WELLINGTON NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6126, 12 March 1898, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS.

[Per Press Association.! WELLINGTON, Mar~ch 12. The tenders received for the new library and additions to Parliament House are so high that the Government has determined to do the work under the co-operative system. It will not be possible to get more than the shell of the entrance to Parliament House up by the time of the usual opening of Parliament. The Premier is against guaranteeing in the matter of a cable from the Cape to Australia. He is inclined to stand by the Pacific route in preference, provided it touches New Zealand. Sir R. Stout is nominated for election to the Victoria College Council by a meeting of graduates. Messrs Firth and Meek are spoken of as the other two nominees, but nothing is settled. At a meeting of members of Mr Kirk's committee it was decided to form a (Liberal Electoral Association, Mr Kirk's various committees to form the nucleus of the Wellington branch. There have been strained relations for some time past between Mr Hutcheson, M.H.R , and some of his constituents, who do not consider that he worked as hard as he might have done for Mr Kirk. Mr Hutcheson strongly objects to what he terms party slavery, and claims the right to differ with his leader when his convictions are opposed to him. It is known that the Trades and Labour Council had a meeting about him this week, but it is understood that no action will be taken till Mr Hutcheson addresses his constituents. There will be much more interest in this meeting than in the usual postsessional addresses. The Premier will not attend the Postal Conference this year owing to the pressure of business in New Zealand. The commercial travellers' and seamen's votes have increased Mr Duthie's majority by five, making 1034. The official count gives the same result as that already published. Brown, a passenger by the Miowera, was arrested on the steamer's arrival, on a warrant from Sydney, charged with wife desertion. He paid .£BO into Court, and was allowed to proceed. A London cable of Jan. 10 says that the Canadian and Australian Company's legal formalities are completed. The appointment of Mr Cowan is confirmed ab liquidator. The regular service will now be efficiently maintained. The Aorangi, which arrived at Vancouver on March 5, averaged nearly fourteen Vnnts.