THE RECORD REIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10408, 5 April 1897, Page 5

THE RECORD REIGN.

THE NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENTS. j [BY telegraph.—own CORKBEST.] Wellington, Saturday. The group of men composing the native contingent are the subject of anything but favourablecriticism, objection is that of expense. It is said that they have been chosen out of on? particular locality (Wairarapa) and that the Maori who has command is related to all of them, or that they are in some way interconnected with him. On this ground it is affirmed that they cannot be designated "representative of the native people of the colony." Then it is said the majority of them are half castes, and this circumstance takes them out of the category of " aboriginal natives.'' It is further alleged that they require to be paid five shillings a day during their absence. It is right they should be paid if they are tho right persons to be'sent to England. It is generally regretted that a different class of natives had not been chosen, men of better education, more successful scholars, or men of distinguished services like Kemp. There is a goodly number of genuine Rangatiras to be had, Maori masters of arts,.Maori barristers, Maori clergymen, Maori warriors like Kemp, men of fine physique who would require nothing except their passages to England and could live "on their own means while there. However, if tho House is inclined to vote the necessary cost there is no one inclined to throw any obstacles in their way. The Premier, this afternoon, in replying to a deputation to remonstrate against tho withdrawal of the Easter encampment, said the usual rflanasuvre9 would be held. He did not know how the rumour had got about that they were to be discontinued in consequence of the expense of the Royal celebration contingent, He considered it unfair to couple the question of the Easter encampment with the contingent's going to England. He denied that any of the contingent would get anything more than their passages, and*affirmed that the whole cosb of sending them to England would not exceed £3000.

WELLINGTON HOSPITAL.

Wellington, Saturday,

Since the Premier told the Hospital trustees that they should go to tho rich people of the town for help in building a new operating room for the Hospital, an active canvass has been undertaken. Two subscriptions of £50 and numbers of £25 have been obtained, and there will apparently be no difficulty in raising a considerable sum. The edifice is to be called the Victoria Operating Theatre, in memory of tho Queen's record reign.

MEDALS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN. Perth, April 3. The Government will distribute ten thousand silver medals amongst the school children as a memento of the Queen's record celebrations. THE VISIT OF THE PREMIERS. Adelaide, April 3. Mr. Kingston has finally decided to accompany the other Premiers to England.

PROPOSED WOMEN'S HOSPITAL.

Hobart, April 3. The Governor presided at an influential meeting in Launceston, at which it was decided to raise funds to erect a women's hospital to commemorate the Queen's re-

cord reign.