CITY AND SUBURBAN

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 184, 2 May 1933, Page 11

CITY AND SUBURBAN

Happenings About the Town

INCIDENTS, OBSERVATIONS

In tbe Supreme Court yesterday the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, granted discharges to tbe undermentioned bankrupts: J. G. Buchanan, W. 8. Reid, Cecil Heighten, Thomas Moran, and William Henry Prior.

With injuries to bis head, received on being knocked down by a motor-car at 2.40 p.m. yesterday, Mr. John Ferguson, a railway guard at Lambton Station, was taken to the hospital by the Free Ambulance.

Tbe lights on Hie Town Hall clock were missed by hundreds of people last evening, who frequently take tlie time as a reliable guide in adjusting their watches. The reason for the absence of the lights is not knwn, but it is possible that the weather may have been responsible.

A suggestion that the services of unemployed men might be utilised in forming a road to serve as an alternative outlet from Wellington was made by Mr. G. D. Hamilton at last evening’s meeting of the Wellington Automobile Club. The chairman, .Mr. E. A. Batt, pointed out that the idea had emanated from his executive twelve months ago.

A special order was confirmed by the City Council yesterday afternoon accepting the surrender of the deed of lease of Lot 118, Lambton reclamation (Lambton Quay), a property at present leased to the Sloane-Mexted Company. In answer to an inquiry by Councillor J. McEldowney, the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, stated that the lease was being terminated and that the property was being carried on under a tenancy.

Two fishermen got into difficulties near Island Bay about 7 o’clock yesterday morning, when tbe engine of theic launch broke down. The vessel was "about half a mile from the shore, and tbe men managed to attract the attention of some people there, and a launch went out and towed them to safety. Had a southerly wind been blowing the fishermen might have found themselves in a more serious plight.

Two years ago yesterday the s.s. Progress was wrecked in Ohiro Bay on a passage from Lyttelton to Wellington. The vessel broke her tailshaft, and anchored off Red Rocks, as the weather was fine. A southerly sprang up during tbe night, and the ship was driven on to the rocks, striking at noon on May 1, 1931. The steamer quickly broke up,.and four of the crew were drowned, a fifth dying in hospital as the result of injuries.

“Face the traffic” is the slogan for the pedestrian who is a frequent user of country roads at night, says the Wellington Automobile Club. More often than not they walk on the left side with their backs to oncoming traffic. If they would walk on the right-hand side of tbe road they would be safer from accident, as the lights from the car on their faces would enable the oncoming motorist to see them, and at; the same time enable tbe pedestrian to step off the road into safety.

The proposal to construct a stock route between Johnsonville and the abattoirs was referred to at last evening’s meeting of the Wellington Automobile Club, a report by the works committee stating that it was unfortunate that the construction of a track should be further delayed. It was held that, at least during the winter months, the bitumen in the gorge was practically always wet and slippery when cattle were being driven over it, and ihe damage and injury to the beasts aloue warranted action without taking into consideration tbe danger to road traffic.

Steady progress is being made with the piercing of the tunnel through the Wainui hill, which is going to bring the extensive Wainui valley within a few minutes of the Hutt Valley, instead of a rather difi.cult half-hour’s journey over a hazardous mountain road. The nature of the ground that: is being encountered is largely soft and very wet, with an occasional patch of hard blue rock. Timbering is refill ired throughout. It is anticipated H ut the tunnel, working two shifts a day from one end only as at present, will be half-way through at. the end of the year. The pace could be accelerated at any time by working three shifts on both sides of the hill.

Few Wellington sportsmen who went: into the country for yesterday’s opening of the shooting season had returned last evening. The recent rain should have assured a successful opening day for sportsmen iu the duckshooting districts, particularly around Lake Wabrarapa and the other smaller swamps and lagoons in both the Wairarapa and Manawatu. No advice had been received last evening by tlie secretary of tbe Wellington Acclimatisation Society. Mr. E. J. C. Williu, as to “bags” obtained, but on the return of the society's rangers from the shooting areas to-day information should be available as to Hie results of tlie opening day's shooting.