SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Evening Star, Issue 10903, 11 April 1899, Page 2

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON, April 10. FORTNIGHTLY SAN FRANCISCO MAIL. The last letter of the Secretary of the Postal Department (Mr Gray) to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce stated that the proposal of that body for a fortnightly mail service-via San Franciaoo, calling alternately at Auckland and Wellington, would be taken into consideration by tbe Government. This, divested of official language, may be taken to mean that the matter will be hung up until it oan be submitted to Parliament, the Government having no authority to enter into a new contraot without the sanction of the House. THE PATENT OFFIOE. It is understood that in future the Patent Office will issue a * Supplementary Gazette,' on the lines of the English and the American system, so that the general public may see at a glance what the class of patent is, instead of, aB under the system hitherto in vogue, being compelled to search amongst the specifications deposited at the office, which often involves much time and trouble. Under the new system the patentee will have to Bpeoify shortly what are the parti* cular claims of his invention. It is expected that the new plan will be a great convenience to the public. THE SALVATION ARMY. There seems to be some confusion of ideas as to the nature of the recent interview between the Premier, General Booth, and Commandant Booth in respect to industrial homes established by the Army. There is also apparently a discrepancy between the statements as to the results of the interview of tbe General and his subaltern, and, as if to make confusion worse confounded, the cable man wires from Sydney respecting the General as saying that "the Government of New Zealand had promised to give all reformatory boys to the Army, and also to make grants for carrying on every side of the Army's sooiai work." lam assured by the Premier that nothing further has been promised than that the speolal Vote of £6OO passed last session io aid of the Prison Gate Brigade and £250 for refuge work will be again placed on the Estimates fhig year. In other Words, the, Salvation Army will te S laced on the same footing in respect to tate aid as the St. Mary's Home, the Magdala Home, another similar institution in Auokland, and others. PERSONAL The Hon. J. Carroll is expeoted baok in Wellington about Thursday. The Minister of Railways left by train yesterday afternoon for Auckland, accompanied by his secretary, Mr B. Wilson. He is expected to remain in the Auckland district for about three weeks. Mr Cad man's health is by no means good. FLORA OF NEW ZEALAND. The late Professor Kirk, prior to his death, had prepared about half his laborious work on the flora of New Zealand, whioh will shortly be published. The illustrations, which are not yet ready for publication, will be issued separately from the descriptive letterpress. GEOLOGICAL REPORT. Owing to the glowing reports sent by a prospector named Campbell ai to the auriferous character of tbe country in the Taupo district, Mr M'Kay, the Government geologist, was recently sent to the scene to make a thorough examination. He now reports that the results of his investigations in the upper portions of the Hinemaia (Brave Girl's) River, Taupo district, go to show that though the color of gold is widely distributed, therd is nothing to warrant the supposition that the country is payably aurif rous. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr H. J, Blow, Under-Secretary for Public Works, has gone South on a tour of inspection of the new buildings projected for the Agricultural and Railway Departments. The numerous applications for tbe appointment of marine superintendents at the principal ports will be considered in Cabinet. The accountants of the Institute of Australia propose to allow the New Zealand accountants to federate under a uniform system of examination.