25 YEARS AGO

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 16, 13 October 1932, Page 8

25 YEARS AGO

“Sticking Up” a Tramcar (From "The Dominion,” Oct. 14, 1007.) Mr. J. S. Dickson, chairman of the Remuera Road Board, who recently achieved fame by “sticking-up” an Auckland tramcar and compelling it to take a trip to his suburb in pursuance of the time-table conditions, is in Wellington. Mr. Dickson expressed himself to a “Dominion” representative in favour of the Tramways Bill now before the House. "It's aim,” be said, “is to give the Government a control over all the tram services of the Dominion, something after the manner of the control exercised by the Board of Trade in England, only more far-reaching.” ♦ « • The retail business portion of the city Is extending in many directions. It is not so many years ago that Courtenay Place, Vivian Street, and Upper XYiHis Street were residential thoroughfares almost exclusively, but the rapid growth' of the city has meant a larger area for the conduct of retail business. Courtenay Place is almost wholly given over to shops and factories; Vivian Street has long since become a retail “artery” of considerable importance, and during the past year or two shops have appeared in Upper Willis Street—the Harley Street of Wellington—and it is only a matter ot a few years when retail trade will be pushing the doctors and dentists of thereabouts into other streets. The latest city thoroughfare to be encroached upon by the retailers is Customhouse Quay.

A fire broke out in the very heart of the city yesterday evening, and in premises where a large amount of inflammable material was stored. There were all the elements of another devastating conflagration. But thanks to the timely discovery of the outbreak in its incipient stage, and the prompt and effective work of the fire brigade, under Superintendent Hugo, the flames were quenched by the time that only comparatively trifling-damage was done. The fire was in premises at No. 5a Willis Street, the establishment of the City Printing Company—Messrs. Wright and Grenside —situated up a right-of-way adjoining Carroll’s Tearooms.

While walking along the ridge of the hill at the back of the Tlnakori Road yesterday a resident of this city was considerably startled by the whizzing past his head, as he alleges, of two bullets, immediately following upon the sound of two rifle shots from the direction of the town.