WELLINGTON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2215, 12 June 1908, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

(Special to “Times.”)

WELLINGTON, Juno 11

ELECTORAL ROLLS.

Instructions to have tho main electoral rolls completed by September next have been issued to the Government Printing Office. The work is how about one-third of the way through. It is understood that the supplementary roll printing is to be entrusted to private firms m the several '■centres of population, and this fact, together with the order respecting tho main rolls, gives probability to tlio rumor that the general election will bo held on this occasion at an earlier time than usual, probably during October. AN EXTINCT BIRD. Air. Harold Hamilton, of Dunedin, lias forwarded to his father (directoi of the Dominion Museum) tho upper beak of an extinct New Zealand crow, which was very like tho English crow. The specimen was found amongst the sandhills at Pura'kinui, The extinct species was first recognised from bones found at Chatham Islands by Proiessor Fords, several fairly . complete skeletons having been obtained from tlio Chatham Islands, but it is only recently that bones of any have been found an the mainland of New Zealand. A partial skeleton of the crow, obtained from tho Chatham Islands, is in the Dominion -Museum; It was collected by Air Travers. So far none of the remains of the extinct crow has been found in the North Island. THE HON. C. H. AIILLS.

I understand that in the event of the Hon. C. H. Mills deciding not to contest any seat for the House of Representatives at the coming election there is a strong probability of his being bailed to the Upper House. INDUSTRIES AVEE-K. Industries week here has been a success, and a similar display next year will be arranged. The secretary of tlie local Industries Association intends submitting a recommendation for a carnival week. It is urged that public holidays should be grouped so that the people would -have a clear week of merry-making, sight-seeing, and improving their minds in agreeable ways. It is sought to emulate the example of Christchurch, where the November Carnival AVeek attracts many hundreds to the city. That, however, included only two public holidays—-the King’s Birthday andtho People’s Day for tlie Agricultural and Pastoral Show. Various incidental attractions might bo arranged at Miramar as one of tbo carnival items. / HOUSE RENT. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day Air. Herdman-slid he believed it was impossible to -get a bouse in AVelfingfcon for less than 15s a week, and no one challenged the statement. (The owner of a four-roomed cottage at the somewhat, distant suburb of K-arori said he would think twice before letting it to a married man whoso earnings were-only £2 10s a week. CHARITABLE AID. It is understood, says the “Port-,” that it is the intention- of the Government to withdraw any subsidy on tlie part of the State-in the cjise of outdoor relief granted by Charitable Aid Boards and other charitable institutions. In lieu of that it is probable that orphan and destitute children in various institutions wall be taken charge of -and be maintained by the State. It is estimated that tfie cont-emplited withdrawal of the subsidy will he about balanced by the increased expenditure on orphan children. The members of tlie Hospital and Charitable Aid Conference wero informed yesterday by the Chairman (Dr. Valintine) that he would be in a position to make an import lilt .statement- on the questions. AVc understand that the matter was considered bv tlhe Cabinet today, but no decision has been arrived at. At the Conference this afternoon the Chairman said ho was not in a position to make his promised announcement.

■ THE FI-SHERJES. Of 140,000 Aitl uitie salmon ova recently imported from -Canada, 110,000 have been hatched out. The fry have been liberated in Lake Te Allan. The Fisheries Department is obtaining some thousands of ova from the quinnet salmon liberated in the HakatiTamea River.