WELLINGTON NOTES.

(rROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT). Wellington, June 2. In consequence of heavy losses by fire along the coast during the month of May, the insurance companies will probably rebuild Courtenay's Hall, New Plymouth ; Prosßer's Hotel, Opunake ; and Smith's store, Otaki. The losses during the month are made up as follows:— Patea, £1500; New Plymouth, £12,000 ; Lepperton, £240 ; Opunake, £2500; Otaki, £1250 ; Normanby, £100 ; and smaller amounts for damage caused, by fire. Sir Julius Yogel has given a denial of Mr Bryce's statement, relative to the amounts authorised last session. Sir Julius Yogel shows wonderful powers of work. The Hon. Mr Tole has been suffering from a bad cold, but is getting better. The weather ia very unsettled lately. A colonial engineer, Arthur Bell, fourth son of Sir Dillion Bell, earned great kudos for the way the Auckland fortifications have been carried out. He is an old pressman, having been formerly engaged on the literary staff, of the Wellington Independent,