WELLINGTON NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 297, 23 December 1901, Page 2

WELLINGTON NEWS.

DECORATIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, last night. His Excellency the Governor yesterday presented new modal ribbons to fourteen naval and military veterans. EXPERT'S REPORT.

Mr Ct. Bogue, an American expert who | is expected to arrive at Auckland tomorrow, will make a report on the Otira i section of the Midland railway for j Government. PRESENTATION. Mr J. W. S. Manchant, who has been promoted from Commissioner of Crown Lands for Wellington to that of SurveyorGeneral, was on Saturday presented with a service of plate by past and present officers of the Lands and Survey Department who had served with him. In the absence of the Minister of Lands tho presentation was made by the Hon. W. Hall-Jones. PRINTING OFFICE CHANGES. Mr James Burns, superintending overseer of the Government Printing and Stationery Department, with which he has been connected for thirty-seven years, was yesterday presented by tho staff with a valuable service of plate on his retirement from the service on pension. Mr Burns will bo succeeded by Mr J. Gamble, and Mr B. Wilson will take Mr Gamble’s placo as first overseer.

ROYAL APPRECIATON. The Premier lias received the following memorandum for His Excellency the Governor : “ I have received a telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 20th December, stating with reference to a telegram sent thatover 1100 men havo volunteered in 24 hours for tho Eighth New Zealand Contingent for South Africa, that His Majesty’s Government warmly congratulates your Ministers on the splonlid spirit shown b.y the colony, and thoroughly appreciates it.” FUMIGATION OF FRUIT.

The Cabinet has sanctioned tho suggestion of the Department of Agrieultucc to reduce the charges for fumigation of imported fruit, viz., from Cook Island, being now annexed to New Zealand from yd to Id ; other British Islands in the Pacific, from 3d to lid. Other charges remain as at present. HOLIDAY-MAKERS. The exodus from the city of holidaymakers has commenced in earnest. Six hundred left by steamers yestorday for the South Island, and all the trains were crowded.