WELLINGTON NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7201, 9 February 1892, Page 4

WELLINGTON NEWS.

[from oub own CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Feb, 8. CABINET HEBT-NG. The Cabinet meeting of which I advised you the othor day will be held to-morrow. All the Ministers will be present except Mr Ward, who, it ia hoped, will represent the Government in Chriatehurch at the Governor's banquet. The business will be of the first importance. What that business will be, I have, of course, not been able to ascertain. I have an idea, however, that the Legislative Council appointments will have a turn on the board. The Post, I notice, is very muoh exercised about theße, insisting that the Government intends to ask for a sufficient number of appointments to "swamp" the present adverse majority. It is a point about which I have made inquiries, but Minißterß are reticent. lam able to report, however, that they declare all newspaper reports and surmises hitherto published to be quite unauthentic, and therefore completely untrustworthy. The I Post's declaration of this evening being in that category, it is unnecessary for me to make further reference to it. THB MINISTER FOB EDUCATION. The visit of the Minister for Education to Canterbury, which was postponed lately on account of press of Ministerial business, has not been abandoned. Mr Beeves hopes to be able to be in Christchurch by Feb. 20, with a view to a few days' visit. TBB MINISTERIAL JOURNAL. The interest in the Ministerial paper which is coming out grows apace. In newspaper circles nothing else is talked about, nnd the wildest rumours are current. One set of men will tell you, with emphatic glee, that the naw paper will be run on cheap lines, no telegrams, no cables, i.e., none o. these things as supplied by the Press Association. Tbey hint at a perfunctory sort of service of cables from Sydney, quality not quantity, for use as a cover for a policy of piracy. Their idea is that there can be no money in the thing, that it must be poverty-stricken, and they are scornful in proportion. Another set of critics fly to the opposite extreme. Tbe new people, according to them, are rolling in riches; enormous suma have been subscribed and will be forthcoming, and will be deposited in the strongest of all banks, and out of that great treasury will issue the funds for the purchase lock stock and barrel, of one or other of the existing journals. Some even go ao far as to declare that all the three will be bought up at fabulous prices. This is of course the merest pleasantry. What has happoned, so far aa I have been able to ascertain, is this. The necessity for a Liberal organ has been demonstrated by the curious state of the Wellington Press in the Opposition interest, and the demonstration has been followed by a determination among the Liberals, strong and wide, to establish a Liberal organ. The movement haß taken a practical direction. The promoters have had many meetings^ At the last of these, held to-day, tho financial prospect was found to be very good indeed. The assembled promoters discussed their plans, and came unanimously to a conclusion to refuse to give any information ; but it was evident that they were very well pleased with their position. That, all whom I have seen take no pains at all to conceal. Just before penning this despatch I hear that very likely something definite will transpire to-morrow. BANQUKTB. More banquets. Dr Newman is to have one at Petone at an early date, at which the Hon Mr Rolleston and other leading members of the Opposition are to have the privilege of airing their eloquence. A little bird whispers that the Conservative interest in the borough of Petone need not be considered to bo, in consequence of these things, paramount. RUMOURS. A big rumour was current to-day that Mr Fisher had resigned, but I find on inquiry that it is no more than a big gooseberry. The Evening Press has the following :—•* On dit that Mr Harkneaa will not have any chance of Nelsou should he again contest that constituency. Perhaps he may be induced to run for a seat in the Taranaki district, where he has a farm." Mr Harkneaa, I may remark, has lately been telling the Nelsonians, as you know from the report of the festive proceedings in the Jubilee city, that he might have joined the Government if he had chosen to alter his political principles. That is, of course, aa I learn on enquiry, a perfectly gratuitous work of the Harknesa imagination. As to the rumour of the Press (a feeler) I can only say that Mr Harkness has shown great diligence of late in visiting that farm in Taranaki. The wags say it will be wonderful if he and Mr Hutchison, junr., should clash in the particular Taranaki seat in view. At all events the Harkness chances at Neleon Beem small. TAXATION. I hear, on good authority, that a financial magnate; lately arrived here from London, has given reassuring news of the effect of the Government policy of taxation. According to him the scare is subsiding, people having discovered that the Times and Economist have been " barking up the wrong tree," and that the accounts sent Home at first were too confused and confHoting, and altogether untrustworthy.

Thk Show Gbound3. — The aub-oommittee of tha Agricultural and Pastoral Assosiation appointed to consider the question of providing additional seating accommodation at the Addington show grounds reported yesterday that it had been unable to obtain satisfactory tenders for erecting temporary accommodation to cost -2100. It was accordingly decided to instruct the sub-committee to bring up a plan, for a permanent stand, costing not more than -ESOO, and to obtain an expression of opinion as to the feasibility of raising the necessary funds from individual members of the Association. " Arab " and " Shah" Brand Teas, from al grocer*** and storekeepers. "Ask for Hyslop's Indian and Ceylon Teas They bear tbe mall<»t profit" and are bestvalnae." l A perfeot beverage, " Arab " and I Bhah ' Bxaad Teas, 2s apd 2s 4d per lb.