WELLINGTON NEWS.

[feom our own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Dec. 13. Sir Patrick Buckley will defer his departure for Europe nntil Minister* reassemble in Wellington about the middle of January. Mr Carroll's election for a Europoan constituency will not affect his position in the Cabinet as th 6 Minister representing the Native race. The fact that he is a half-caste legally qualifies him for holding such an office. In conversation with the Premier tonight, I ascertained that the policy decided upon in Cabinet yesterday was to proceed next session with the Land for Settlements Bill, Government Railway Bill, Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill, Shops and Shop Assistants Bill and Betterment Bill, and to introduce legislation to give effect to the Government project for obtaining cheap money from Home to lend out on easy ternm to Crown tenants. With a view to this latter proposal the Agent-General will be directed to ascertain the probability of investors in England transmitting money to the Colony for investment, the Government lending it out through the Public Trust Office and Poßt Office. It was also decided to carry out the announcement made by the Government daring the elections, of its intention to create a portfolio of Trade and Commerce, and it was agreed that this portfolio should be entrusted, to Mr Ward. Contracts were accepted for supplies during 1894 to the asylums at Chrißtchurch, Wellington, Dunedin and Auckland. Tenders are to be again invited for the purchaae of the Government Bteamer Stella. The apportionment of the refuge vote of JBISOO ia to be left to the determination of Mr Reeves. Dr Lemon has requested to be retired from the office of Superintendent of Telegraphs, as he is over age and has fully earned hie pension. He wishea to retire to his- farm in the Manawaiu district. The matter has been referred to the Postmaster-General. In all probability the request will be granted, arid Dr Lemon's office will be conferred upon Mr Gray, Secretary to the Post Office, to hold it in conjunction with his present position. The question of the appointment of Railway Commissioners has been deferred for a full Cabinet meeting to be held after the holidays. Messrs Anderson and Co., of Christchurch, are the only tenderers for the girders for railway bridges at Eketahuna and Woodville, and as their tender is below the estimate it is almost certain to be accepted. The Greymouth-Hokitika line is to be handed over to the Railway Commissioners on Nov. 18. In consequence of a conversation with Mr M'lntyre, the Victorian Minister fcr Lands, Mr Seddon has telegraphed to him requesting him to obtain permission from his Government for Mr Metryhead to visit New Zealand in order to report and advise upon deep level quartz mining in this Colony. Mr M'lntyre haß just wired a reply from Napier: — "Shall have much pleasure laying your request before a meeting of the Government immediately on my return, and no doubt it will be acceded to." The Government has decided not to interfere with the determination of the Auckland University Couucil to dispense with the services of Mr W. S. Aldis, the Professor of Mathematics. A. telegram received to-day from MrT. G. L. Cook, the resident engineer at Efcetahuna, who was despatched by the Government to report upon the damage done by the floods in the Hawke's Bay district, reports that the places which were flooded are now nearly free of water and rapidly drying up, and that the damage done to roads and bridges is not great. Clothing, bedding and food have been liberally supplied to all who were in need. Dead carcaaes have been removed, and everything necessary is being done. The Minister for Lands will leave foi his home in the south on Friday week* Mr George Friend, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, is said to be seriously ill. Mr W. P. Reeves left for Christchurch to-day, [Pee Press Association.] In addition to 3191 names Btruck off the City roll, the Suburba roll will be purged of 1050 names. A deputation from the Shipmasters' Association, waited on the Minister fox Marine to-day in connection with improving navigation near Jackson's Head, Coot Straits. The deputation urged" that outer and inner channels should be surveyedj and that something should be done in the way of erecting beacons to assist masters of steamers to navigate with safety. The Minister said that he fully recognised the importance of the matter, and would take steps to have a Burvey ' mads of both channels. He would also get a report regarding the desirableness of erecting beacons or a light on Jackson's Head, and would then see what could be done in that direction. The Minister for Justice wires from Upper Thames that he will be unable tc return to Wellington for some days yet. The Government has decided to increase the number of Native Land Court judges by two. No appointments have yet been made, and the districts to which the new judges will be allotted is a departmental affair. • In Cabinet to-day it was decided to agree to Dr Lemon retiring from the Superintendency. of the Telegraph Department, at Mb own request, on pension. He severe his connection with the Department at the end of March, but his successor has not yet been appointed. This will probably be done to-morrow. Information already in possession of the Commissioner of Customs respecting tbe trade between New Zealand and Canada shows that as yet it iB not of a very extensive character. Personally, Mr Ward is of opinion that the Colony should not be represented at the Conference in the Dominion, and believea that so far as New Zealand is concerned negotiations could be carried on by correspondence. What is wanted first, Mr Ward says, is aVancouvei line of steamers to call at New Zealand ports, and reciprocity could be discussed later. The Bills mentioned yesterday to be introduced by the Government early in the session will be distributed for consideration before the opening of .Parliament. A "training in cleanliness is .a fortune." Con plcte your education with SAPOLIO. It is a solid cako of scouring soap, used for all cleaning purposes, except tbe laundry. Soldbj 1 oil Grocers, Druggists and Ironmongers.