mr Thomas Mason reappointed Governors oE the New Zealand Institute.