WELLINGTON.

Wanganui Herald, Volume V, Issue 16711, 6 February 1873, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

From our own correspondent. February 3rd, 1872

Among the projects under consideration that will affect this province considerably is one being " licked into shape " between the Provincial Government and Messrs Brogden for the reclamation of an acre or two of the harbour of Wellington, between the present reclaimed land and Pipitea point. Nothing definite has been arranged respecting this, further than should the undertaking be carried out it will be on certain specified terms. , Of course before the Provincial Government coiild close such an affair reference to the Provincial Council would be necessary. So far as I can learn the work if carried out will be at no expense to the province, as the present idea is to pay for it by giving a portion of the land reclaimed. On another portion it is probable that the Railway Station would be erected.

Chairini's circus arrived here yesterday morning by the Phoebe, and a performance is to be given to-night. The breed and quality of the horses have not been over-rated, I am inclined to think, from an inspection I have made of them in the various stables in town Avhere they have been lodged. They are all in splendid condition, as fat as if they had been fed up for a show, and finely made. The attention paid to them would astonish a Colonial groom. They are washed with soap and Avater each day, and as much care is taken of the manes and tails as ladies bestow on their " back-hair." The troupe costs CMarini, I am told nearly £1000 a Aveek, and considering the expenses of travelling lam not suprised at it. Of the Company I cannot speak further than that two of the Avomen are A rery pretty. I must not omit to mention two tiny ponies, exactly the same size, one Avhite and one black. It is a sight to see them, they are so fond of each other. The white one is stone blind, some brute of a man having put its eyes out to work a spite against the oAvner. They perform together, and the white knoAvs and folloAvs the black by its smell.

The annual general meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Socciety was held on Saturday night. The report which was read shows that 88 papers have been read before it during the past year. Twenty .of them were on Zoology, ten on Geology, three on Chemistry, live on Botany, and ten on miscellaneous subjects. The library has been largely increased by gifts and purchase, works of reference to the amount of £26 17s Gd have been ordered, and a case of type insects that will cost £50 is also being procured. The Society includes 142 members, twenty of whom have joined during the past year. The accounts show a credit balance of £95 10s 8d in hand. The rules of the Society were revised and slightly altered on Saturday night. While that work was being done, a long and animated discussion ensued as, to whether the donations of life members should be treated as revenue or be invested, but at length it being discovered that there were no life members belonging to the Society those present thought the question -could still remain in abeyance. But for that luckly discovery I believe they would be arguing the point now. I'll give you a suggestion as to a suitable souvenir, to be presented to Sir George Bowen previous to his departure from New Zealand :—A mirror with the following inscription found it, " Oh that the gods the gif Lie gie us, to see ourselves as others see us." Apropos of Sir George and Lady Bowen's departure the ball that will be given to Lady Bowen is intended to outshine any previously held in Wellington. It will be in the new theatre which with its new decorations will look brilliant. The tickets will be £2 2s double ones, single gents 30s, single ladies 15s. I see your Wanganui Cricket Club will not assist ours in getting up a

team to play Canterbury. It is a pity that any illfeeling should exist between them, and I am inclined to think both are to blame. Last time the Wan-ganui-ites came down here the Wellin«tonians really tried to do the hospitable, but with scarcely an exception they are men earning small salaries, and they could not afford to do as much as they would have liked. Still I don't think they did so badly. Well, your men went back and abused ours. Now after doing your best to be civil to a fellow its not pleasant to be " joed " by him. Yours complain that ours will not play return matches. Ours say that they have not been asked. I don't want to stir up a controversy. I'm not a cricketer. I should have liked to be able to say that Wangamii had shown a manly sportsmanlike spirit by shaking hands over past disagreeables, as was hoped would be the case when the invitation was sent to them.

The elections are over and you know the result. They have given rise to some sharp remarks on the conduct of one of the successful candidates who wont in on the shoulders of the opposing parties. Whether he, or those working for him, were to blame for the shall I call it "finessing"— : I can't say; but I am afraid, should he stand again for the Council or the Assembly, he will find that many, even among his friends, will remember it.

The new, governors of the Wellington College and Grammar School have got into hot water with the masters, and the consequence is, that the head master, the Rev. Mr Bowden, has tendered his resignation. It appears that they have held office for two months and have inaugurated a new state of matters, and yet they have never communicated with the masters, nor even asked them to continue to act till the new arrangements are complete. At the same time they have hinted pretty plainly that arrears of salary due to the masters when they took "over the school would not be paid. Nor is this all. Mr Bowden has built at his own expense a large class-room, and the accommodation in the school bein* insufficient, he has allowed it to be used. He asked the new governors if they would consider the question of giving him a small rental for the use of the class-room till the neM^ building is completed. They expressed surprise at the request, but generously said they woidd allow Mm to continue to use his own roo?n for the accommodation of their school With no recognition but snubbing, it is not surprising that he has resigned. The other masters will possibly sue the governors for the arrears of salary unless treated with a little more courtesy.

The neAv theatre will be opened on the 13th for a season of 24 nights. The Company includes Miss Aiken,Miss Anstead, Mrs Sam Howard, Miss Herberte, F. Rayner, who has just returned from a "starring" tour in America, and is well known iv Australia, Hydes, agoodlight comedian, Sam Howard, and eight or nine others. At the end of the first season new leading actors and actresses will be engaged, and the theatre opened for a second season.

Mr Brogclen's steamer is expected down here shortly. When the two others arrive, the N.Z.S.S. Company will find the difference, as they will meet with sharp competition. The public will reap the benefit in the shape of a reduction in fares, and they will not have so very long to wait for it. £4 from here to Lyttelton, and £8 to Dunedin is absurd. Half or a quarter of these fares would induce steamboat travelling. At present only those move about whoso business compels them.