WELLINGTON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2115, 14 February 1908, Page 1

WELLINGTON.

(Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 12

On the Stock Exchange to-day, Auckland Tramway shares, 20s paid, sold at £1 4s 6d. Loylaud O’Brien United sold at £2 5s ; Talismans at £2 Pis Cd, For the Waihi shares £8 17s Gd is now asked.

At the beginning of March there is to oe a ballot, by the police force lor the purpose of ascertaining whether memoers are. desirous of joining tlio Government Superannuation scheme, or whether they will continue under tho Police Provident Fund,, which on 31,st: March last was about £30,000 in credit.

A mistake on the part of the Postal Department caused a hitch in tlio proceedings of the Congregational

Union this week, owing to the nonarrival of the annual report from tho Otago district. This morning, however, it was announced that the re-

port which had been posted in Dunedin on' sth February, but had been wrongfully delivered, had just conic to hand ,

Writing on Ist February the representatives of the Tourist and Industries Departments at Sydney stated that numbers of young men with agricultural experience were iinding their way across to New Zealand in search of employment. Inquiries concerning settlement in New Zealand were also plentiful, and tliero was no diminution in the tourist traf-

Alr. Robert Smith, for some years accountant of the Bank of Australasia in Wellington, Inis been a-T)(lu-ted the local manager in succession to Air. A. P. Brewster, promoted to the position of inspector for tlio colony. Air. Smith was captain of tho Star Boating Club for several terms, and about twelve years ago lie was appointed to the charge of the bank’s branch in Napier, and was transferred from there to Dunedin between

tbreo and four years ago. Ho will be succeeded at Dunedin by Afr. T. T. Millar,: manager at Palmerston North, formerly accountant at the Wellington branch. The Rev. Dr Gibb, of St. John’s Church, leaves on Friday on a visit to .the Alother Country. During his absence it has been arranged that tlio services at St. John’s will be taken in

turn by tho following:—Revs. A. Whyte, Af.A., B:D., of Havelock; J. Jolly, AI.A., of Palmerston; It. J. Porter, of Oamaru; and W. Grant, of'Gisborne. The Australian ministers who are coining over aro:— Revs. J. F. Macrae, AI.A., of Toorak, Alelbournc; A. R. Osborne, ALA , of Warrnnmbool; and J, Crookstonc, AI.A., 8.D., of Boiuligo. The Australian grapes that arrived to-day were all from New. South Wales, a regular number of the boxes belli 0 * labelled “Bank of New South Wales Rvde Orchard.” A few boxes of “Ladies’ Fingers” sent were not in first-rate condition, but tho black Hamburgs w’ero excellent. Since early morning the Government inspector and his assistants have been liusv examining the fruit. AA hen the eases were opoifed it was disappointing to discover that the fruit had considerably deteriorated, owing, it is supposed, to delay in transhipment at Svdney, an error that corat J growers should remedy bj iin ’ V” their consignment to arrive on tlio day the New florid steamer Icnvcs. Sd at 6id and 7d sonic condition onU realised 2d amt do.