WELLINGTON SPECIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 282, 7 December 1901, Page 2

WELLINGTON SPECIAL.

A LIBEL ACTION

(Special to Times.) Wellington, last night. Mr Victor Braund, formerly inspecting accountant of the Union Bank, against which he engaged in expensive litigation years ago, is bringing an action for libel against the Pahiatua Herald, claiming a thousand pounds as damages. Mr Braund acted as Wellington correspondent for the paper, undone of his cont ributions brought down upon himself some warm comments in the editorial columns of the paper.

TIMBER TRADE. In view of the removal by the Federal Governmentjof the duty on white pine, it is improbable that the New Zealand Government will bring the retaliatory Act of last session into operation, except as it relates to export duty on white pine logs. A considerable number of these are sent across to the other side, where they aro cut up into marketable timber, which competes adversely with the sawn timber sent from this colony. If the whole of the colony’s timber trade was confined to logs half the mills in the colony would have to shut up or make a very extensive reduction in the number of hands employed.

APPOINTMENT.

The new Under-Secretary for Lands will not be appointed until after Messrs Mat-chant and Barron, who become Sur-veyor-General and Land Purchase Commissioner respectively, have taken office at the beginning of the New Year. There is still much speculation as to who will get the Under-Secretaryship. It is stated that Mr James MclCerrow, retiring Chairman of the Land Purchase Board, protested vainly against being retired, but it was considered that he was blocking the way to the advancement of younger men. He is reported to be a wealthy man, worth probably fifty thousand pounds. RETIRED SERVANTS.

A number of railway servants, who are over the age limit, are among tho recent batch of retired civil servants. The Act prescribes retirement at 60, but many' are over 70; so they cannot complain. PROBATION ACT.

Judge Edwards observed during the hearing of a case in the Supreme Court this morning that he was very much afraid that the provisions of the First Offenders Probation Act were being abused; that young men thought they could commit any crime they liked with impunity on the first occasion. If that was found to be the case the use of the Act would be discontinued. He had

grave reasons for supposing that the im pression he had referred to was growing.

RHEUMATISM. The Public Health Department has imported a Tallermap apparatus fur the treatment of rheumatism, sciatica, and kindred complaints. ' One is to be sent to the Sanatorium at Harnner Springs, and the other to Rotorua. The treatment consists of the application of hot air, from which the moisture has been drawn off, to the affected parts,