WELLINGTON NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11225, 24 March 1897, Page 6

WELLINGTON NEWS.

[Feb Press association.! WELLINGTON. March 23. George M’Combie, an old offender at Christchurch, and recently discharged from gaol, when arrested for drunkenness to-day had several receipts and cheques on his person. The former proved to be for goods purchased by forged cheques, and a charge of forgery will be preferred against him. He was only released three days ago. A. deputation from tho Wellington Industrial Association waited on the Premier urging him to bring tho question of tho construction of a dock before the Secretary for the Colonies, with tho view of getting the Imperial authorities to assist, wholly or in part, in carrying out the work. The Premier, in replying, thought that the Harbour Board was the proper authority to deal with the matter, and that the time was not yet ripe . for the construction, though that time would inevitably come soon. As for placing the matter under the notice of the Secretary for the Colonies, he hoped that the deputation would not place him in a position that he could scarcely defend. However, he was quite willing to put out a feeler when defence questions were under discussion, but be was not prepared to prefer the request. { The Wellington District Hospital Board! has passedits estimates for theyear, amounting to .£8740, and the Wellington and Wairarapa Charitable Aid Board has passed requisitions for £10,735, of which the local Benevolent Society absorbs £6500. A discussion took place on the Taranaki Board’s circular, suggesting that the whole cost should bo thrown on the Consolidated Fund. Members were agreed that the cost was far too great, and that something ought to be done to prevent men deserting their families. Some thought that the districts should be smaller, so that the control of funds could he more effective. Eventually it was decided to issue a circular inviting all Boards to hold a conference here to discuss the whole question. Tho promoters of a Sports Club for the use of members of athletic clubs have again applied for a charter, and been refused. Nearly three hundred members are ready to join, hut the Premier informed thorn that the Government had had a number of applications for charters, and could not grant one without granting all. A now company has been formed, with enlarged capital, to tako over and work the New Zealand Times from the present company, subject to the consent of the latter’s shareholders. I