WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 12

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, March 26

The Premier, who is said to feel the •going up and down stairs in Government Buildings, is having his office shifted 'to ■Parliament JBuildings, where he will occupy the Speaker's rooms. Mr Seddon has recently had the grounds surrounding his house enlarged, and he is now having an addition made to the house itself. March 28.

Some three months ago I wired you that Mr John G. Gow, of Dunedin, was likely to receive an appointment in the Department of Industries and Commerce. Mr Gow was amongst the numerous applicants for the position of secretary to the new department?, but none of the applicants received the appointment. It is now generally understood that there were so many Applicants for tie position, and so many friends of the Government amongst them, that the Cabinet was somewhat embarrassed in regard to the matter. 'Has difficulty was solved by the appointment of Mr T. E. Donne-— an, apjiomimciit wliic-li

came as a surprise to the commercial community, for though Mr Donne is a very capable man and an organiser with original ideas he had had no direct connection with trade and commerce apart from the experience he had gained in the Railway department. It was thought at the time that a practical man would be appointed later on, and this has proved to be the case, for Mr J. G. Gow has now received the appointment. Mr Gow"s mission wilL be to make a systematic effort to open up fresh markets for the colony's products in various parts of the world. With that object in view, he will shortly leave on an extended tour. After visiting the different centres of the colony, he will go to South Africa, and possibly to Japan, and thence to Great Britain. ' In the course of his travels he will collect all the information which he considers will be of value to New Zealand producers. Mr Gow is well known m the South Island as a commercial traveller, having been for many years employed by the firm of Messrs Rattray and Son. Mr Gow has i bi other in Wellington. He i- the medical .superintendent of the Mount Vi? I.1 '. Asylum. _Auinncrs.t l .VjmX, viflliOJS tO Wtllui_'toll

were Mrs Martendale and the Misses Martendale, Englishwomen, who are taking a keen interest in the various phases of colonial life. Mrs Martendale i« identified with Church House, Brighton, and is a

strong supporter of women's franchise, having been in close touch with &uch leaders as Ladies Carlisle, Aberdeen, and Somerset. She is making inquiries as to the progress of women in the colonies. Her eldest daughter is a fully qualified physician, and has been interested in our hospitals. Ihe younger Mi&s, Martendale has been making particular inquiries upon the Continent of Europe, in India, Australia, and New Zealand about the provision made by the State in each country for the caie of cbildien. The trio have now gone on to Auckland. It is thought in official circles that the Government will shortly appoint Mr Barron to the position of Surveyor-general. Some members of Parliament object to Mr Barron's receiving the appointment, mainly on the ground of the past administiation of roads and budges by the depaitment. 'J hih difficulty will be solved by the appo ii'nient of Mr Hm&thouse to take charge of tlis load.', and bridges section oi tie

Lands depaitment. Mr Huiatliou&e is quite an expert ut tlui so^t of work — indeed, no better man for the portion could be secured in the colon y. Apiil 1. The I'remier denies the somewhat vague rumour recently zn circulation that the Hon. Mr Ward wa<. about to take over the Colonial Treasurership. Mr Seddon evidently v mLes to retain his grip on the New Zealand finances vet a while.

(Speculation is rife as to what Mr Seddon is likely to get as a reward for his Imperialism. Most people think he ought to get a baronetcy, or perhaps a paid position in an Imperial Council, but then there i's no Imperial Council &o far. It is fully expected that the Hon. Mr Ward will be knighted in connection with the visit of the Duke of Cornwall, and that the mayors of the tour principal cities to be visited by the Duke and Duchess will also receive knigLthood. So far the New Zealand Shipping Company is the only company which has informed the Government of the rates of freight it proposes to charge under the scheme which the Government is promoting for a direct steamer service to South Africa. No definite arrangements will be made till the other companies tendering luve given similar information.

In connection with the proposed new industrial school at Levin it is understood that Ministers have decided on tailing about 400 acres from the Horowhenua No. 6 block. This area -will be transferred to the Education department, and a start will at once be made with the clearing of about 20 acres for the school site.

A camp is to be held near one of the coastal villages daring Easter by the members of the Young Men's Bible c-asses belonging to St. John's Presbyterian Church, Wellington, and St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Cbxistehurcli. About 100 lads and young men will be under canvas.