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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1095, 24 February 1893, Page 22

Colonel Fox is about to leave for Nelson, the West Coast and South Canterbury to complete his inspection of the defences of the Colony, and on his return he will furnish a supplementary report. By the time this supplementary report has been received the time for action will have arrived. The Minister of Public Works is considering the advisability of making arrangements for the introduction of the electric light to Parliament Buildings, Government House and the general Government offices, a subject upon which Dr Lemon recently presented a detailed report. If the Government decide to adopt the electric light they will themselves arrange for two installations, one for the Government Buildings and Government House, while the Parliament Buildings will be supplied by a separate installation from the Government Printing Office. There is also under consideration the question of constructing a fireproof brick building for the Parliamentary library. This formed part of the original plans. The Minister has determined to engage Mr Turnbull, the well-known architect, to report on this matter, and also upon the best means of ventilating the Parliament Building?, No pains will be spared to have the ventilation in a thoroughly satisfactory state by next session.

His Excellency the Governor, Lady Glasgow and suite returned to Wellington by the Government steamer Hinemoa on Wednesday. The Duchess of Buckingham and Chandos and Miss Wolfe-Murray were also passengers. The party joined the Hinemoa at the Bluff on the Ist inst, and with the exception of His Excellency and one of his daughters, who travelled overland from Westport to Nelson, remained on board the steamer until her arrival on Wednesday. The Bimutaka, from London via Plymouth, Teneriffe, Capetown and Hobart, arrived here on Wednesday, after an uneventful voyage. Her cargo consists of 1520 tons for all ports. The names of her passengers will be found in our shipping column. The only alteration in the personnel of her officers is that Mr Kennaway (formerly third officer) has been succeeded by Mr White-Parsons. The Hon Mr Cadman returned to Wellington on Wednesday from the South.

Mr Fred, Ball, who left for Napier yesterday morning to enter upon his duties as receiver of land revenue in the metropolis of Hawke’s Bay, has been presented by the officers of the Land and Survey Department with a goldmounted greenstone pendant, silver matchbox, gold-mounted cigar-holder in case, and another case containing two silver-mounted pipes.

The annual tea to the ‘mothers’ of the meetings took place on Wednesday at the Girls’ Friendly Society Lodge, and was most successful. It is always held under the auspices of the Wellington Ladies’ Christian Association, and is presided over by the leaders and helpers of the 1 Mothers’ Meetings.' There were 62 mothers at tea, and the ladies assisting were—Mesdames Fulton, Petherick, Boxali, Moir, Tutchen, Costall, Barnes, Billman and Tattle. After tea the chair was taken by the President, Mrs Fitz Gerald, and songs and recitations made a very pleasaut time pass quickly. Among the visitors were Mesdames Menzies, Waters, Hartmann, Dumbell, Dodgshun, Armstrong, C. W. Smith and Dallaaton. The Manawatu Times learns that Mr John Bradley has given an acre of land at Shannon for a Catholic Church, and Mr J. McDonald has given a town section at Levin for a similar purpose.

The resignation by Mr Welch, of Palmerston North, of his position as J.P. has been accepted by the Government. Mr G. S. Cooper has vacated the Government residence in Museum street and gone to live at Karori. The residence in question, popularly known as Museum House, > is to be at once put in complete repair, and in a day or two applications will be invited for its occupation. The December number of the Journal of the Polynesian Society, which is just to hand, fully sustains the reputation gained |by previous numbers for interesting and instructive reading. Mr A. Shand, of Chatham Island, contributes soma more interesting information os to the occupation of the Chatham Islands by. the Maoris in 1835, and Judge W. E. Gudgeon writes an excellent paper on Maori migrations to New Zealand. Other papers, there are, all equally good, the number as a whole being a most readable one. The full list of tenders received by the Public Works Department for the erection of a residence for the medical superintendent of the Seacliff Asylum, Otago, is as follows Carpenters’ and joiners’ work—R. Knowles, Dunedin (accepted), L 550; 11. M. Henderson and Co., Dunedin, L 669 ; J. Luun,, Dunedin, LC93; H. Doulby, Dunedin, L 770; W. Woods, Dunedin, L 834. Plumbers’ work—A. and T. Burt, Dunedin (accepted), L 15 4; A. Morrison and Co., Dunedin, L 15 9; Walker Bros,, Dunedin, L 159: J. and T. Christie, Dunedin, L 166. Bricklayers’ work —W. King, Dunedin (accepted), L 92 ; J. E. White, Dunedin, Llls ; A. Wood, Dunedin, L 12 2; R. Knowlea, Dunedin, L 12 8; H. Doulby, Dunedin, L 167. Plasterers’ work— R. Knowles, Dunedin (accepted), L 66. Painting and paperhanging —Smith and Smith, Dunedin (accepted), L 11 9; J. Nisbett, Dunedin, L 12 5; Wright and Son, Dunedin, L 133.

The Minister of Lands is considering the expediency of devising a scheme for the disposal of unoccupied Crown lands in the Upper Clarence district, which lies chiefly in the Nelson provincial district, the remainder being comprised within the borders of Marlborough. The new building in Whitmore street, erected for the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, will be opened by His Excellency the Governor on Saturday next at 3 p.m. The loan exhibition in aid of the building fund will be kept open daily until the 4th of March. A very large aud fashionable gathering is expected on Saturday,