SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Evening Star, Issue 11675, 6 February 1902, Page 4

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON, February 5. The Premier's invitation requests the pleasure of his company for three weeks after the coronation festivities are completed. Mr Seddon is undecided at present what route to travel by. The probabilities are that he will go via Vancouver, leaving Sydney on April 25. During the week he was on the West Coast Sir Joseph Ward delivered thirtyone [speeches, and attended seven dinners, besides a " social" given in his honor, m addition to receiving deputations and transacting an immense amount of business. A largo number of foot-warmers for railway carriages are being imported from England, and will arrive in time for the winter traffic. The lighting of the carriages is also to be greatly improved. An acetylene gas plant will be stored at Dunedin, and this system of lighting will be utilised oa the Humnui-Bluff section in conjunction with the Pintsch gas. Mr Seddon informs me that he expectsto return to the colony early in September, and he hopes to take part in the concluding weeks of next session. He ridicules the prevailing opinion that it is his intention to leave his beloved West Coast or to settle outside fhe colony. Much interest was taken locally yesterday in a wedding the contracting parties to which axe well known in Dunedin. At tie Synagogue Mr Charles H. Arndt, of Hawera, was united in marriage to Miss Rae Moeller, voungest daughter of Mrs P. Moeller, of this city. The bride, who was attended by -her brother, Mr Frank Moeller, of Napier, and her sister, Mrs P. Herman, of ChristchuTch, was dressed in ivory duchesse satin, trimmed with Honiton lace, and wore a diamond brooch, with pearl pendant, and a diamond necklace, the gifts of the bridegroom. The bridesmaids were Misses Hilda Crawford (niece of the bride), Hermraa Arndt (sister of the bridegroon), and Norah Long. Mr Salenger (of Sydney) acted as best man, and Mr A. Beaver (of Dunedin) also attended the bridegroom. After the ceremony a reception was held at the Occidental HotcL The bride's going-away dress was of navy blue cloth, with black picture hat.

The deadlock regarding the Wellington abattoirs appears to be intensified. Last session's Act provides that abattoirs mnst be erected by March, but the site question blocks the way. The City Council have selected a eite one mile off the main road, in the Ngahauranga Gorge, which is said to be admirably situated owing to its extensive paddocking acconHnodation. The Minister of Lands, however, supports the contention of the small botchers that slaughtering yards ought to be on the main road. Considerable irritation is felt by the city authorities with the Minister, and they talk of an appeal to Csesar—that is, the Premier.

As Inspectors Pardy and Pender are given three months' leave as frqm March 31, their retirement does not take effect till June 30. The question of their successors has not yet been decided by Cabinet. The probabilities are Mayor Aitkan will consent to accept nomination for a further term as Mayor of Wellington. The annual conference of the Fire Underwriters' Association is being held in Wellington. Messrs E. W. Williams (National), T. R. Fisher (Standard), and J. Edgar (Victoria) are the Dunedin representatives present. *

Mr Whitcombe, district traffic manager on the Southland railways, and Mr C. A. Piper, in charge of the Wangorrui section, are to exchange stations. The Minister of Lands, after being present at the send-off of the Eighth Contingent on Saturday, will pay a visit to Central Otago. His presence there is mainlv required in connection with the construction of a road between Matakamii and BenThe Premier, the Hon. Mr Duncan, and the Hon. C. H. Mills left this morning for Dalefield, where a Liberal picnic is being tendered to Mr Horn'sby, the member for Wairarapa. OHRISTCHURCH, February 6. Local fruiterers are complaining of the illogical manner in which fruit examinations are conducted. They assert that, while fruit coming from Australia is fumigated, fruit from Auckland and Nelson :s not subjected to any such conditions, and that the latter is generally full of codlin moth. , Lieutenant.^l'Mißan^-TBho-was attached

to G Squadron of the Eighth Contingent, has been promoted to a captaincy in the Ninth. He proceeds' to Donedin by today's express. - The members of the Eighth vera prewnt yesterday at a garden paity g» Ten *V &* Mayor of Christcburcb. . The Eighth .have not, as prenouriy stated, purchased a sheep dog, but had one presented to them yesterday. The animal will be furnished with a collar bearing the following inscription:-- Trooper Bounce, 5,978, Second Battalion New Zealand Eighth Regiment."