WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10600, 8 March 1895, Page 5

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

fFEQMOUR SPECIAIi COBEESPOKTDENT.T ■ WELLINGTON, March 7.

Esferring to the advice contained in th« recant report of the Government timbej; expert, that steps should be taken to replant the forest trees of which the colony is being denuded, the New ZmlaiuL Timez says that for economic and climatic reasons this should be done. The Forest Department, it says, has bees starved and stultified under the pretence of economy. "No wonder,” ifc proceeds, “in quarters where the value of country woods is understood, the ory of “savages* should have been raised against men who did this. It is not too late to mend matters, it is not too late to plant wealth snd look after it, and get a profit out of it as ifc is growing. We have a Government that looks ahead, and we trust it will take the necessary measures.” [Per Press Association.,! Since the Minister of Bailways assumed office all railway passes seem to have been, withdrawn. Even the Press Association was refused one for its reporter at the Athletic Championship Meeting, for the first time in its history. Ministers have been met with remonstrances on all sides, and in answer to a deputation from the Napier Fire Brigade, stated that the recall was with a view to a definite settlement of the pass system. Mr J. E. March, superintendent of settlements, has been on a tout of inspection of the North Island settlements. He found the majority of the settlers doing well, though employment is slack. There has been a want of judgment in selecting soil and locality in some instances, but aU industrious settlers have capital gardens and orchards, with the excellence of which Mr March was greatly struck. For some days the police and others have been on the track of a man in the bush near Masterton, who robbed a woman and tried to stab a constable yesterday. He was chased a mile or more, and several shots were fired at him, but, though barefooted, he eluded his pursuers. The police have no doubt that he ia M’Keazie, the escaped convict, Mr Foster, late, manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company here, has been appointed general manager of the Bank of New Zealand Estates Company. Mr Foster’s appointment is the result of a vacancy caused by Mr Hanna, Colonial Manager of the Estates Company, rejoining the regular staff of the Bank of New Zealand.

The German war ship Bussard leases for Sydney on Sunday. Regulations determining the rate of travelling allowances to railway employes, from the general manager to cadets, are gazetted; also regulations under the Civil Service Officers Guarantee Act, 1893. The rales and regulations of the Native Land Court are gazetted. Captain Allman, marine adviser to the Government, is appointed a member of the Central Board of Health. Dr Lewie is appointed health officer for Auckland, vice Dr Hooper, resigned. Mr H. Humphries, of Napier, has been appointed Crown solicitor for the Welling® ton judicial district, vice Mr A. J- Cotterill. Mr A. Garstin has been appointed harbour-master at Picton, vice Mr G. W. White, resigned. Monday, March 18, will be observed as a public holiday in the Government offices throughout the colony, for the celebration of Sfc Patrick’s Day. The Gazette notifies that quail and hares may be taken or killed within the North Canterbury district from April 1 to July 31, both days and that cook pheasants may be taken or killed in the said district from April 1 to June 30, Native game, excepting tui, huia, white heron and crested grebe, may be taken or killed within the above-mentioned district from April 1 to June 80. Sergeant Kelly, a' police officer removed here from Auckland last week, has bees ordered to return, and leaves for the northern capital to-morrow.