NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 January 1903, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

[per pbbss association.] Presentation to Seddon. Wellington, Jan 29 Prior to leaving for England, Mr Seddon was entertained at Dunedin, when a draft address was presented to him. Yesterday the Mayor of Dunedin waited on the Premier and presented the address in its (illuminated form. The souvenir, which is signed by the Mayor and Councillors of Dunedin is very handsome.

British Empire League. Advices from Home state that at a meeting of the British Empire League on December 11, a resolution was passed expressing satisfaction with the ou'.come of the recent conference betwcea the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Prime Ministers of the self governing colonies as a substantial apd practical contribution towards closer union of the Empire. Several masters, which the League had recommended to the notice of the Conference, were satisfactorily dealt'with. These included resolutions to hold periodical Imperial Conferences, and form colonial branches of the Royal Naval Reserve. Training Ship for New Zealand. When in England, the Premier approached the Admiralty, asking that one ; of the Australian Squadron vessels be placed at the disposal of the.'New Zealand Government as a training ship, and there i 3 every prospect of the request being granted. The Premier and Commander Noel have discussed the matter, and the latter thinks the Lizard or Sparrow suitable for th? purpose. The Premier's views on the question are that the training ship is necessary to drill ships *-* hich under the agreement are to form \>i> of the Australian and Now Zealand Squadron. Land for Settlement.

The Government propose to have the Flaxbourne estate acquired under the land for settlement Act, cut up with a view to furthering the policy of placing men employed on co-operative works on the land. The Government has instructedJMarsb, who has been connected with village settlements under the Land Act to proceed with various railway and road works, and assist the workmen employed thereon to apply for land under the block system and other ways as provided by the Act. New Zealand Bands. Masterton. This Day. Mr Ord Hume, who judges the forthcoming band contest, considers numerically the Masterton contest will be a record for Australasia. Referring to the Australian bands he said he found a lack of finish which was due to the want of professional instructors. If professional instructors were secured by Colonial bands, the latter would soon rise to the higher standard and possibly equal the first-class binds at home.