WELLINGTON NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 217, 15 September 1886, Page 2

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(BY TELEUIIArH.—OVX CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, this day. Old Soldiers' and Volunteers' Claim Commission.

Majors Gudgeon and Crowe loave for Palmeraton North on Friday. Major Gudgeon informs me that if possible either he or Major Crowe will take evidence in the Waikato on the let and 2nd October, It ie certain that tho Commission will sit in Auckland on the 28th, 29th and 30th instant, and at the Thames on the Ith end s'h prox. It is likelyjthat Mr Dargaville will bo invited on returning to Wellington. The Commission will sit here for a few days, then go through the Island. Council of Military Education. Tho Council of Military Education ie to be a peripatetic body, and not a fixture in Wellington, as many suppose. After it has completed some preliminary work it will pay a visit to Auckland, and subsequently vitit the Southern cities. Mr Balianco Visits England. It ie stated that the Hon. Mr Bsllance and Mrs Balianco are about to pay a visit to the old country. Mayoral Election. The retirement of tho Mayor from tho approaching contest has caused considerable comment on all sides. It is admitted that Mr Brown has filled tbo office very capably, and each of the three local papers dovdtes a loading article to tho subject. Prospooting at Big Bay. The Hinemoa left yestt rday on her trip to pick up the parties going to Big Bay hill districts for nix months' organised prospecting. Carey and Hindman, tho original proepectors, shipped from thia port, at also did Mr Murray, surveyor of Auckland, and two assistants, who will carry out tho road contracts between Jackson's Bay and Gorge River districts, for which a sum of £2,000 bne been put ncido. The total number of diggers expocted to be picked up at various ports of call down as far as Inrercargill is about 200, who will be fully equipped, and will carry with them from four to six months' provisions. No scientist accompanies the party, but two of Professor Black's assistants have lately been giving some of the intending miners a series of practical lessons on testing, &c., which will prove of great use. The bulk of the party will be taken up at Invercargill, but a very etrongly-equipped party of 15 will join at Lyttelton. While the men are there, there (fill be a fortnightly steam service to meet any emergency that may arise. Carey and Hindman intend for tho first month to only go in for the beach picking*, as they fear the weather is not yet sufficiently settled to tackle the inland prospecting. They feel certain ot making from i' 2 10s to £3 per week at this work. It is understood that some men will be able to earn wages at road-making, whilo others are prospecting, and thus grist will bo coming to the "mill while the field is being tried.