THE NEW DEFENCE BOARD.

ITS PROBABLE COMPOSITION. THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL, Under the new Defence Bill which was introduced into the House of Representatives by the Premier this week provision is made for a board of four members to control military matters in the colony. It is rumoured that the board will probably consist of Colonels Robin, C.8., Davies, C.8., and Collins, and Mr. Geo. Gray. The two first-named officers will be the military experts of the boaTd, holding equal powers, Colonel Collins will be the financial expert, and Mr. Gray, who has been chief clerk of the Defence Department for many years, will be the board's secretary. In selecting one of the officers of the Treasury as the financial member of the board, the Government will be following tho Australian precedent. The three gentlemen whose names are mentioned as comprising the expert members of the board are well" known throughout the colony. Colonel Robin who is at present the Officer Commanding the Otago Voluriteer District, is a native of Dunedin. and he won distinction as the Commander of the First Contingent which New Zealand sent to tho South African War. Colonel Davies, who was second in command of the same contingent- and afterwards commanded the Eighth Contingent, was a surveyor tin Taranaki before he became a military officer. He is now in command of tho Auckland Volunteer District. Both are popular commanders and enthusiastic supporters of the volunteer movement. Colonel Collins, of Wellington, will not only be a valuable member of the board as its financial expert, but he has had a lengthy experience as a volunteer officer and has been in charge of the annual meeting of the Rifle Association at Trentham for several years. It is further announced that the position of Inspector-General, which is also to bo created under the Defence 'Bill, will not be filled for some time, and that an Imperial officer will be selected. As "the Premier (Sir Joseph Ward) will visit England in connection with the Imperial Conference of Premiers, which is to be held in London in April next, it is not unlikely that the Government may hold ovet tli6 appointment of InspectorGeneral until the Premier has personally conferred with the military authorities at Home. Two names are mentioned in connection with the new position of InspectorGeneral of our Defence Forces — Major Madocks and Major O#.n — both of whom are at present living in England- Major Madocks served with distinction with New Zealand's First Contingent in South Africa, and won his majority for Lis bravery at- New Zealand Hill, Colesberg. Major Owen, was for several years in chaTge of the Military School of Instruction in New Zealand, and retired from, the British Army's active li&t in order to accept a reappointment in the colony. ,It is understood that both gentlemen would return to New Zealand if the 'opportunity offered, and both were popular in the colony.

Mr. T. A. Eraser, officer in charge of the Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast stock districts, is at present in Wellington. He has resigned the position, and will leave the service at the end of the year. Mr. Fraser has been in the Government eorvice since 1892. H© was first of all in the Lands Department, but since 1895 he has been connected with the Agricultural Department.A meeting of tho local committee .of the St. John Ambulance Association was held yesterday afternoon, Mr. C. P. Powles presiding. There were also present Dr. Agnes Beunett, Mesdames J. G. Findlay, L. Menzies, .S. A. Rhodes, and W. Young, Mr. H. H. Seed, and the secretary. The resignation of Mrs. W. A. Logan (who is leaving Wellington for some time) was reoeivod with regret. The custodian of the horse ambulance was instructed to hayo overdue fees collected as soon as possible. There is a large amount outstanding. Intimation was given that Mrs. S. A. Rhodes would be invested with the iceignia of honorary associateship of tho Order of St. John of Jerusalem at Government House, by his Excellency the Governor, on Monday next. Arrangements for the forthcoming bazaar in aid of tho fund for nursing the sick poor are progressing well, and tho function will be opened on Wednesday next by Lady Plunket. Mr. J. D. Avcry was appohited secretary of the centre, and it was decided that his appointment should date from Ist January next. All who arranged to sell tickets in connection with the Wellington Private Nurses' Association ball are requested to send money and unsold tickets to 'the secretary before Monday, 22nd inst. Dr. M'Donald, well known foT the part he had played in advocating the "White Australia" policy, has, promised to give a lecture, on the evolution of trades unionism, on 24th October, under the auspices of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council. In connection with ths opening of the rowing season to-morrow the s.s. Duchess will leavo the Ferry Wharf at 2.30 p.m Particulars are advertised. • On and after Ist November next the charges for 'an ordinary telegram will be one halfpenny per word, and for an "urgent" telegram' one penny per word, with minimum rates of sixpence and one shilling respectively. At the weekly meeting of the members of th© junior department of the Young Men's Christian Association, held at tho rooms last night, ninety lads attended, full of enthusiasm, to give a welcome to the incoming acting-secretary during Mr. Holmes's leave of absence. Mr. J. W. Black, at short notice, owing to th© indisposition of Mr. C. H. Jones) gave an address touching upon the anniversary of Trafalgar Day Centenary, and took tho keynote *' England expects 'every man this day will do his duty." During tho evening silver medals were presented to Ernie Fossette for attendance (given by Mr. D. ' Gillies) and ono to W. J. Smith for most points in gymnastic competition (given by the instructor of the gymnasium). 'Mr. Cecil Jones, acting secretary, spoke a few words to the lads. Cheers were given' for Mr. C. Jone3 and for Mr. Holmes, and a resolution was paesed hoping that tho latter would have good health, good voyage, and a safe return back to Wellington. In another column will bo found an announcement with referonco to tho second annual concert of tho Wellington College Old Boys' Association to bo held at tho Town Hall on Friday next, 26th inst. Judging by the success of last year's concert, there should bo a pleasant ontortainlnont for thoso who attend this year. Messrs. Macdonald, Wilson and Co. announco tho sale by auction on Monday next, at 2 o'clock, at their rooms, under instructions from the Collector of Customs, of 5 cases of overtime goods, comprising toys and games. They also announco a salo of household furniture at the residence), No. 56, Hanson-street, for Tuesday next, at 1.30 o'clock. In another oolumn it is announced that a 'bus has been ongaged by the proprietors of Highbury to carry intending buyoM to tho land on Saturday afternoon from tho Kelburno powor house. Tho convoyanco loavob the tram station at 2.30 p.m. and overy half hour until half past tour. PaEsengers will bo carried to and from tho land free ol charge, and will bo , supplied" with plant by a ropreeontniivo