WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9150, 4 September 1888, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[by telegraph.special correspondent.] Wellington, Monday. According to present arrangements, Sir F. Whitaker, the Hon. E. Mitchelson (Minister of Public Works), the Hon. T. W. Hislop (Colonial Secretary), and Mr. Kelly M.H.R.), leave to-morrow morning by train for Taranaki, en route for Auckland. The Hon. Mr. Mitchelson will only have a day or two to spend in Auckland, having to return to Wellington to attend to pressing business, both regarding his own Department of Public Works, the re-organisation of the Native Land Court system, and Cabinet business. The Premier was desirous of going to his home at New Plymouth tomorrow, but has held his visit over till Mr. Mitchelson's return. THE RAILWAY board. A cabinet meeting was held to-day, concerning the Railway Board business. A final cablegram was sent to the AgentGeneral, to know whether there was any chance ot getting a suitable man as chief commissioner within the prescribed conditions, and on the receipt of a reply, favourable or otherwise, the Government will at once initiate steps to appoint a board. The name of Mr. Stead, of Christchurch, is given «in to-night's papers as a probable commissioner. On inquiry, lam authoritatively informed that there is nothing in it at present, but a chief commissioner will be appointed from Australia or from within the colony in default of getting a suitable man from home. THE DAIRY INSPECTOR. In a conversation with the Minister of Lands to-day he informed me that Mr. McCallum's report on dairying operations, arising out of his recent flying visit through the North Island, will be shortly printed and circulated. It appears that Mr. McCallum is suffering from a serious complaint, and under medical advice is compelled to relinquish active work for a couple of months. The Minister informs me it will probably be a month before he is able to visit the Auckland village special settlements. The season will then be more advanced and the roads better for travel. MR. LUNDON. Mr. John Lundon is still here, endeavouring to get a settlement of his claims in connection with the village settlements. The matter has been before the Cabinet, and as the whole question now is one of disputed accounts, these have been handed over to the Treasury to examine. Tho matter will probably be settled this week, and after deducting all payments on account, I have reason to believe the balance will be paid to him. MRS. AGNEW AND THE PREMIER. It was rather hard upon the Premier that after successfully getting through the perils of the session he should have come to loggerheads with that political Amazon Mrs. Agnew. To-day the good lady was bound over to keep the peace towards the Premier for one month, so that he will now have a brief respite for that period from the annoyances incident to his position. THE DEFENCE MINISTER. The Hon. T. Fergus leaves for the South on Monday. He will be accompanied as Defence Minister by Captain Hume, Inspector of Volunteers. I understand that Mr. Fergus will be entertained at mess dinners by the volunteer officers at Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill. The object is to become acquainted with the officers, and to have an informal conference over volunteer matters and the new volunteer regulations. He will go on to Melbourne, and expects to bo back under six weeks. THE NEW VOLUNTEER REGULATIONS. The new Volunteer regulations were submitted to the Defence Minister to-day for approval. The new code was prepared by officers who are well acquainted with what is needed by the New Zealand Volunteer service, and the Minister assured me to-day the regulations were a great improvement upon the previous code, as they are the outcome of recent practical experience. Mr. Fergus is at present; considering them with a view to their final approval and promulgation. THE INSPECTOR Or PRISONS. Captain Hume will probably visit Auckland on his return from the South on a tour of inspection of the Auckland Gaol and the prisoners at Fort Cautley. ACCIDENT TO COLONEL ERASER. Colonel Fraser has returned from the Mahakipawa goldfields, having been the subject of adventure by land and sea. He got stuck on the Blenheim bar, and in being transhipped from the vessel to the steamer outside got his foot jammed between the boat and the steamer, injuring his foot. He will probably rest the injured foot by staying a day or two in Wellington, going overland to Napier and joining the East Coast steamer there en route for Auckland. THE LAST OF THEM. There was a large crowd to-day on the wharf to see the last of the Southern members oft' in the Mararoa. Among the members who left were : Messrs Fulton, Fish, Scobie Mackenzie, Barron, Ross, and Walker. Mr. Hutchison, member for Wanganui, and Mrs. Hutchison were also passengers en route to the Melbourne Exhibition, and thence to England. It is his intention, if possible, to see the Paris Exhibition, and get back to his Parliamentary duties during the session. CHEESE EXPERT. I understand that the Government, with a view of encouraging and aiding the dairy industry, are wishful that Professor Long, the celebrated expert on this subject, and highly eulogised by the Agent-General in his despatch on the dairy industry to the Government, should visit the colony. If the expense will not be unreasonable it is likely arrangements will be made for the Professor's visit. GASPARINI. The French Consul, Count Jouff'ray d'Abbans, I learn, feels somewhat aggrieved over the Gasparini case. It arises in this way. The Hon. Ge®rge Fisher is Consul for Italy, and took an active interest in Gasparini as an Italian, in the exercise of his Consular duties for that Power. The Count considers that such action was incompatible with his duty as a Minister of the Crown, and not in harmony with the treaty of friendship subsisting between the British people and the French Republic. As a Consul it was Mr. Fisher's duty to watch over Gasparini's rights as an Italian subject; but as a Minister it was his duty to aid in every way in seeing Gasparini securely handed over to the French authorities. Naturally the Count thinks he should have elected to take the latter course. I understand that he intends to communicate with the Governor in ventilation of his grievance, but whether anything will come of it is quite another matter. DETECTIVE DOOLAN. Detective Doolan, of Auckland, passed through here to-day for Dunedin, but his transfer has been changed now to Christchurch.