IN OTHER CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 171, 13 April 1908, Page 8

IN OTHER CENTRES.

(BT TELEGRAPH—SrEOIAL CORRESPONDENTS.) :—4— —vAUCKLAND. Ajiril 11. The Order-in-Council in connection with tho construction of tho proposed Takapuna tramway will bo applied for shortly, and it is expected tliat the work will bo put in hand in a few months. \ VViiler Tramcnrs. Mr. I'. M. Hansen while in Wellington recently obtained a preliminary consent from the Public Works Dpartment for the use of cars Bft. in width, or Gin. wider than the electric cars at present operating in the city. Provision will also bo made in tho Order-in-Council for tho use of trailers and tho adoption of either steam or" electric traction as may be desired. Supply of Oil. Misgivings held locally as to the'shortage of-oil'have been dispelled by the arrival of the steamer Orange Branch from Sydney, which brought to Auckland over 22,000 casos. Benzine, naphtha, and motor oil aro included in the shipment. , / A Question of Work. ' Somo wholesome advice was given at' tho Magistrate's Court by Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., to a man who was convicted of breaking a probation order. Tho' man, in reply, to a (juostion as to why .ho had not obtained work, as lie, had promised to do when previously before tho Court, assorted that he was unable to pay his' fare to a job in the country, where the Labour Department offered'to send him, and that tho Department would not provido him j with a pass. " Then why didn't' you como back and see me?" asked Mr. Kettle. Defendant replied that, he had never; been in a similar position before, and hoi did not know, what to do. He further added that ho didn't go to the People's Shelter for a bed because ho." didn't want to cadge " while thore was a chance of work! The Magistrate in reply said there was not the slightest, desire on tho part of the authorities" or himself to hound down a man who was honestly endeavouring to procure employment, but '.if a man would not take work when it was offered ho would be treated accordingly. Addressing defendant, Mr. liettlf continued: "It is. a disgraceful thing that a strong, able-bodied young man like y<Su should be loafing abput the city doing nothing. You will be remanded till to-morrow/ morning, and I will interview Mr. Shanaghaii and see what I can do for you in the meantime. If-you como before mo again you will, get no consideration at my hands." f vYhe Rainfall.; I . In connection with tho regent heavy rainfalls in Auckland, tho total record for tho first three months of the year is considerably loss than that for.tho corresponding period of last year, when a total of overil4in. was registered during January.' February, and March. The quantity that fell during the same r months of this year'was considerably less, being slightly over pin. This, however, is over the, average for.tholfirst three months of tho year, which, as slicnvn by the records of tho past' -10 years, is rsjthor under 9in. Rates Come in Well. j The city treasurer reports that the collection of rates for tho year ended March 31 constitutes a record, the Arrears outstanding being £339 16s. Gd;, oi £8 2s. less than last; year; although the amounted collectable was greater to the amount of £5030. MilK Supply. • J-.' ....... Tho City Council has decided to defer for three months tho consideration of tho 1 suggestions of tho District Health CJicer (Dr. Purdy) in regard to thd milk supply for infants. It is considered that as a Socioty has been formed foi' the purpose of furthering the object in view, itjis advisable to await the. result of the first three . months of tho Society's work boforo proceeding to deal with the question. . Working Men's Club. \ . The new premises of ,the Auckland Working Men's Club, in Cobfirg Street, have now been occupied.- Tho riew building, which |s in brick, commands a fine view, and is.up-to-date, in every respect. In the basement are a kitchen/ bathroom, lavatory, sleeping accommodation .for the steward, and cellar. On the first floor are the secretary's offico and committeo-room, card rooms, strangers' room, bar,[and a"large billiardroom with two tables. 'On tho top floor there is a largo and airy reading-room,.a library; a ladies' room (for social, occasions), and a fine sociar hall, with ajstage at one end. The. furnishing is in keeping, with .tlio remainder of the building, which is complete.in every way. pas and electricity aro laid on throughout tho building. The opening, ceremony will bo performed by tho Hon. J; M'Gowan, Minister for Justice, at an early, date. Publicans anil Inquests. 1 lho question of payment of.publicans for the uso of .their Hotels for inquests has como before .tha City,-Council, tho'City. Coroner (Mr. Gresham), having forwarded a letter from Mrs. Meehan'Oicenseo of Gleeson's Hotel). Ihe latter called attention to the fact that>. because the long-promised morgue had not been ercctcdi her hotel had for the last.seven years becn'iconstantly used for the purpose of holding inquests'! without any recompenso to herself for; wear-and-tea'r generally. She considered sho was. entitled to some pecuniary consideration at.tho hands of the Council. Mr. Greshaju pointed out that although tho hotel wassconstantly' requisjti.oncd for inquests, thoi licensee 'could rcceivo no. compensation. He thought tho Council might consider tho. matter'with'a view to making Mrs. Meehaii| : somo equitable allowance. The matter was referred ,to the Fmrtnce Committee. DUNEDIN.j . , r . . ' l April 11. .. llio new, dock at Port Chalmers is expe.ctcd to be finished in two months, from now, but tlio removal of tho coffer-dain and the dredging of the approaches to the dock will delay .the general use of the now structure'until perhaps the early spring. : It is understood that the Invercargili Shipping Company lias sold -. the steamer Rimu to a northern company.' I . Quality of Lymph. I There is now no causo for complaint as to the quality of the vaccine lmpyh supplied by tho Health Department, and throe recent returns show tho percentage of successful "takes as 100. Liquor and No-License, j Tho canteen at the/Easter manoeuvres will not supply alcoholic liquors. x Mr. ]). Gain, who has undertaken to conduct tho No-licenso campaign in the Port Chalmers electorate, Is. chief of - tho Good Templars in Duncdin./. Shipwreck Reliof. ; ! . The Shipwreck Relief Society of New Zealand has published its fifth.annual report, which states that a sum of £146 was disbursed to tho shipwrecked crews of various vossels, as, against £30 for the previous year. The amounts paid representing relief wero to tho crews of tho Diindonald, Elverland, Waiiti, KiaJOra, Gloiilui " and Woollahra'. The total receipts from all sources amounted to £451, inclusive of the Government subsidy of £200, in addition to which thero is a sum of £74 accrued interest on fixed deposits./- Tho total amount of fixed deposits now stands at £1889, and thero was to credit of cuy-ent account at December 31 £73.. Prodilco for the North. Tlifc "Duncdin Star" says:—"For somo time/past tlio enormous amount of produce goinfr to the North Island has more than taxed'the capacity of tho available shipping audi at tho present timo the matter is- approaching an acute stage. Wo understand that tlio same conditions exist at the Bluff Oainarii, and Timpu. There seems to bo no difficulty in getting orders, but it is almost impossible to fulfil them."