WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12935, 30 March 1904, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

(Fkou Ot'n Own Coiir.Kapo>!DF.NT,) WELLINGTON, March 29. Mr William Calender has been appointed to the position of auditor ot the Bank of Now Zealand, at a salary of £1200 a ycsr. lie lias been cotmeeied villi (ho bank for tho past- 2i years. 1-le was born in Melbourne in 1355, his father, tho Into Mr James Ca'l"ndcr, l>umr a merchant in that, e;ty. In 1f63 Jlv OallcntUr removed to Christeliureli with his pm'iits, and two years Mor he reewved an appointment in the branch of tho Bank of Now Zealuid there, lie soon displaj'O'l special nptitiitio for the work, and from time to time received substantial promotion. Ai'lei 1 being in the hiKid office for some, time bo bccame manager at Wanganui, and then in turn assistant inspector and inspector, which latter position ho iw holds. Major Herbert Pileher, for many years a resident of Wellington, and who lias for somo years been manager of the South British' Fire and Marine Insurance Company at Capetown, has declined the position of ireneral manager of the Xow Zealand Stale. Firo Insurance Department. Ho is at present in Enirland. It is now thonjht prolific that 'cither Mr lirindley (of Sydney, formerly of Duncdin) or Mr Kent (of Auckland) will bo appointed to the position. An appointment is likely t/> ho inado in tho course of a few days. Though Mr Aitken has derided to become a candidate again for the mayoralty, ho in not to !>e returned unopposed. Mis old f.ppouent nf two years ago (Mr T. M. Wilford) has announced that he intends to contest the office. Mr Wilfovd's chances are better than they were at that time, hit oven giMiitiii!; this, he will have a very diltieuit task sot biin to defeat Mr Aitken. There is some fcflling amongst candidates concerning the action of Mr Aitken in first announui.e- I Int he would not seek another year of otlice and then Inter on coming forward, and the Hon. T. W. Hisioo, who had in the meantime jjkeu a half promise to Ins supporters to become a candidate, may ro on with the election notwithstanding the pre-sewo of Mr Aitken in tiio field. Should both Messrs Wilford and Hislop stand, however, .Mr AitkenVs return will bo assured from tho first, (Per United Press Association.) WELLIXfiTOX, March 29. Mr George Hunter Bethiine, head of the auctioneering firm of -I. 11. Bothuno itptl Co., who has ken ill for some weeks, died to-day, ajed 40 years. Recently deceaseu made an extensive tour round the world for the sake cf his health. The cause of death was consumption. Ho was for some veal's captain of the Star Hooting Club, and also took much interest in Volunteering. Deceased was a brother of Messrs Hector Bct'mine (manawr of the. 'Bank of Australasia), J. H. Bethuuo (of tho Duucdin firm of (iutlirie. Bowron, and Bot.hllno), W. E. Bcthime (of the Wellington firm), and Art-bur Botlume (of the Audit Department).