TREATY WITH JAPAN.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9363, 12 March 1896, Page 5

TREATY WITH JAPAN.

Under the Imparial Treaty with Japan the colonies have till August next to consider whether they will join in it. The Press Association reports that the Cabinet, after discussing the question, referred it to the Minister for Labour to obtain more information.

THE WELLINGTON CATHEDRAL.

The Anglican Cathedral Fund Committee at Wellington has decided to purchase a site in Taranaki street for £7000. The contributions promised to the fund amount to over £3600, and the Rev. W. Booth has offered to give an additional £500 on certain conditions.

ODDFELLOWS' CONFERENCE.

A Press Association telegram states that it ia proposed to hoid a conference of delegates from the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows' district governing bodies for the whole of New Zealand, in Wellington, next month, opening on the 4th. Amongst the subjects to be considered is a proposal to establish a uniform scale of contributions throughout the colony.

MOVEMENTS OF MINISTERS.

Three of the Ministers at present iv Wellington leave there to day. The Premier goes to the Wedt Coast on a visit which will probably extend over two or three weeks ; the Minister for Lands will pay his promised visit to the North, calling iirst at Giiborne; and the Minister for Kaihvays proceeds to Lyttelton ou departmental buainess. Mr Cadman, who will be accompanied by Mr Ronayne, will probably return to Wellington about the end of the week.

CHARITABLE AID.

The Dunedin Benevolent Trustees decided yesterday to requisition the Charitable Aid Board for £11,500, which is £1000 more than last year. The requisition has increased yearly by £500 since 1891, and ouc member objected to this big jump, but the reat of the members, while regretting haviug to make such a demand on Couucils that were already hard up, thought the matter must be faced.

CONCESSIONS ON RAILWAY CHARGES.

The Press Association reports that further concessions in the railway charges to settlers will shortly come into force. They will be allowed to fill up a truck with various goods, and be charged as a whole instead of separately for each line, and also to send lime and manure in one parcel for several consignees. A small charge will now be made for bicycles, and some concessions will be made in the case of loss or transfer of season tickets .upon payment of 10 per cent, of the unexpired value.

EPISCOPAL VISITATIOxV.

A telegram from Hpkitika states that the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, Bishop of Christ' church, accompanied by the Rev. Father, Charles Browne, continues bis episcopal visitation of the West Coast. His Lordship spent three weeks in the Ahaura district, giving missions at Ahaura, Nelson Creek, Totara Flat, and No Town. On Monday his Lordship arrived in Ross, where a splendid reception was tendered him by the parishioners, who camo out ten miles to meet him. On Tuesday hi 3 Lordship, accompanied by the Rev. Father Michael Browne, Pastor of Ross, started for a trip through the missions south ox Roaa. " There is neither railroad nor coach road, to Gillespies, and the journey must be made by bridle path. The trip south is an arduous one, and not without danger.