SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Evening Star, Issue 111548, 6 February 1900, Page 2

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON, February 5. Mr W. E. Whitcombe, broker and produce agent, attempted suicide by taking an overdose of laudanum. He was suffering from the aftrr-efleota of influenza. He is making a satisfactory recovery in the hospital.

The Shaw, Savill and Albion Company’s new steamer Karamea carried from London to the Cape, ea route to New Zealand, the largest cargo of explosives and Imperial stores which had ever left England. It was probably the largest cargo of the kind ever afloat in one bottom.

The Premier returned yesterday, also Judge Ward and Commissioner Tunbridge. Mr George Hutchison, M.H.R., proceeds to South Africa, having arranged to contribute a series of letters to a London newspaper. He returns in time for the meeting of Parliament.

Mr Tegetmeier, late general manager of the Bank of New Zealand, is a passenger by the Mokoia for Sydney eu route to London to hia seat on the Board of Directors. 'l.he Government have given instructions for the immediate commencement of the survey in connection with the promised deviation of the Rimutaka Railway. All members of the police force except thirteen have come under the provision of the Police Provident Fund Act passed last session of Parliament, aud which came into operation on the Ist of November. Time was given to decide up to the end of this morning. It is believed that the thirteen will also accept. The Premier has intimated that he will bo unable to participate in the turning of the first rod of tho Gisborne-Karaka Railway next Wednesday week. The Ministry will be represented by the Hon. J. G. Ward and the Hon. J, Carroll, member for the district.

February 6. The ‘Post’ last night, in an editorial article on the recent volunteer encampment, eulogises the officers and men for the excellence of the arrangements, admirable discipline, and downright hard work which characterised the period of instruction. The muster averaged 351, the maximum in any one day being 413, which is very commendable, seeing that the course of drill was not allowed to interfere with tho regular avocations of the men. The employers as a body greatly facilitated matters by making concessions, and they deserve credit for the patriotic spirit they had displayed. The lessons of the Boer war have already been grasped to a certain extent, as shown by the fact that the training at the late camp was marked by special attention to field work, outpost duty, movements in extended order, picketing, and such exercises generally as would be most effective in tho field.

Commander Thibault and Lieutenant Doeteur, of the French warship Eure, paid an official visit to the Premier, to whom they were introduced, by the Count De Courtp, French Consul. The Comtess Da Courtegavo an “ at home” on Wednesday in honor of the French naval officers.