WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7914, 5 April 1887, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT,] t Wellington, Monday. THE FRENCH ADMIRAL AND AUCK-

LAND CITIZENS. Admiral de Saint Hiliare has written to the French Consul in Wellington, announcing the departure of the war vessel Duquesuo from Auckland. Ho speake in terms of uualloyed pleasure of hie reception in the Northern capital of the colony. He ia well pleased with the attention bestowed upon his officers and men, not only by the Vioe-Coasul of France in Auckland (Mr. Cruickehank), but by the munioipal and other local bodies.

THE KERMEDEC ISLANDS. The Royal letters patent authorising the annexation of these islands to Now Zealand have been received by the Government. They are issued under the Great Seal, but before the annexation will be proclaimed the Parliament of .New Zealand will be in- \ vited to make what provision may be neoee- j sary to give effect to the Imperial mandate. THE SHEEP AND RABBIT ACT. The sbeeuowners in the Kaikouraa have complained to tho Colonial Secretary of the conduct of aome of the inspectors under the above Aot. It was in this district that the Sheep Department found it necessary to adopt drastic measures for the eradication of scab. The runholders demand an inquiry, and, in compliance with their wishes, an inquiry will be held. LICENSING COMMITTEES. The following Lave been appointed committees in the undermentioned places where there was a failure of election : —Papakura : R. Brydon, Caleb Wsllis, R. J. Willis, D. Wilson, and J. Walker. Ma.naia (County Whangarei): J. Beasley (sen.), H. Morey (sen.), H. Moray (juu.), D. Robinson, and M, A. Williams. Okahu (County Hobson): F. Bradley, J. P., G. Dreardon, G. Kidd, G. Kirk, and R. Masefield. SUPREME COURT REPORTING BILL. The Minister of Justice hap, since the last session of Parliament, been in correspondence with a number of court officials, legal practitioners, and Parliamentary experts in the Australian colonies, with a view to obtain ae muoh information as poseible of the feasibility and advantage of the reform which he proposes. The object of the Bill has been much misunderstood. I understand that much of tho opposition which the Bill at first met with is likely to be withdrawn. It ia doubtful, however, whether the House of Representatives will have time to consider the proposal in all its details, but the prospect of its becoming law at no distant date is, I understand, much improved.