TELEGRAPHIC

Grey River Argus, Volume LVII, Issue 10520, 30 January 1903, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC

♦ : (PBK PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Dunedin, Jan 29. Prior to leaving for England Mr Seddon was entertained at Dunedin, when a draft address was presented to him. Y-starday ike Mayor of Danedin waited uq ihe Premier and presented th© address in uh illuminated form. The souvenir, w- ich is signed by the Mayor and Councillors of Dunedin, is very han isome. Advicea from Home state that at a meeting of the British Empire League on December 11 a resolution was ; passed expressing satisfaction with the outcome of the recent coaference bej fcweea tne Secretary of State for the Colonies and the P-- ime Ministers of the seif-goveming Colonies as a substantial and practical contribution toward* the closer union of the Empire. Several mattrs which the League had recommended to the notice of the Conference ware satisfactorily dealt with. These included resolutltHs to hold periodical Imperial Conferences, and form. Colonial branches of the Royal Naval Reservs. Mastekton, Jan 29. Mr Ord Hume, who judges the forthcoming band contest, considers that uumeicallyt c Mastert-n contest will be a record for Australasia. Referring to the Australian bunds he said he found a lack of finish which was due to the want of professional in t uetors. If professional instructors wre secured »-y Colonial bands the latter would soon rise to the higher standard and possibly equal the tirstclass bands at home. "Wellington, Jaa 29. When in England the P<»mier approached the Admiralty, asking that one of the Australian Squadron ves.-ols be placed at the disposal of the New Ze land Government as a training ship, »nd there in every prospect of the request being granted. The Pi«mier and Commander Noel have discuistd the matter, and the latter thinks the Lizard or Sparrow suitable for the purpose. The Piemier's views onth* question are that the training ship is necessary to drill shipn, which under the agreement are to f-.rm part of tho Australiaa and Now Zealand Squadron. The Government propose to have the Flaxbourne estate acquired under the Land for Settlement Act, cut up with a view to furthering th« policy of placing men, employed ou co-operative works on the land. The Government has instructt d Marsh, who has bees connected with villnge settlements under the Land Act to proceed with various railway and road works, and assist the workmen employed « her- on to apply for land under rhe blecl* sastem and other ways as provided bj the Act. The Government Insurance Departs went kas had a very successful yeav