Wellington Items.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 27, 1 February 1901, Page 2

Wellington Items.

AMNESTY TO ITALIAN SAILORS,

LONDON QUOTATIONS,

[By Telegraph—Press Association.] Wellington, last night. Mi' Fisher, the Italian Consul in this city, has received a communication from the Minister of Marine at Rome announcing that a decree has been issued granting an amnesty to all sailors of the Italian Mercantile Marine who may have deserted from their ships previous to November 1, 1900,

His Lordship, Archbishop Redwood, has intimated that he will not take part in the United memorial service on Saturday, but that a special service, attended by 40 priests, will be held.

The Government Produce Commissioner in London, having been instructed to include cocksfoot grass seed in his weekly quotations, has decided that quotations cabled shall be average price ruling for bright, clean seed, 171bs to the bushel. The Commissioner thinks that it is not generally known in New Zealand that the seed harvested here in one season is seldom sold in England till the following year, as it arrives in June or July, when the merchants are not desirous of purchasing. Therefore, owing to the necessity of holding stocks, the Commissioner doubts if the quotations ruling one season will bo of great assistance to growers in determining the prices to be fixed for the seed in the coming harvest.

The figures submitted to the Harbor Board to day, showing the operations for the year, exhibits an increase in all departments. There was in inward consignment tonnage on 176 tons, and in outward shipments of 6193 tons. Wool shows an increase of 13,270 bales, and hemp of 24,662 bales. The outward shipments of timber increased by half a million superficial feet. There were 50 more steamers and 25 more sailing ships berthed than in 1899.

In connection with the sittings of the Federal Commission, -yy;hich opens at Invercargill on February sth, evidence will be taken at each centre of Presidents of Chambers of Commerce, Industrial Associations, and Trades and Labour Unions, as well as from loading commercial men. At the Conference of State School Inspectors to-day there were passed resolutions approving—(l) Subjects of instruction in schools being divided into compulsory and optional sections; (2) definite courses of study in the upper standards of science, physiology, and domestic economy ; (3) establishment of a colonial system of military drill in schools : (4) : issue of certificates of competency to candidates for positions in the public service; (5) facilities being afforded for training pupil teachers in manual work,