WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11625, 12 April 1901, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington,, Thursday. MINISTERIAL. The Premier returned to Wellington from the West Coast 01 the South Island in the Tutanekai this afternoon. OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. Some doubt existed as to whether Parliament would be convened before or after the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. The Minister for Lauds has, however, set the doubt at rest by stating that the House will not sit until the end of June. He further states that the business to be brought forward during the session is man advanced state of preparation. He has himself several amendments of the Land Act to propose. LADY SHORTHAND WRITERS. I hear that several ladies have resolved to make application to be admitted as official shorthand writers to the Supreme Court and other Courts on record. The regulations do not state whether ladies will be admitted. lam told that they are disposed to bring forward a test case. It is said that many of them have the faculty of rapid shorthand writing, but no difficulty presents itself on this score. The difficulty will be in their knowledge of law and legal procedure. , THE COAL MINES AT THE GREY. The Minister for Mines has received a letter from the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce, urging that he should not sanction the transfer of any coal mine in the Grey i district, unless a clause is inserted in the deed giving the proposed new steamship company the right to obtain coal on even terms with the Union Company. AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. The Department has acquired two Angora goats, which were formerly part of the estate of Sir Samuel Wilson, in Victoria. Thev are at present on Soames Island. Several other animals of the same kind have been purchased by the Department from Mr. , Scanner's stock in South Australia. The animals are brought for stud purposes. MASONIC ORPHANAGE. Dr. Gloss, who is interesting himself in this object, has returned to Wellington. He has received during his tour through the • northern districts of the colony very flattering encouragement. He has gone South in the further interest of his benevolent I mission. HOMEWARD BOUND. Sir Westby Perceval and Miss Perceval go to Melbourne to-day by the s.s. Westralia.' ! GOVERNMENT TRADE COMMISSIONER. Mr. Gow, of Dunedin, who has been appointee' to be Commissioner, is expected here next week, to take over the administration of trade and industry under the Hon. J. G. Ward. TEACHERS'SALARIES. The Royal Commission on teachers' salaries has at length been appointed. The Commissioners will be ,as follows : —EducaI ticn' Board presents*;yes, Mr. Luke (a member of tins AucklaiKi Education Board), Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.H.R. (oi the Wellington Education Board), Mr. T. Mackenzie, M.H.R. (of the Otago Education Board), Mr. T. S. Weston (of the Canterbury Education Board), Mr. P. Y. Lethbridge, M.H.R. (of the Wanganui Education Board) ;, inspectors' representatives, Mr. H. Hill (inspector of schools, Hawke's Bay), Mr. John Smith (inspector 01 schools, Marlborough); teachers' representatives, Mr. M. Gilfedder, M.H.R. for Wallace, Mr. Davidson (president of the Institute of Teachers, Otago), Mr. Stewart (ex-president of the Institute of Teachers, Auckland. • > The first meeting of the Commission will be held in Wellington next Monday, the 22nd inst. COMMANDER OF THE FORCES. It is expected that C&kuial Robin, who is vii his ..v-jiy from Africa, '"..11 be appointed Commander; of the Forces id New Zealand, vice Colonel >le-Penton, who retires. \ . MUNICIPAL ELECTION, ? The Tiad' 1 .' 1 Council tkly morning for•j Warded .<& . rarclutbn of .-thai? body to , Mr. Aitken in favour of -rating ion improved value. The object was no doubt to "stick up" the candidate. The Mayor replies,that he had always »been in favour of operating upon unimproved land values.,