WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7881, 25 February 1887, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Wellington, Thursday. CORONERS' JURIES. The Hon. Mr. Tole will introduce a Bill into Parliament next session to enable magistrates to make the necessary inquisition which is now made by coroners and coroners' juries upon the view of dead bodies. Coroners will be enabled to view and take depositions without juries. The fee hitherto paid to coroners for holding inquests will be reduced by one half.

AUCKLAND TO WELLINGTON "OVERLAND." The New Zealand Times this morning defends the Railway Department against the attacks made upon it by the Post yesterday evening. The writer says :—" We are in a position to state, on the authority of the Railway Department, for the information of persons who have not travelled by the .through trains between Wellington and Taranaki, that the assertion made to the effect that through passengers have to wait at Aromoho while the train runs to Wanga- ' nui and back is incorrect. An examination of the timetable will show that the through train only waits five minutes at Aromoho for the transference of the Wanganul passengers and luggage, and that the branoh train from Wanganui starts twenty-five minutes before the train for Aromoho arrives. So much for that mares' nest. Touching the complaints which have been made about the bad refreshments on the Wellington-Taranaki line, we are informed that the lessees of the refreshment rooms have already had notice that they must improve their catering. It it alleged that the present Licensing Act, which prevents the Minister of the Department from giving security to licensees, is responsible for the unsatisfactory catering." The Post this evening returns to the charges against the department, and re-affirms the statements made by the travellers who complains. It concludes a subleader on the subject in the following terms Passengers have to come on by the train, leaving Now Plymouth at four o'clock p.m. ; they have to stay a night at Hawera and go on next morning, and when they reach Aromoho they have to get out and wait there from 10. 45 a.m. to 11.35 p.m. unless they like to pay the extra fare from Aromoho into Wanganui and back. This is a ridiculous and vexatious regulation. The through passengers should be taken on into the town, and be given an opportunity of dining comfortably." THE " A HCHER" CRUISERS. I referred in my last message to these vessels. Your readers will probably like to know some further particulars respecting them. They are in fact fast going steel tor* pedo cruisers, propelled by twin screws. Each vessel carries six guns, is 1630 tons register, with engines of 3500 horse power, manned by a company of from 175 to 200 men. As already stated, their speed will be 19 knots an hour. ORAKEI NATIVE RESERVE. Paora Tuhaere, through his solicitor, Mr. E. T. Dufaur, gives notice of a petition for leave to introduce a Bill next session of Parliament to repeal the Orakei Native Reserve Act, 1882 ; to constitute Paora Tuhaere trustee; to arrange for the appointment of trustees in the event of the death of Paora Tuhaere; to define portions of land to be leased ;to arrange for surveys; allotments to be leased by public auction for any term not exceeding sixty years without bonus or premium, rents and profits to be divided amongst the persons named in the grant; the shares of any dying to go to their successors ; streets, roads and public places may be laid out and dedicated ; the trustee may raise money on the security of rents for the construction of roads, wharves, etc.; that leases shall not be subject to payment of native duty. AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD. Messrs. James MoCosh Clark and Thomas Morrin are appointed by the Hon. Mr, Tolo (acting for the Minister of Marine) members of the Auckland Harbour Board.

UNIVERSITY OF NEW ZEALAND. The Senate passed a resolution to-day which may possibly affect some 'Auckland students. The question was as to examination in mechanics, for medical candidates. There were five candidates who failed to obtain tho minimum marks in mechanics. But as the prescription of mechanics as a compulsory subject of the first part of medical preliminary examination that is to be taken at the same time as languages and mathematics, was only made public in Jane it appears that this notice might be considered as too short. The committee resolved therefore, to refer these five cases to the decisiou of the Senate. There were three who obtained over 20 per cent, of the marks requisite. These candidates were allowed to pass. PATENTS. John Joseph Howard, artist, of. Crossleystreet, Auckland, has applied for a patent for improved means for discharging silt barges and punts. Harry Waddington Smythies, of Remuera, has applied for a patent for an invention for concentrating the draught on to a fire in any fireplace or grate, for preventing sparks or live coals from flying out from the fire. Henry James Syms, of the Thames, has applied for a patent for an invention for a cordial to be designated Imperial Nectarine. KIHIKIHI. The special order of the Town Board adopting the Local Bodies' Loan Act, 1886, and the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, 18S6, appear in the Gazette.