WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11368, 10 May 1900, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[by telegram.—own correspondent.] Wellington, Wednesday. MINISTER FOR LANDS.

It is the intention of the Premier, before he starts upon his holiday trip, to visit the Hon. J. McKenzio at his home in Shag Valley. The news received from Mr. McKenzie is that he is improving, and entertains hopes of his complete restoration to health. SCHOOL TEACHERS' SALARIES. It is intended that there shall bo a uniform and colonial scalo of salaries. The matter has been under consideration for sometime past. The Government have formulated a scheme which it is hoped will receivo the approval of tho Boards of Education, and tho teachers under them. It is understood that payments will be made to the teachers by the Government each month. If this is done Parliament will be asked to increase the capitation grant. REDUCTION OF CABLE RATES. The Postmaster-General has received the following cable from Mr. Warren, the Australasian agent for the Eastern Extension Company :—" Cannot agree with your argument that lower rates should rule for places distant from great commercial centres, because the cost of maintenance and working the cable must necessarily be greater, therefore the tariff, instead of being lower, should be proportionately higher. The company, however, wishing to serve the interests of the colonies, has given New Zealand the cheapest cable service in the world. If there is any further information required will you kindly write." WORKMEN'S HOMES. Eighty acres are to be acquired for this purpose at the Hutt, An offer has been made to Mr. Riddiford, the owner of certain land suitable. The land for these homes is to be given workmen on the lease-in-perpetuity system, and the area allowed is anything up to three acres, which it is contended is ample for the wants of the avenge workman who desires to cultivate ver . ables or grow fruit. LAND FOR SF'TLEMENT. The Government has made an offer to the trustees of the Rhodes' Estate (3500 acres), I at the land tax value. This land is along I the main road between Bulls and Turakina, j The idea is to cut up the land for dairy j farms.

Tilt; INDIAN FAMINE AND OTTAWA

FIRE.

Mr. G. Fisher, M.H.R., telegraphed as follows to the Premier, in reply to tlio Government's suggestion that contributions should be made from the Treasury for the relief of the sufferers by the Ottawa tire and the Indian famine "Re Indian famine and Ottawa fire : As the British Dominions are more than ever federated into a nation with one heart bent, and one well-defined conception of the ascendancy of the race, there can be but one feeling, and one consideration, in the mind and eye of every true patriot—the feeling of affection and duty in any case of national calamity. The Government will, therefore, have my full and loyal support in any step they may determine to take."