WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12187, 5 February 1903, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[BY TELEGRArn. —OWN correspondent.] Wellington Wednesday. A LARGE PURCHASE. . News has been received here that Mr. Chas. Pharazyn, formerly of the Wairarapa, and who is now living in London, has purchased 12,800,000 acres of cattle country in the northern part of South Australia. TRADE COMMISSIONERS. It is understood that Mr. J. G. Gow, who recently visited England, South Africa, and tho East, in the capacity of New Zealand Trade Commissioner, has now received the appointment of Resident Commercial Agent for the colony in England. He will leave for London at an early date. The Government will probably appoint another Commissioner to travel abroad later on in the interests of the colony's trade. DR. GRACE. The Hon. Dr. Grace, M.L.C., who has been ill for some time, shows no signs of improving, and his recovery is doubtful. EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION. The Wellington Employer's' Association has found it necessary to appoint a secretary who is able to give the whole of his time to the duites of his office. Mr. H. Field, formerly employers' representative on the Conciliation Board, has accepted the position, and his services will be available to employers in stating cases for the Conciliation Board and Arbitration Court. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S TRIP. The visit which Sir Joseph Ward is about to pay to Australia, has no political significance. He feels that he is entitled to a holiday, and means to take one. He and Lady Ward, and Miss Ward, will leave Wellington for Australia, via, the South, next wee-. MOTOR CAR ACCIDENT. The sequel to the first motor-car accident, which happened here last week, by which the daughter of a Salvation Army official was run over, occurred in the Magistrate's Court to-day. Robert Anderson, the driver of the car was charged with furious and negligent driving. Opinions as to the rate of speed at which the car was propelled, and whether the defendant gave sufficient warning of his approach, varied. Ultimately the justices imposed a fine of 40s with costs. A VOLUNTEER GRIEVANCE. The grievance of the " D " Battery with the Defence Department, which threatens to end in the disbandment of the corps, is not confined to the treatment which it 'has received in regard to deductions from its capitation allowance for renewing the barrels of the 12 carbines issued to it. The Department has decided to place a battery of three new 15-pounders in each of the four centres. Six of the guns have been used by the "D" Battery for some time past, but three of them are to be sent away to one of the other large cities. The Battery feels that its efficiency will be seriously impaired if it is to have only three guns