LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1072, 10 March 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

I The postal authorities advise that the s.s. .Malieno, which .-ailed from Sydney at noon on March 8, for Auckland, has on bsai-il an Australian mail; also the English mail via Suez. Tile Wellington portion is due to arrive here by Main Trunk express on Monday, March 13. Tho city reserves are to be closed for summer sports alter March 25. On Ihe recommendation of the Reserves Committee, the City Council has decided to lake no further action in regard to the rimiilaint made by the caretaker of the Basin Reserve against li roundsman Saunders in respect to alleged Sunday working. By powers conferred under the Fisheries Act of 1008 it is now declared lawful (in a tiazatlp notice) to sell trout "taken, smoked, or branded by or under the direction" of the Tourist Department. This declaration overrides the regulations of acclimatisation societies. It is stated in Wellington that a small outbreak of diphtheria has occurred at Rotorua, and that patients are being isolated. A notice has been gazetted vesting the control of the I'eilding Domain iu the FcHding Borough Council. The Kilbirnie Ratepayers' Association has informed th<- City Council that while quite, in favour of getting as direct an approach as possiblo by means of a traffic tunnel to suit the requirements of Kilbirnie. Hataitai, Seatoun, Miramar, and Lyall Bay, they arc not in accord with tho Hataitai Association in approaching the council and practically directing the whereabouts of such tunnel. ' The City Council last night authorised the preparation of an agreement for approval by the Government, whereby tho council may utilise a portion of tho Crown land at Lyall Bay for tho erection of car sheds and other purposes, and the remaining Crown land and corporation reserve for recreation purposes. It is considered that this will involve the introduction o' a special Bill next session to vest the 12 acres in the council. The City Council's Health Committee hopes to be able soon to select a site for a milk depot, and take the other stops necessary to bring tho milk supply scheme into operation. An application from a person desirous of installing a private bathing box at Lyall Bay met with short shrift at the hands of the City Council last evening. It decided to reply that no such privilege could be granted, but the city engineer will deal with the provision of cubicles for men and for women in a report to be made shortly unon projected improvements at Lyall Bay. Councillor Barber asked the Mayor last evening what additional annual cost had to be borne by the City Council, by reason cf its running tramenrs around, instead of through, the Basin Reserve. The Tramways Engineer was absent from tho council meeting when the question was put, and the Mayor promptly replied: "I cannot answer that." Councillor Barber said he would repeat the question at the next meeting. During tho last fortnight 35 applications for building permits in tho city were made, and 27 permits were issued. The estimated value of tho works wns .£10,665. Tho Mayor informed the council last night that Messrs. Beil, Gully, Bell, and Myers iiad written on behalf of the Vacuum Oil Company, stating that certain damage had been dono to their stores. The I'lnancc Committee had considered the matter, and decided not to admit any liability, and had replied accordingly. The City Council decided last night to take the necessary steps to acquire certain land at Willis Street for street widening purposes, under tho Public Works Act. The City Council will ask the Government to limit the time in which tramway appeals should be lodged to ten days from tho date of the decision giving rise to the anneal. The regulations as they at nroseut stand do not provide for a time limit." - ■~;, The Public Health Committee of the City Council recommended last night:— That the condemnation notice issued by the Department of Public Health with respect to premises, Lambton Quay, lately occupied by Messrs. Warnock and Adkin. be given effect to." Councillor Shirtcliffa said the Public Health Officer had forwarded an emphatic condemnation of the building, and the committee was unanimous. The building was not only unfit for occupation for trade, purposes, but was a menace to the health of (he occupants and a danger to adjoining properties by way of fire. 'The recommendation was endorsed unanimously. Congratulations to the Tramways Band on its success at the contest arc. tho themo of a letter from Mr. T. Childs, of Palmerslon North, to the City Council. "Thci,- performance was very fine indeed," says Mr. Childs. "Apart from this, I wish to express my entire satisfaction about the way tho men behaved while staying in my house. Their conduct, without exception, was very gocd. Both Mrs. Childs and myself wore very pleased, and we wish the band every success in future contests." The council decided to forward the letter to the band and congratulated it on its success at the .untest.' Councillor M'Larcn asked the Mayor last evening to obtain a report as to City Council supplies which were procured, from places outside Wellington and outside the Dominion, but could easily be manufactured locally. Among supplies of this character tho councillor instanced \vater : fittings. As a further small illustration of tho point be had raised. Councillor M'Larcn mentioned that ho held in his hand a corporation bath ticket. It had been printed in Melbourne. Tho Mayor explained that the ticket had been obtained through a local agent, who, on his own account, had got the tickets from Melbourne. The report desired by Councillor M'Laren is to be furnished. The tender which tho Government accepted last week for uniforms for statkmmasters was that of Ding, Harris, and Co., Ltd., Dunedin. The tender of Mr. A. Levy, Customhouse Quay, Wellington, was accepted for guards' and porters' uniforms. A first-class stationmaster's suit is tendered for at £3 6s. (ordinary material), and a guard's or porter's at .£2 4s. 3d. Messrs. Ross and Gleudining, Dunedin, secured tho tender for caps for railway men. Periodical flooding and consequent interruption of tramway traffic at tho corner of Daniel'and Constable Streets inspired a question by Councillor Barber at the meeting of tho City Council last evening. The councillor wanted to know if tfie city engineer could suggest any remedy for a state of affairs that amounted to a serious nuisance not only in times of exceptionally heavy rain such as occurred on Saturday week last, but on other occasions when the downpour was much less copious. Mr. Morton, in replying, said it was quit© true that frequent flooding occurred at the spot indicated. A sum had appeared on the estimates in previous years to be expended in remedying the trouble, but delay had unavoidably occurred. The flooding was due to the fact that storm-water drains and sewers had been combined in the locality. A plan was being prepared and a sum would be placed on next year's estimates, for the consideration of the council, with a viewto effecting the necessary alteration. On the motion of Mr. J. W. Maodonald, solicitor to the Public Trust Office, the Supreme Court has granted to tho Public Trustee probate of the wills of the following deceased persons:—Thomas Watchman, lale of Taylorville, miner; William Win, late of Nelson, farmer; Jo'epli Sfflon Triekcr Cor Joseph Soldon Tricker), lato of Wellington, butcher•lohn Mart, late of Auckland, farm"/ Margaret Stewart Stinnear. late of Christehurcli, married woman; Vincent Devilaequa, late of Greymnuth, retired hotelkeeper; .lames Walker Roger, ]~(,■, „f Owaka. farmer. Orders to administer were also granted in respect cf (lie estates of the following deceased persons:—Marv Ann Goode, late of T.inwood, married woman; John Bolger, late of Ranginra, retired farmer; William Harradine'llolden, lale of Wanganui, grocer's assistantAnnie O'lirian, Into of Palmerslon Nnrthj widow; Martha Dunlnp M'h'eirow. late of Wellington, married woman; Grcnrv I Elliott, late of Cheviot, farmer. °' ' Wednesday, March 22, has been fixed n« tho day on which shall be held an election of one member for tho Dannevirke, Masterton, and l'etone Fire Boards, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Mi. C. Pearce, I