WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10275, 17 February 1894, Page 6

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

[from otjb special correspondent.! WELLINGTON, Feb. 16. The Minister of Lands intends shortly, probably next week, to leave on a Xnp along the west coast from Nelson to Hokitika, and overland to Christchurch. He has never been on a visit to Wesuanu. Mr M’Kenzie wishes to see for himself the lands on the west coast that the Midland Railway could secure by the completion of its contract, so that in the event or the company not earning the right to them he may be in a position to form an opinion how to. deal with them. It is understood that arrangements are being made to banquet the Minister at Greyxnonth. Mr W. Jacques, Mayor of Sydenham, and Mr Murphy, secretary of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, interviewed the Minister of Lands this afternoon . with reference to the acquisition' of the 1 ■ Society’s show grounds at Sydenham as a borough reserve. A vote of £2OOO was passed last session for the purpose, on the understanding that the Sydenham borough would raise the other .£2OOO required to complete the purchase, Ihe Government insisted that the conveyance should he to the Queen, but undertook to vest the property when acquired in the borough under the Public Reserves Act, 1885. The Council in looking through this Act, discovered that under its provisions it would not be able to charge for, admission to the grounds on more than ten days in the year. The deputation represented to the Minister that the Council was of opinion that this limitation would debar it from obtaining a sufficient return from the grounds to enable it to pay interest on the £2OOO it proposed to borrow. The Council, therefore, urged him to increase the number of days on which it might charge for admission. The Minister, in reply, undertook to ask Parliament next session to so amend the Public Reserves. Act as to empower the Borough Council to charge for admission on during the year. He explained that nothing could be done in the matter without the sanction of the Legislature. ; Mr. Murphy then took the opportunity to ask the Minister to'extend the concession which he had promised to‘grant to delegates attending the conference of agricultural and' pastoral societies which it; was proposed to hold in-Wellington m May next. The Government had undertaken to pay the expenses of two delegates: from each of the larger Societies, and «f one delegate from tach of the smaller Societies. Mr Murphy argued that the Government should p ay the expen aes of three delegates from the larger societies, and of two delegates from each of the smaller, societies. Mr M’Kenzie said he would consider the matter, but thought it unlikely that the Government would agree to undertake any further expense than it had already determined upon. He promised, however, to obtain the use of Bellamy’s as a meeting place for the conference, if Parliament was not in session at the time. [Per Pbesb Association.] A dozen people were summoned to-dsy for wasting water by leaking taps, &o. A conviction was recorded in each case, end defendants were ordered to pay the costa Cable messages under the reduced tariff continue to show an increase. The reductions esms into force in January last year. The returns for the last month show an expansion in every branch upon those of the first month of 1893. The woman Marion Allen, who took spirits of salts last week, is dead. _ The New Zealand Rugby Union has granted the Poneke Club permission to play East Christchurch at Easter in Christchurch. The Mayor told the City Council that it bad no control over the licensing election, but would have to pay the cost, which is estimated at £IOO. The Government has issued warrants to the returning officers for the licensing elections. Wednesday, March 21, is suggested in the circular as a suitable day for the polling. Mr Brack, of Otago, has been appointed temporary inspector of dairy produia shipped from Port Chalmers and the Bluff. The Alameda with the colonial mails, arrived at Sau Francisco from Aucklaid yesterday, the time-table date.