WELLINGTON NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 713, 8 January 1903, Page 3

WELLINGTON NOTES.

CROWDED STEAMER,

(Special Message.) Wellington, Monday.

A passenger by the s.s. Rotomahana yesterday informs me that the Lyttelton Wharf was a scene of unusual excitement on Saturday evening prior to the steamer’s departure for Wellington. Holidaymakers were returning from their visit to the Cathedral City in groat force so as to be able to start their business duties on the following Monday morning; consequently there was a great demand for accommodation on the vessel. The gangway was rushed, and for many minutes the Customs officiate who wore present to boo that the vessel did not carry more passengers than her allotted number were in a little scrimmage. As it was, over 100 Wellingtooians had to defer their voyage till Monday, whereat there was much weeping aud gnashing of teeth. A few desperate voyagers secreted themselves in some curious places and escaped the vigilance of Customhouse officers. A CENTENARIAN.

Mr J. H. Williams, who to-day attained the rankß of the centenarians, has, with his tall spare figure, frock coat and tall Bilk hat, been a familiar figure on the Quay for many years. He took a loading part in amateur theatricals before ego laid its heavy hands upon him. At the Home for the Aged aud Needy, where he is spending his declining days, the old man was visited by a number of friends, who oasted nis health heartily.

NEW ZEALAND RIELE MEETING Mr VV. H. Field, M.H.K., patron of the Wellington District Defence Rifle Clubs’ Association, louud the following telegram from Mr Ouudou, dated from Jackson’s, gist ult., awaiting him on his return from Wanganui on Saturday night: •* I notice by tho press there is dissatisfaction on tho part of tho rifle clubs with the arrangement of tho programme for the New Zealand Defonce Force Championship Meeting in March next, and that a deputation was to see me on the subject later on. I shall be most happy to meet the deputation on my return to Wellington, and in the meantime you have my assurance that there is no desire on tho part of the Government to place ride clubs at a disadvantage, and if there is anything existing in tho regulations or in respect to the programme for the meeting which is proved to my satisfaction to bo unjust, I will do my best to remove the difficulty. I desire to give fair encouragement to tho rifle clubs of tho colony.” BANK OF NEW ZEALAND.

It has been reported olsowhero that Boveral changes are pending in tho Btaff of the Bank of Now Zealand at headquarters, but I am unable to find any authority for the correctness of the statement. Ministers, when spoken to individually on the subject, said they wero unable to vouch for its truth, and that tho matter had not been mentioned in Cabinet. Mr Seddon, who keeps jealous eye on this large monetary institution, could doubtless state authoritatively whether any such changes are contemplated, bht as ho is absent from the seat of Government just now nothing new is to be elicited till he returns. JAPANESE PLUMS. Orchardists in tho Auckland district who oultivato tho Japancso plum will perhaps be surprised to hear that it is one of the worst-growing trees in tho Wairarapa district, and a suggestion is made that it would be a good thing if tho whole nt that species wero to bo destroyed, as ibey seem to encourage so much blight that it spreads from them to other fruit trees. POLICE INQUIRY.

As tho outcome of an onquiry into charges preferred against Sergeant Griffiths, of the Dunedin police force, ho has been reduced in rank to a full grado constable- Constable Drew, of Stafford, West Coast, will probably be promoted sergeant tg fill the vacanoy in Dunedin,—Star.