WELLINGTON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2180, 2 May 1908, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(Special to Times.J STOCK EXCHANGE. WELLINGTON, Alay 1. On the Stock Exchange Talismans worn accepted at £2 10s 9d, and £2 11s. AVaihi found buyers at £9 10s3d, .and £9 10s 6d. In the investment section Dongahy Rope changed hands at £6. I.S. and Westport Coal (cum dividend) were sold at £6 19s 9d. DEATH OF A AVELLINGTON ATHLETE. Mr. Orlando AVells, at ono time a well-known footballor and atheloto, died at AVellington hospital on Tuesday, aged 53. 110 camo from Auckland three months ago to assist his brothers-in-law, Alessrs McLean Bros., to build tlio Wellington dock, 110 contracted fever, and complications occurring, lie succumbed to tho illness. THE ART OF SHIPBUILDING A sight of tho clipper bow of the Rotomahnna brought back memories to Colonel Denny (of the famousshipbuilding firm). The Rotomabana is now in New Zealand. She was built in L 879, and was the first mild stool vessel in the world. Speaking to a number of shipping and commercial men this morning, Colonel Denny expressed his personal regret at the passing jf the clipper bow. “Art,” said ho, “is now sacrificed to utility.” As a shipbuilder, lie thought this was a pity, hut shipowners had their views on the subject, too, and builders had to meet them. The clipper bow had its disadvantages from an owner« point of view, and builders could not iow-a-days inspire them with enthuiasni about ,it. The clipper bow, it was complained, took up too much room ami sometimes thrust itself into tlie second story of a warehouse. The straight stem, it was to be feared, from an aesthetic point of view, had entirely displaced the beautiful clipper boiv. AVHO IS AIR. AIUNEO?

At till Court of Appeal this mornng. Mr. Justice Edwards asked tbe itartling question “AA’ho is Air. G. S. Munre?” AVlien the laughter subsided dis Honor intimated that he did not mow. “I don’t wonder,” added Mr. Ikerret K.C., “it is difficult to know vhat lie is. At one time lie was ‘hairman of tho Exhibition Comnissioners.” Air.' Justice Denniston idded, “I don’t know what he was; r know what he acted as” (renewed aughter). -Air. Harper observed: “It vas stated b" my friend, Air. Sker•ett, that lie was king of the Exhibition.?’ “Tho Czar of all Russians .ie was called,” said. Air. Justice Den•liston. “Originally lie was- a- Westcoaster,” concluded Air. Justice Chapnan (loud laughter). AIR. STEAD’S DECEASE.

AVhenever one hears Mr. Stead s 'eath mentioned, and it is very freluently mentioned, the reference is .ccompanied by expressions of re'ret. Indeed, it is safe to say that ’he great majority of people are just >eginning to realise his full value as i citizen of tho Dominion. On every ..and it is now admitted that through lis decease not only Canterbury, but die Dominion as a whole, has suffered a serious loss. FIRE INSURANCE.

A conference of representatives of he different fire and marine iusurince companies doing buiness in the lominion has been sitting here durng the past few days, and concluded ts sittings to-day. The proceedings, f course, were private. I undertand, however, that the prediction ecently made in certain quarters that ire rates were to be raised has not oeen fulfilled. THE JAPANESE EXPLOSION.

The which was blown ip while at anchor at tho Pescadores, vas hero thirteen months ago.along vith the Hashidate and the Itsukuhitna. She was a twin-screw steel

nmoured cruiser of 4277 tons, 5400 :orse-power, and carried 28 guns, and ike her companions was used as a •raining ship. The officers were Capaiu K. Nomaguohi, Commander Al. icshida, Lioutenant-Comamnders G. vatsuki and Al. Naruse, Lieutenants C. Uyega, H. Akinoao, J. Nachida, I. iimesha, and H. Akiyama, and she had a crew of about 300. Probably he officers who were in the ship when he was in New Zealand have since >een transferred to other vessels. luioed, I have now before me. a letter rom one of the Alatsusliima officers, he opening ■ lines of which run as ollo’ws: “H.J.J.S. Kasuga Kure. Dec. 29th, 1907. Dear You must excuse me for having bo ong time to write you. Our squadron arrived to Japan at the beginning >i August, and I changed to this ship it the Ist of September,” The officer in question Bends a picture of Alt, Fujiyama, and adds, “It ••cry much resembles Alt. Egmojjt. Please compare these mighty mountains.” The Japanese, both officers iud men. made many friends during their brief stay in Wellington, and several have kept up a correspondence .o this day. AAIERICAN MONEY.

The President of .the Wellington Shopkeepers’ Association estimates chat there will bo in Auckland 6omo 12,000 to 13,000 American sailors vlien the fleet arrives, and that, coming direct from Honolulu, in all probability they will liavo no English gold. As they were likely to have 020,000 to spend, Auckland. shopkeepers would, he saiv, bo,at a great disadvantage- because there was no bureau de change where they could exchange American money for English. Ho suggested that the Government be approached with a view to establishing a. temporary bureau do change at the local tourist office, l’liere ivas but little variation in the value of American money,, perhaps Jd in the £, and he thought the Government- could best undertako the business. Air. Alillington said he had recently taken two twenty dollar pieces in Wellington, and had the utmost difficulty in getting rid of them; The bank would nob look at them. The lecretary 6aid ho was under the impression that the Alayor of Auckland had already thought of a plan by which exchange could be effected, but the idea, in any case, ivas a good one. It ivas decided to address the Prime Minister, on tho subject.'