SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Evening Star, Issue 10900, 7 April 1899, Page 1

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON, April 7. THE MARINE SCANDALS. There is some talk of bringing under the notice of the Supreme Court the action of certain newspapers in publishing the Speech delivered by Mir George Hutchison, M.H.R, strongly animadverting onfhe alleged marine scandals, and especially the oasa of Captain Jones, which is sub judice. It is said that juch publication constituted contempt of court. NORTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY. The Hon. Mr Hall-Jones made a careful inspection of the railway woiks at the Makohine viaduot, and of the line from that point to Paihtke. The work on the viaduct is being vigorously pushed on without intermission, by shifts of four hoars each, with the aid of a powerful eleotrio light during the night. The machinery employed in -drilling and riveting is of the latest and most efficient kind, worked by hydraulic and steam power. The two steam drills do 450 driHs a day, and it is said that the total drills in the whole work atneuot to the prodigious number of 12,000,000. When the viaduot is completed railway communication will be open to Mangawtk*. Tbe Minister of Works travelled for fifteen hours without a break on his return from Ohingaiti to Wellington via Wairarapa. The work at the southern end of the Main Trunk line is said to be proceeding satisfactorily. Replying to a commnnicaticn from the Wellington Cbambsr of Commerce urging that tho North Island Main Truck R tilway should be brought to a speedy conclusion, and complaining that the vo.k has been delayed in the intercuts of persons who desire a divergence from the authorised route, the Minister of Works says that the vote for the work is exhausted, and current expenditure is mot cut of the ordinary ways and means of the Public Works Fund, and the Goverum' nt can only propose votes fet the work on the same equal terms with other railways under construction. As to the statement that large sum? are being expended' in a Burvey of the route to Siratfird, the Minister says the only expenditure being incurrel is in completion of the survey of the Central route. THE HAUTUMA ESTATE. It will ba remembered that the action of . the Government in seeking to compulsorily ! resume this estate for settlement has been strenuously resisted by Mr Purvis Russell, j the owner, who resides in England. The Land Purchase Department, however, suco '.eded in getting the question referred to the Compensation Court, consisting of Judge E iwards and two assessors (one of whom was appointed by the Government and the ether by Mr Russell), and the Court will hold their firßt" Bitting at Napier on Tuesday next, when Mr M'Kerrow, Land Purchase Commissioner, will be in attendance to watch the proceedings on behalf of the Crown. Tho estate comprises 27,000 acres, some of which iB good agricultural land adapted for < close settlement, the remainder being highly j suitable for small sheep farms. THE MYERS CASE. It is understood that Mr Jellicoe has been 1 retained by the relatives of Myers, the' alleged forger, for the defence. . PRESENTATION TO THE HON. J. M'KENZIE. Qn Monday next the Minister of Lands will ba publicly presented with an address and a purse of sovereigns at the Theatre Royal. The address, whioh is handsomely cased in New Zealand woods, expresses regret at Mr M 'Kenzie'a ill-health, and goes | on to say : " From your first entrance into i political life you recognised the imperative | necessity of land reform and the development of the agricultural and pastoral productive powers of the colony, four eight years of office as Minister of Lands has enabled you to give effect to much that you desired in earlier days. Tbe opening up of Crown lands, enabling poor men to select and create farms almost by their own labor, the purchase and subdivision of great estates in settled districts, the restriction of large holdings, and the advancing of money for improvement at low rates of interest to the Beltlers, have revolutionised the old conditions of settlement. Thousands of new homes in every part of the colony are the outcome of the changes made by you in these respects, and the grateful settlers in those homes are the best testimony of your labor. The establishment by yon of the Agricultural Department, and the practical benefit it daily oenfers upon the sheep farmer, the sgiiculturisf, and the dairy farmer has added greatly to the wealth of the country, and mark in a, special manner your foresight and wisdom. These are but a small number of the many reforms and changes you have inaugurate/, the incalculable benefit of which to the whole colony will, we venture to think, be : more and more recognised as time goes on. Your tenure of office will ever be held in grateful remembrance by the people of New Zealand as years in whioh the chief department of the State, the Lands, was ruled by a man strong and resolute in action, clear-brained and wise and ever actuated by the highest sense of honor and a tingle-minded devotion to the best interests of the State of which he was so eminent a servant. We respectfully invite your acceptance of the gift accompanying this addrcs?, and trust that Mrs M'Kenz<e and yourself will enjoy your holiday, return to the colony with restored health, and be spared for many years of happiness with your family."