WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12600, 2 March 1903, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

(Fkosc Our-Own Coiirespondent.). WELLINGTON, February 28. The much-needed consolidation of the New Zealand Statutes will be commenced by llio recently-appointed commission at an early date. Mr W. Joliffe, law draughtsman, who has been appointed secretary to tho commission, has already completed the consolidation of the statute law of New Zealand, and tho wo A of the commissioners will consist of examining that consolidation and reporting the result to Parliament. Tho task which Jlr Joliffe lias carried out is one of groat magnitude, and has occupied his time during the past six years. Everyone is cpmplaining of the weather, tho warm humidity of the atmosphere being exceedingly enervating. The fog that has been overhanging the coast tor the past two or three days has been exceptionally thick. Captain Phillips, of the Warrimoo, says it is on© of the worst he lias ever been in. His steamer was about 28 hours creeping from Farowell Spit to the Wellington entrance. Ho was on tho bridge from Tuesday night until his boat was berthed yestorday afternoon, and. lie spont a very anxious time, i General orders contain the following note: "It having'been decided to form three gun 15-pounder B.L. batteries at the four centres, three mark IV ftmis and three ammunition waggons each will be issued to A and D Batteries, and three mark I guns and three ammunition waggons each to B and T Battories at an oarly date. Tho guns at present on charge to the batteries concerned will be withdrawn, as soon as possible after tho resne of the new armament," . Tho Railway Department will in future allot carriages for the cxclusivA uso of Volunteers when travelling by rail, provided there is a sufficient number to warrant such. When this is dono members must occupy and remain in such carriages, and they nro forbidden to pass from ono carriage to another, Prisoners are to bo employed planting trees 011 Somos Island. Mr Dinnie, of Scotland Yard, who has been offered the position of Commissioner of Police in this colony in succession to Mr Tunbridgo, has been in the Criminal Investigation Penartmonfc for over 20 years, and during tho past 12 months has been engaged in investigating tlio extensive bank noto forgeries in London in connection with which over 20 Russian Jews have been convict,ml. The mess arrangements at the forthcoming Riflo Association meeting at Trentham are to ho considerably improved at tho coming mooting. ■ Colonel Porter, C.8., has been appointed to command tho Canterbury Volunteer district, and proceeds on Monday to take over the command from Colonel Webb. Colonel Porter has had experience as staff adjutant and in command of districts, and ranks next to Major-general Sir (x. Whitmore, who is sonioi Now Zealand officer on the New Zealand army list. The decision of the magistrate in the Newtown local option case came as somewhat of a surprise even to those in the trade. There is considerable diversity of opinion as to whether any licenses even now 0111 be issued, and it w evident that there will still be a good deal of litigation before the matter is finally settled. In view of the magistrate's decision the leadors of tho Newtown and Wellington No-liconso Leagues are considering what action can be taken to test the question of whether or not it ii possible for any licenses to be granted in Newtown, and whether or not a new poll can be demanded. At its last meeting the Wellington •No-liconse League gnvo full', consideration to the ease, and appointed a deputation to confer with tho Newtown Lcanue on tho subject. It also determined "to uso its influence to secure the return of fivo fairminded men who have announced their willingness to stand for the Wellington Licensing Committee." It, was further rosolvetl_ that as the league has failed to induce suitable men lioldina so-called "moderate" opinions on tho licensing question to stand and insist on tho observance of tho law, and as it is manifestly inconsistent for tho "trade" to avoir its intention to see the conduct of its business reformed, and then to nominate its own reformers, it has some rieht to oxpect that those citizens who really desire to see reforms offected in the conduct of tho "trade" will support tho nominees of.the [ No-lieen6e League. |