DOMINION TELEGRAMS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 33, 7 February 1913, Page 6

DOMINION TELEGRAMS.

INTERNAL AFFAIRS. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, February 6. The Government has decided to establish a special branch of the Interna Affairs .Department, dealing with local government, Mr G. P. Newton, at present chief clerk of Internal Affairs, will take 1 charge of this work, with the designation of Assistant-Under-Secretary. To fill the vacancy, Mr P. G. Kellelier (clerk in charge of the Government advertising branch) becomes chief clerk of internal affairs. Mr A. R. Kennedy, accountant in the Internal Affairs Department, takes up the duties of clerk in charge of the advertising branch, in addition to bis present duties.

TELEGRAPH 1C GRIEVANCES. Dunedin, February 0. The Star alleges serious discontent in the Dunedin telegraph office, consequent on the slowness of promotion after operators have passed severe examinations. In Australia better pay is offered and shorter hours. Boys entering the service have no guarantee of promotion, ami consequently prefer commercial work. CONTROLLING THE TRAFFIC. Wellington, February 7. The Minister of Justice (Hon. A. L. Herdrnan) expressed his willingness to take over control of the traffic provided the City Council would contribute £SOO annually. The Council last night agreed to this proposal. LAW OFFICERS’ REPORT ON CROWN LEASES. Wellington, February 7. In connection with the Southland coal lease, the Crown Law Office lias reported to the Premier. The report draws distinction between two kinds of lease-in-perpetuity. The section under which Brighton’s land was leased was 121 of the Land Act of 1892 (which was embodied in the Act of 1908), and reserves the minerals, and the right to enter and take them, to the Crown. The lease includes only the surface and nothing below it. The purchaser of lands, concludes the report, does not purchase the minerals.

GENERAL GODLEY’S TOUR. Wellington, February 7. General Godley leaves shortly on a visit to England to attend the British Army manoeuvres, and to confer with officers commanding the defence forces in the various dominions and with the Imperial authorities, with a view to co-operation in trainipg and administrative control of the Empire’s defence forces. The Post authoritatively denies the rumour that General Godley intends to resign from the position as commandant. A CASE OF FREEHOLD. Invercargill, February 7. Gavin Brighton, who has been prominent in connection with the controversy over the recent land transaction, acting under advice intends to institute proceedings at the first sitting of the Supreme Court to compel the Lands Department to grant him the freehold title of the coal-bearing areas held by him unless leaso-in-perpetuity. Two applications for the freehold of such sections were made by Brighton, but were held over at the last meeting of the Land Board.