WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7760, 5 October 1886, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[by TELEGBAPH.—OWN correspondent.] Wellington, Monday. BENEVOLENCE. The Bank of New Zealand has subscribed £50 towards the proposed Wellington institution for the aged and needy. MR. BALLANCE AND THE EVENING POST. Notwithstanding the severe strictures recently made by the Post on the conduct of the Defence Minister, in appointing Mr. Liffiton, of Wanganui, as assessor for the Government in the Compensation Court to determine the yalue of the Rhodes and Crawford land, taken for defence purposes, that journal publishes this evening the following panegyric upon Mr. Ballance's administration of the departments under his charge :—" He has done, and is doing good public service in regard to both of the departments over which he presides. The natives generally seem more than satisfled with the legislation of last session affecting them, and in impartial European circles it is admitted that the present ?>osition of the natives is eminently satisactory. In regard to the progress of land settlement, Mr. Ballance's efforts are almost universally eulogised, and even the Opposition papers are forced to confess admiration of his earnestness of purpose, and the success which has, so far, attended the administration of his schemes. Mr. Ballanoe has really done more to promote bona-fide small farm settlements in the North Island than any •'dozen of his predecessors in the office of Minister of Lands. We hope he may be able to long continue his good work." It was a little odd to see the New Zsaland Times the last two days justifying the action of the Government as against the severe strictures of the Post. TORPEDO DEFENCES. Lieutenant Falconer has gone to Auckland frr the purpose of laying submarine mines in the Auckland harbour, and to give instruction in connection with that method of defence. ART EXHIBITION. There are 209 entries in the Fine Arts Exhibition, including pictures from the following :—Messrs. Wilson and J. D. Moultry, of Dunedin ; Messrs. E. Gouldsworth and J. Gibbs, of Christchurch ; Mr. C. Bloomfield and Mrs. J. McCosh Clark, of Auckland ; and Mr. J. G. Lilly, of Nelson. The following awards have been made :— Landscape study from Nature, Colonel Branfield, Nelson, £2 2s; study of flower, foliage, and fruit, in oil and water, Mies Kate Ridings, Auckland, £2 2s.