WELLINGTON NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 6, 8 January 1895, Page 2

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

. Wellington, this day. MR WARD'S VISIT TO ENGLAND. So far nothing definite can be ascertained respecting the Hon. Mr Ward's proposed visit to England, and a Minister to whom a point blank question was put, skilfully evaded disclosing anything about the matter by saying that Mr Ward would be in Wellington on Wednesday. Whether the Cabinet meeting which is to be held ab the close of the'present week is to decide on the necessary arrangements consequent on Mr Ward's trip, of course depends, on whether be ia going or not. One thing may, however, be considered quite certain, and thab is, that matters connected with the Agent-Generalship will nob be under discussion as by the Cabinet's decision in November last that matter was settled for another year.

A MARINE STORY.

The "Post" is usually considered a carefully-conducted newspaper, bub in publishing as gospel the paragraph relating to the Hon. Mr Reeves' return trip in the Port Melbourne, one is inclined to think that its lynx-eyed editor musb have been caught napping. The paragraph in question states that the Minister had said to the captain, referring to the fact that the crew of the Port Melbourne consisted of Lascars, that bhe timo would soon come when all ships would be manned by men of our own race and colour. The captain heard this without making any remark;, but next morning he found the Minister reclining luxuriously on a deck chair while a Lascar lad tied bis shoestrings. "Ah." said the captain, "you won't get seamen of your own race and colour to do that." This is an unworthy method of attempting to create a feeling of antagonism against a Minister who has rendered good and lasting service! to the'state, and papers of such high standing as the "Post" should be above auch unworthy dodgei.

SHIPMENT OF TIMBER.

The trial shipment of timber for which the Government called tenders is not likely to be despatched as early as at first anticipated. There has been an encouraging response from sawmillers, the bulk of tbo tenderers coming from Southland, Westland, and Hawke's Bay, and nearly every tenderer undertakes to supply the entire 100,000 ft required, but the difficulty arisee owing to the fact that all the timber will require to be felled, and as the Government are desirous of sending only well and thoroughly seasoned timber, in order to create as good an impression as possible on the Home market, the inability of tenderers to supply such will entail further delay. The matter will be finally settled on the arrival of the Hon. Mr Ward, who has control of the shipment.

NGAIRE SWAMP.

In a few months it ia expected thab drain' age operations will be sufficiently advanced to allow of the Ngaire swamp, which ia 7,000 acres in extent, being brought into the market for small settlement. Ab present co-operative labour is busily engaged carrying oub the main drainage system. Running through the swamp is a strip of dry ground, and in cutting up the land an endeavour is to be made to arrange that sections will consist of a piece of dry ground and a piece of drainable swamp. The land is good, and is situated only three miles from Eltham railway etabion.

EXPORT OF DAIRY PRODUCE.

The dairy produce to be shipped by the Doric at this port for London shortly will consist of about 250 tons of butter and 80 tons of cheese.

GOVERNMENT OFFICE,

The report of the Commission (consisting of Mr Blow, Under-Seeretary of Public Works ; Dr. Macgregor, Inspector of Hospitals and Asylums; and the late Mr Crombie, Commissioner of Taxea) appointed some time prior to last session to reporb on the best method of re-organising the office accommodation in Government Buildings was sen to in in duo course, and some of the recommendations are being acted upon. These will have the effect of giving more room and light. The entire space afforded by the two middle floors-in the south-east wing, with some additional space, will be appropriated by the Public Works Department and Railway Department. By the concentration of the railway engineering • staff ab Government Buildings a saving of from £500 to £600 per annum in rent will be effected.