WELLINGTON NEWS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 17, Issue 6, 23 January 1903, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS.

(From ouh own CoBREsroNDENT) [Eg Telegraph.)

Wellington, Last Night. To-day is the anniversary of the Province of Wellington und a general holiday is being observed. Glorious weather is being experienced. There is a large attendance at the Wellington Racing Club’s Summer Meeting at the Hutt Park. The fine weather experienced throughout the colony during the past ten days has greatly improved the harvest prospects; a record yield is now expected. The Times says that there are fewer English tourists in Now Zealand this month than has been the rule in previous years at a corresponding period. It is surmised that the decrease in numbers is in great measure attributable to the Durbar at Delhi having attracted an unusual number of sightseers and travellers to India. The New Zealand and African Steamship Co.’s, steamer Kent, 9000 tons, will leave Wellington for Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town about the middle of February, The Sussex, another subsidised steamer of the Co., sailed yesterday for South African ports, via Sydney and Fremantle, with, a large miscellaneous cargo. Replies received to telegrams sent by the Napier Borough Council show that eleven boroughs have decided in favour of the weekly half-holiday being observed on Wednesday and six have fixed on Thursday. In only one place (Napier) is Saturday to be observed. The Premier, who returned from the south yesterday, left for Masterton this morning to attend the Liberal picnic, at Which Mr Hogg, the popular Member for that district, will receive a presentation from his constituents. Mr Seddon will at the same time be the recipient of a greenstone mere from the Wairarapa Maori es, Hon. Mr Mills is expected back from the north on Saturday evening. Mr C. W. linrsthonse, Chief Engineer of Roads, left for Picton last evening on a tour of inspection. Returning from Canterbury he will traverse the Trunk Railway route from Scargill to Seddon. The land which is to be thrown Open in the Nelson Province early in March comprises in all 11,000 acres; 6000 acres are to be offered on the Optional system and the remainder in small grazing runs. The land is in the Gordon District, south of Nelson. Some of the Midland Railway land iti Nelson, Westland, and Canterbury, which has been locked up for years, is to be thrown open for settlement as soon as the Government can complete the necessary arrangements for doing so. Another steamer is to be built for the Wellington Steam Ferry Company.