THE AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH,

Press, Issue LVII, 4 December 1900, Page 5

THE AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH,

In connection with the celebrations at the inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia. Mr G. W. Russell, M.H.R., has received an invitation, to which a note is addtd: —"An official invitation card will follow if you accept. R.S.V.P., to the General Secretary ot Works, Sydney." It is understood that all the members of the New Zealand Parliament have received similar invitations. Owing to pressure of business Mr lias-sell will be unable to accept the invitation. Mr W. W. Collins, M.H.R. far Christchurch, it is understood, will be presenc at- the celebrations. The Nelson "Mail" learns on good authority tliat considerable dissatisfaction exists among the members of the Wakatu Mounted P.ifies iv connection with the selection of the Nelson representatives in the New Zealand Contingent for the Australian Commonwealth cckbiatioii:.. The men who have (.omp_ted say that they have been put to trouble at'd expense to go through v mers farce, as at least one of the selections was made without any test of fitness, while another was barred after tha representative had been chosen. As a consequence, the men intend to hold a meeting shortly, and tha probable outcome will ba that several of tli*. members of the troop may hand in their rifles at the end of the year. A petition to the captain, calling a meeting of the company, is n >w beini; signed, and it is in charge of Trooper Harley. (*.«T_SS ASSOCIATION* TF.LT.URAM.) WELLINGTON. December 3. The Supremo Court- judges have received invitations to tha Commonwealth inauguration celebrations. Fifty-two men have arrived at the Moifnt Cook barracks to go into training in view of the Commonwealth celebrations. They were inspected by Colonel Penton . this mcrßiU!.'. ;nid saddlery '.;>."' accoutrements were issued. Th:-i drill will commence tomorrow. Major Lovedav is in charge. The Contingent will probably leave for Sydn-ey by the Mohowai on the 22nd inst.