BREVITIES.

Evening Star, Issue 12208, 28 May 1904, Page 2

BREVITIES.

The Employers' Federation propose ta l«old a dinner at Wellington oc tlie 15th prox., when rcpres aitati\ es of all the colonial branches me .expected to attend.

An address of welcome from the people of Wellington will be presented lo Lord Pluuket on his arrival there. The members oi the Ministry will meet the Gothio cutside the Heads on the Hinemoa, to which vessel the Governor-elect will b« transferred. Prior to his departure from Wellington Lord Ranfurly will receive an illuminated civic address appreciative of his services to the colony. The King and Queen attended a military tournament at Islington (London) yesterday. Sir Edward Button's explanation of the cipher business evidently contemplates throwing on his Ministerial chief the responsibility of divulging the key of his ciplur messages. The tender of Messrs Ashby, Bergh, and Co., of Christchurch, has been accepted for the supply of 20,000 gallons castor oil for the railway, at Is per gallon. There were eight tenders. In reporting the arrest of a man for theft, the ' Taihape Post' says: "Mr P. A. Harron has been retained as counsel for the defence, and Messrs J. Peacock and D. M'Lennan as touch-line judges." It having be n reported that, despite the derision of the Privy Council, the Brucfl Committee would adhere to their determination not to consider applications for lie uses in the district till a valid poll had been taken, application was made yesterday to Mr Justice Wil ioms, who granted a mandamus compelling the Committee to hear within- a reasonable time applications lodged. Det:ctive Marsack, of Napier, fills -tb* vacancy at Aurkland caused bv the retirement of Chief-detect've Grace." The Land Board met yesterday, but business was mainly routine. A case of plague reported from Pynnont, a s"burb of Sydney. Sir John See, on returning to Svdney, made handsome acknowledgment of the splendid treatment lie had received from the New Zealand Government. Treasurer Wadddl (New South Wales) told his constituents that, despite the fact that the Government have accumulated large- cash balances, there is need for the exercise of prudence and economy. Mr Carnegie's benefactions up to date exceed twentv millions sterling. As usual, the Russians make their losses less than the enemy's. The battle o( Kin-chau is said to have cost the Japs 700 men. ' Lloyd's' have warned their clients that Russia purposes fitting out privateers, but the British underwriters are disposed t< treat the report as unreliable. The public bodies of Russia are subscribing to a new fleet fund. It is intended to brild vessels of smaller types than theso destroyed at Port Arthur.' The King "sent a special message to the Czar, assuring the latter of his desire to maintain the friendliest relations with Russia. The Japs are tightening the. cordon around Port Arthur. The capture of Kin-chau and Han-shan is reported, after derper.ate ftehling. A Russian jrunboat in Taiienwan Bav harassed (he Japanese left flank, but tho fire of the Japanese fleet swept the Russians out of their trenches to the westward of Tnlienwan. The women and children of Port Arthur are hiding in caves within the inner forts.