WELLINGTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 550, 2 September 1869, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

("from our own correspondent.) August 24. Everything in the political world indicates the drawing near of the close of the session. Monday sittings commenced yesterday ; Members talk of the House meeting at 12 o'clock of a daj ; and the Premier the other night threatened, if Mr Stafford and his party threw any opposition in the way of the completion of the business, to recommend the dissolution of the House. So matters are pushed forward as quickly as possible, and in a fortnight more I shall most probably have to tell you of the prorogation. So thoroughly is the House intent on business that little of any interest takes place. Last night there was a stiff debate in Committee of Ways and Means over the Colonial Treasurer's resolution proposiug an import duty on cereals. In the course of the debate he prophesied that before long the House would be divided into two parties, for and against Protection. His eloquence, however, failed to convince the House, but I suppose Ministers expected this, as they had announced that they did not intend to make tho question a Ministerial one. On a division being taken it was lost by 25 to 22. Tho effect of this will be to leave the Government £l-1,000 short on their estimates.

The question of Provincial Loans was opened again by a motion by Mr Macandrew, to the effect that the Otago Province be permitted to borrow £50,000, to be expended in certain specified public works of importance. Nobody doubts Otago's solvency or ability to pay this, but the principle of UUUUUVO in the market for money is objectionable to most. Mr Fitzherbcrt made an admirable speech on the subject, and expressed his wish to see these small Provincial Loans stopped, and for the Colony to raise one large loan to be devoted to remunerative public works in different provinces Such a scheme, it is not unlikely, will be brought forward next session. Meantime Otago got permission to raise its loan.

En passant. It is not improbable that after the session is over Mr Fitzherbert may join the present Ministry as Treasurer. He has kept himself remarkably quiet all the session, and has not taken nearly so active a part in the Opposition as he might have been expected to do. He has spoken seldom and carefully, and people do not forget that he did not speak at all on the debate which cost the Stafford Ministry their seats. He could not but foresee the downfall, [and he might have remembered the story of the Phoenix. Mr Vogel has been gazetted Telegraph Commissioner, which almost looks like a preparation for the other step. _ Talking of the Telegraph Commissionership reminds me that on the motion of Mr Hall it was decided last night that the system of guarantees for stations should be abolished. At present, when the residents in a district through which the line of telegraph runs, desire the establishment of a station in their district, if the Department does not consider that the station would be self-supporting, it requires before opening it that the residents should guarantee the Department to the extent of £l5O per annum, and that if the receipts of the station do not amount to this they will make up the deficiency. In this way seven or eight stations throughout the Colony have been opened. But this system is now to be stopped and the stations to kept open without guarantee. New stations are also to be established at Leithßeld, Ashbnrton, Waimate, Mataura, and the Hutt. gist" is a good word I came across the other day in an English paper. It is given as the most recent addition to the language. H.M. s.s. Challenger, which has been on the New Zealand Coast for some time, and has been for most of the time in Wellington, started yesterday for Sydney to join the Plying Squadron. Commodore Rowley Lambert, Captain Brownrigg, and the other officers have made themselves much liked during their stay here, and will be greatly regretted. In any fun or amusement which was " on " they have entered heartily, and have contributed not a little to the gaiety of the season by balls and lunches on board, and by giving us the use of their band on every occasion when it could be useful. The lively sympathy felt by them, in common with other

naval officers on this station, for us in our Native difficulty has rendered the resolution of thanks to them which passed both Houses a few nights ago more than a mere formal parliamentary proceeding. As for the ladies, they have been going mad after the blue coats and epaulettes. Civilians and even red coats have been quite put in the shade. Speaking of the Commodore reminds me of a scene I saw in a barber's shop here the other day. The " Professor's " name is Rowley, and, like most of his profession, he is an eternal gossip, besides being quite a character. A customer, after enduring his chatter for some time, endeavored to start a new subject, and said " By-the-bye, Rowley, are you any relation to Commodore Rowley Lambert ?" The " Professor " paused for an instant and then replied "Well, Sir, I've thought of that before, but I don't think I am, for my father was the remnant of a hextinct family." Doctor Hector read a paper last Saturday evening to the members of the New Zealand Institute in the Maori House attached to the Museum. It was on the coal formations of New Zealand, and was the second of a series on mining matters. The work of raising the s.s. Taranaki is going on most favorably. She has been drawn inland at least eighty feet, and now lies nearly at the top of a s'leep shelving bank. A very little more raising will bring her on to a bank which shelves very slightly, and along which it will be easy work to draw her till she is fairly up. At present her masts are out of water. The work has progressed so far without a single check, and reflects considerable credit on Mr Seager, the engineer who has superintended it throughout. Again the Independent has changed its colors. After fighting for a short season for Mr Stafford and his party, it has returned to its old love, and, finding fault with measures it praised a few weeks ago, it worships the new reigning power. It is now edited by Mr A. Follett Halcombe, a relation of the Premier's, and a gentleman of no experience as a journalist. The search for gold, either alluvial or in quartz, is still being carried on by numerous companies here with unabated ardor. Several new ones for the purpose of prospecting have been formed, and more than one are already registered to work ground. As yet the results have been hopeful—no more.

The Native Lands Court has been sitting for the past six weeks to decide the question as to whether the inter-tribal title to certain lands purchased a little while ago in Manawutu was vestea in the JNgatiapa or the Ngatiraukawa. There were six issues tried, with which I need not bore your readers. The decision of the Court was eminently satisfactory, as it established the validity of the purchase. All that now remains to be done is to decide what quantities of laud have to be given to those hapus that objected (and had a right to do so) to the sale.

Mr St. John Branigan, who has for some years been connected with the Otago police, has accepted the appointment of Commissioner of Constabulary, aud has come to Wellington. It is hoped that ho will be as successful in organising the Colonial Constabulary as he has been with the Otago police.

Many of your readers who are Canterbury people will remember Mr F. M. Ollivier, a son of the present Provincial Auditor of Canterbury. He has been admitted to the New Zealand bar, and has entered into partnership here with Mr AV. T. L. Travers.

Another person many of your readers will remember is Mr E. I. Wakefield. He is now in Wellington lecturing on " How to make labor attractive in New Zealand." I fear his success is not great. Rumor says he came here with the intention of 'starting a paper, but, though he told mo some weeks ago that such was his intention, I have since heard nothing about it.

The line of telegraph between here and Wanganui is progressing rapidly, and may be expected to be completed in about six weaks. It will bo an immense boon to Wanganui, and will also greatly benefit "Wellington.