LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1423, 25 April 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

1Captain Amundsen had a few minutes' chat last evening with the Ttcv. J. Crewcs, president of the Wellington Zoological Society, and Mr. J. Castle, treasurer, when he again expressed his regret, that Hie qunrantino regulations at Jlobart had prevented the forwarding of the dog that lie had promised to present to the Wellington Zoo. Ho hoped, however, that means might bo found of sending it over here from Buenos Ayres, whither the, I'ram is now proceeding. Personally, it was his desire to do whatever he could to further the. matter. Mr. Crewes and Mr. Castlo voiced their appreciation of his kindness, and came away with revived hopes of securing for v the people of Wellington ono of the bravo dogs that went to the South Pol«.

The. nnmtal presentation 'of medals, prizes, and certificates in connection with the Trinity Collego of Music (London) will tako place, at the Sydney Street Schoolroom this evening. Mr. A. L. Herdman, M.P., will preside.

An amalgamation has been brought about between the majority of the picture show proprietors doing business in Australia. Tho firms interested in the arrangement r.re: West's, Johnson and Gibson, J. and N. Tait, Pathe Freres, and Spencers. The only big firms standing out of the combine are tho J. D. Williams Company and John Fuller and Sons, of Aew Zealand.

Members of the Boys' Institute cricket and swimming clubs and gymnasium and boxing classes were entertained at a social gathering, last evening by Mrs. G. Richards. About sixty boys attended. The institute orchestra contributed a number of musical selections, which were, much appreciated.

So far as the city is concerned, the' work ot providing an approach to the Hutt Pipe Bridge and completing the neighbouring road and bridge works which will link up the highway round the head of the harbour to the Loivry Bay Road, is within nieasureable distance of completion. Tho warrant for the construction of the approaches has been approved ly Hie Government, and plans have been completed of the road, which is to traverse the Hutt Park, and of the bridge which, is to bo thrown across the Waiwetu stream. Another portion of the route is provided for in an agreement with the Gracefield Estate Syndicate, under which it is to provide tho land for a road through the estate. VL'he construction of the Waiwetu bridge will probably be put in hand very sheftHy, and the road works extending either way from the stream will be gone on with sooli afterwards. The position of Petone borough in regard to these works is not so clear. Some time ago it arranged with the Stato Guaranteed Advances Office for a loan of .£7500 to cover its contribution towards the cost of the work. The loan was approved, but the approval has sinco lapsed under a rule which ' directs that this shall happen when no steps are taken, within six months, to proceed with the raising of a loan.

The conference of gaolers will hold its final sitting to-dav, when the Minister for Justice (the Hon. J. A. Hanan) #ill be present, and receive the report of the conference.

Councillor Fuller has given notice that he will move, at tho next meeting of the City Council: "(1) That a statement of accounts, annual reports of each executive officer, ancil other statistics be published annually in consolidated form with regard to the Wellington City Council's .affairs; (2) that the town clerk be instructed to remodel the annual handbook of the Wellington City Council,, giving more detailed comparisons."

Finns hayo just been approved by the District Chief Surveyor of an unemployed relief work, carried out in lflO'.t during Dr. Newman's .term as Mayor. This was Hie deviation and straightening of the Hnppy Valloy Road, from Brooklyn to the sea. When the work was projected it was arranged that the land for tlio new road should be obtained from the trustees of the Joseph Estate, in exchange for the land of tlio old road. The approval of the plans gives final effect to this exchange.

The Wellington branch of the New Zealand Accountants' Society is to meet in the Chamber of Commerce this evening. The annual meeting of the society is to be held in Auckland in August.

In a speech at Clevedon last night, the, Prims Slmister said the Government intended to appoint a Commission to see that the cost of living was not unduly rai=ed, and that the concessions granted by the Government were enjoyed by the people.