WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6123, 9 March 1898, Page 4

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

TFf.om 01-r Correspondent" l WELLINGTON, March S. THE BTE-E LECTION. A certain amount of confidence, perhaps not so much as was present a few weeks ago, still manifests itself amongst the supporters of the Labour and Liberal candidate in connection with the result of to-morrow's polling. Amongst those who are considered well informed it is stated that Mr Kirk will top the poll by a majority of at least 250 votes. This evening there is an unprecedented flood of election talk. There are no fewer than six meetings to he addressed by Mr Kirk; the Premier, Ministers and others, while there are two meetings at which Messrs Duthie, George Hutchison, Scobie M'Kenzie and Dr Newman will speak. Interest of a rather extraordinary nature was developed in respect to the election at noon to-day when Mr A. E. Atkinson was addressing the wharf labourers in Mr Duthie's interest. He had been commenting on what he considered were the too frequent visits of the Premier to a certain hostelry in this city, and had made some uncomplimentary references to the landlord of the house. In all probability a somewhat garbled account of these utterances was conveyed to the publican, who, being of a somewhat burly and muscular build, elbowed his way through the crowd to the express from which Mr Atkinson was speaking. He addressed the speaker somewhat excitedly, and at the same time he made as if to strike Mr Atkinson, -who, however, evaded the blow. After this things got decidedly mixed. By some means the wheel of the vehicle was unchained, and the express was put in motion. Despite repeated attempts, Mr Atkinson was unable to secure a further hearing, and the meeting broke up into a series of pugilistic encounters amongst the audience, Mr Atkinson wildly calling on the police to arrest the whole crowd. A REFUTATION. It will be remembered that at the by-ele6tion in Dunedin last year a great deal of political capital was attempted to be made against the Government by Mr A. C. Begg with respect to that gentleman's resignation from a position he held in Messrs Robert Campbell and Sons, which resignation, he implied, had been necessitated by political pressure being brought to bear on his principals. As an attempt has been made during the present election campaign here to discredit the" Government over this matter it is well to know how matters exactly stand. The following voluntarijy tendered correspondence shows the true position of affairs. " Otekaike, Oamaru, Feb. 11, 189 S. Eight Hon E. Seddon, LL.D., M.H.E., Wellington — Dear Sir, — The Directors of Messrs Eobert Campbell and Sons, Limited, have forwarded to me a copy of the letter sent to Mr A. C. Begg, intimating that his services as general manager would no longer be required. I herewith enclose a copy of the same. I can onl^ say, ( I much regret the course taken by ilr Begg in his public address, . and ;hope that this letter is .sufficient answer to it.— l am, sir, y'crars faithfully, E. C. Campbell? 1 The enclosure is as follows :— " Eobert Campbell and Sons, Limited, London. Dashwood House, 9, New Broad Street, E.C., Oct. 16, 1896. Alexander C. Begg, Esq., Dunedin. Dear Sir, — I am instructed by the Board to inform you that owing to the disastrous state of the trade, and with a view to reduce the working expenses of tho company as far as possible, the directors have resolved to close the office at Dunedin at the end of the current New Zealand, year on, June 30 next, and to make new . arrangements . for the management in New Zealand from that date, consequently it is necessary for them to give you notice that your agreement with the company will have to terminate at that time. It is with regret that the directors feel compelled to give yon this notice, but many of the largest holders of shares in the company are not satisfied that its present unfortunate state is wholly attributable to unavoidable circumstances, and have strongly urged upon the Board the necessity of making certain changes in the conduct of the business which inter alia include the abolition of the Dunedin office. Please therefore give whatever notice may be necessary of the company's intention to give up possession of it on June 30, 1897, or as near thereto as may be practicable. — Yours faithfully, A. G. Korley, secretary."