WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5714, 6 November 1896, Page 6 (Supplement)

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

[PeohOto Coikkesfondent.] WELLINGTON, Nov. 2. . The Premier has taken the enemy by surprise with his excursion into the Patea district, and having .given a big speech in' the heart of the enemy's country, he is' going about following up the blow, in all the minor parts. No Government candidate for the Patea district has:yet been announced, but there is an' idea that a dark horse is ready in the: Ministerial stables, harnessed and fit for the fight. We shall see what we shall, see. At the end of the week the Premier is due' in Wellington, and will start at once, I believe, for his own constituency, where he does not propose to make a long stay, for; reasons which the telegraph has made obvious to the whole colony. Politics here are breezing up a little. Mr Duthie has, as you have no doubt be6n informed, been besought to save the country, and he - has reluctantly, of course, almost consented. It is a moral that he will consent. In the meantime the first appearance of Mr Hutcheson, the labour candidate, is the talk of the town. His meeting to-night in the Opera House was t"he most crowded that I have yet seen at any election, the place being packed to the utmost capacity. His speech was a bit raw, but it was full of stuff which showed backbone and a fairly level head. The audience recognised that he is of the right grit. A very good addition to the ranks of the Labour members he will be if he goes m, which I think is very probable. What other candidate the -Liberal Party .will put up has not yet been made known. There are difficulties, but the organisation is jubilant, and hopes to be proof against scattering tactics.