WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11544, 1 December 1900, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

4V—. . . [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Friday. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. Th'e new Roman Catholic Church, erected on the site of the building destroyed by fire, is nearly finished. The former building was intensely Gothic in style; the present is in the form 01 a pure Roman basilica, with monic pillars, the pediments being surmounted by a cross. 1 understand there is some expectation that the stone of the new cathedral in Buckle-street Mill be laid in February by Cardinal Moral). It is not improbable that the new structure in Hillstreet will be consecrated about the same time. STANDARD MEASUREMENTS. The Hon. 0. F. Richardson surprised the Supreme Court this morning by stating in evidence that the one-chain standard measurement differs in each province of the colony. If a person wished to obtain an absolutely correct survey he would have to go to Sydney to get the necessary data. The New South Wales Government has lately laid down the measurement of the standard mile, which is adopted by Victoria, and probably will be accepted by the othei Australian colonies. The error would be difficult and expensive to rectify. Mr. Richardson said further that he would not like to vouch for the correctness of half of the existing standards in this city, from which street adjustments are made, on account of their disturbance by drainage works. MINISTERIAL. The Government steamer Tutanekai, with the i'remier and Mrs. Seddon on board, has returned to Greymoutb from Milford Sound. Mr. Seddon has sent to his colleagues a telegram, slating that, although bad weather was experienced to and from Milford Sound, the trip was an enjoyable one, and that his health is improved. The Hon. C, H. Mills is to leave Wellington to-day for Blenheim, returning on Wednesday next. TREE-PLANTING BY PRISONERS. The Inspector ot Prisons (Colonel Hume) has gone ij Rotorua to inspect the ground to be set apart foi tree-planting by prison labour. PUBLIC WORKS. M.. Blow, of the Public Works Depart- j ment, is at Kumara, conducting an inquiry into the management of the Government water-race. It is said the case is exciting great interest on the West Coast. Mr. Guinness is acting as counsel for Mr. Alex. Aitken, the manager 01 the race. MR. ROLLESTON. In a leader the Post this evening states: We would cordially welcome Mr. Rolleston on his return to the land of his adoption, and we would also venture to suggest that since his presence is so greatly missed in the House ot Representatives, he may be persuaded to consider the question of standing for Patea, when, as may soon be the case, there is a vacancy in th*- representation of that constituency.