WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10613, 23 March 1895, Page 6

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

[Peb Peres Association.] WELLINGTON, March 22,

The Canadian Government recommends that a Joint Commission should go into tho details of the Pacific cable. Tho Government of New Zealand approves, with the proviso that New Zealand should be separately represented in consequence of its exceptional citnation. A conference”.'of local bodies in and around Wellington has decided upon the appointment of an inspector to look after dairies, at £225 per annum. A practical man will be chosen. It is intended to make all dairymen and milk sellers register. At the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, it waa resolved that a memorial should be forwarded to Parliament asking that the age of consent may be raised to twenty-one. Also that Mrs Sheppard should be requested to represent the Union at the convention in London next June. At a meeting of the Wairarapa Relief Fund Committee to-day, A. F. French, who rescued the boy West, was voted £2O, It is reported that should one of Shaw, Savill and Albion Company’s steamers continue to be required for the San Francisco service, the Arawa, now in that running, will be replaced by the Tainui. The boilers of tho Arawa require an extensive overhaul.

[from our own correspondent.] The railway regulations, which were under consideration by the Cabinet, have not yet been decided on, and it ia expected that it will be some time before they are finally approved. At the recent Cabinet meetings a request from the Hon T. Russell that the Government should purchase the rights of Messrs Forrest and M’Artbur in the cyanide process was referred to the Tariff Commission, as waa also a request from the same gentleman that mineral oil, for use in oil engines, should be admitted duty free.

The Government has suggested to the Post Office authorities and Savings Bank trustees, that in places where Saturday ia the half-holiday the Savings Banks should open on Friday night in order to avert breaking the law. The Imperial authorities have conceded the extension of the Coinage Act to New Zealand.

The Minister of Eailwaya has under consideration an application for a reduction of the coal rates from the Huntley mines (Waikato). It is understood that no reduction will be made unless the owners guarantee that by increasing the output there will be no reduction of the amount at present received from freight. On a former occasion when rates were reduced no benefit was reaped either by the consumer or the miners. The Government has decided to establish a New Zealand Humane Society.

In connection with the fire at Auckland Asylum, Dr Basel], the medical attendant, baa been commissioned to conduct an inquiry on behalf of the Government into the present water supply. The retirement of Judge von Sfcnrmer, of the Native Land Court, on account of failing health, baa been accepted by the Government. The Tongariro took 148 tons of butter and 325 tons of cheese. The balance-sheet of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association shows that, after providing for depreciation, there is an improvement 'of .£2lB as compared with the previous year. The Government has decided to make a concession in the railway rates for coal for consumption outside the colony. The reduction will amount to about 20 per cant off the ordinary rates. The sum of £26,000 has been authorised for the increase of roiling stock on the Government railway readers for the erection or a post office at Cheviot, to cost between £6OO and £7OO, will be called for shortly. The Government has received a communication from the Premier of South Australia, referring to the offer of the National Wool Company of Australia respecting the promotion of a wool trade to China and Japan. A reply has been seat to the effect that the Government of New Zealand would bo pleased to cooperate in the matter, but, owing to the present disturbed state of those countries, it is thought that the time is inopportune. The Government also expressed the orinion that for the matter to be of permanent and practicable benefit, private enterprise would have to step in.