WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10273, 15 February 1894, Page 5

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

[Pm Press Association.! WELLINGTON, Feb. 14 The Government intends tomake arrangements with Captain Whitney’s Company to manufacture all the Martini-Henry rifle ammunition required. The Petone Borough Council proposes to raise a loan of ,£I4OOO for drainage purposes. A poll will be taken. Easter encampments are to he held, on' the of Colonel Fox, at Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and in Westland.

The licensed victuallers have resolved to endeavour to secure a Licensing Committee of moderate views, and will appoint committees to organise opposition to the prohibitionists.

The Public Trust Office is about to undertake the business of a “ Safe Deposit” Company, on lines similar to the institutions in America and Europe. Accommodation will probably be found in the Government Insurance building instead of erecting a new one. Major Sommerville had an interview with the Defence Minister to-day, in connection with the scarcity of Martini ammunition, and said injury was likely to ensue to the New Zealand Bifle Association, owing to its members being unable to get ammunition with which to practice, ile also pointed out that unless active steps were at once taken to secure a supply from the sister colonies, there would be no ammunition for the annual shooting competition, which opens in Christchurch on March 1. Mr Seddon promised to at once cable to Melbourne for sufficient, and this will be landed at Lyttelton in time for the’meetiag. Provision will also be made to allow from the stock in hand to clubs, &0., which intend competing at the meeting, a few hundred rounds for the purpose of practice. Major Sommerville left for Christchurch this afternoon.

The remainder of the Wellington representatives to the athletic champion meeting in Dunedin left by the Takapuna this afternoon. Mr H. D. Bell (president) and Mr H. M’Cardell (secretary) were nnable to accompany the team. A strong protest has been forwarded to the Hew Zealand Athletic Association against the inclusion of the Canterbury pole jumper, on the ground that his entry was too late. (from our special correspondent.!

The Now Zealand, Times says: “We congratulate l! bur southern friends on the determination of the Midland Bailway Company to complete the whole contract in the shortest time at its disposal, for that is the meaning of the chairman’s announcement that the company has accepted the terms offered by the Government, and is making arrangements to raise .£1,250,000 for the work. The sum mentioned will complete the line from Springfield to Nelson.” Mr W. Jacques, Mayor of Sydenham, and Mr M. Murphy, secretary of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, have arranged to interview the Minister of Lands on Friday next, for the purpose of closing the arrangements for the purchase of the Sydenham show grounds. The Times remarks:—"lt will be no surprise to the public that Government has determined that the colony shall not be represented at the Tasmanian Exhibition. The colony was not represented at Chicago, at the greatest exhibition the world has ever seen, and it could not foe represented at Hobart, where will be held the smallest of the world’s fairs.”

The delegates to the Postal Conference are expected to arrive at the Bluff on Feb. 21. The Hinemoa will be there in readiness to convey them and other invited guests on a three days’ excursion to Stewart Island, the intention being to call in at Ealfmoon Bay Harbour and Lord’s Biver. On returning to the Bluff the party will proceed by rail and steamer to the head of Lake Wakatipu, which will occupy another day. Next morning they will go on by rail to Dunedin, and thence to Christchurch. From Christchurch they will proceed overland to the West Coast and on to Westport, where the Hinemoa will pick them up and take them on to Wellington. After the conference has finished its labours, the delegates, still convoyed by Mr Ward, will start for Lake Taupo, and after doing the sights thsre will go on to the Hot Lakes, and, having enjoyed the waters there, will complete their journey to Auckland, where they will catch a steamer for Sydney. Mr Ward will accompany his guests from end to end of the colony. Mr Gray, Secretary to the Postal Department and the Superintendent of Telegraphs, leave on Monday next to join Mr Ward, and accompany the party; so does Mr E. G. Pilcher, Secretary to the Bailway Commissioners, who will supervise the train arrangements. Mr J. M’Kerrow, Chief Commissioner of Bailways, leaves to-morrow for the south on departmental business. He will meat; his fellow-commissioners at Christchnrch, and will then go on to Dunedin. The Minister of Labour and Education left for Christchurch this evening. The Wellington Benevolent Trustees despatched back to Timaru to-day three children who were sent to Wellington rather more than a week ago by the Timaru Society, the Secretary being instructed to write to the Timaru Trustees, stating that they must provide for the children, as their mother is dead and their father is dying in the Wellington Hospital. Mr Smithers, private secretary to the Minister of Labour, is to be appointed shorthand writer to the Education Department, and will be succeeded by Mr Bobison, of Christchurch.

To-day the Government is inviting alternative tenders for leasing, furnished and unfurnished, the Ministerial residences in Molesworth street (lately occupied by Mr Reeves) and in Tinakori road west (formerly occupied by Mr Ballance).