THE STATE OF THE STREETS,

Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 59, 12 March 1888, Page 2

THE STATE OF THE STREETS,

It is satisfactory to notice that the City Conncil has at last been brought fairly to book in regard to the condition of the main thoroughfares of the city. Tho report of the City Surveyor, laid before the Council at its last meeting, raises the question in a most distinct manner, and certainly not before it was time to raise it. For the last two years Lambton-quay, Willisstreet, and Manners-street have been in a most deplorable condition, and steadily growing worse. Such repairs as have from time to time been effected have been of a most unsubstantial character, consisting ohiefly of the filling up of a few of the worst holes with a clayey gravel, which quickly changed to dust in dry weather and to mud in wet weather. The crust of metal on the streets in question is now a mere film, and, as Mr. Loughrey points out, there is no foundation to support it. Anything beyond on ordinary light strain breaks through it, and then there is nothing but the soil of the reclamation beneath. Not long ago we saw a cart-wheel go through the orust and sink to the axle in the clay beneath, almost opposite the Evening Post office, Willisstreet. What the condition of the main thoroughfares will become during the coming winter, unless something substantial is done to them, we tremble to think. They will probably become nearly as bad as those unfortunate streets on the reclaimed land, whioh neither the Corporation nor the Government bold themselves responsible for. Mr. Loughrey'a report is a very plain and practical one, the only fault we have to find being that it might well bavo been made at a much earlier period. The time is now short to effect any extensive improvements before the winter sets in. We hope the Council will not waste any of this time in useless delay. The work is really of urgent necessity. It cannot be too soon commenced, or too thoroughly done when it is commenced. Thero will bo no real economy in attempting to patch the streets up any longer. They have gone beyond that, as Mr. Loughrey points out ; substantial foundations are required, and then a proper roadway on top. The work will no doubt be expensive, but it is one for which money must be found. The suggestion that Willisstreet shonld bo paved with wooden blocks appears to us an admirable one. The valuo of such a roadway is well proved by the samples recently laid down by Mr. Fergusson, the Harbour Board's Engineer, on the Queon's Wharf. It would be impossible to conceive anything better or apparently more dnrable. Tho City Council will incur a very heavy responsibility if it delays taking aotion on the facts its Surveyor has placed before it. On our fourth page to-day will be found a most interesting sketch of the new Crown Prince and Regent of Germany, taken from the London Times of a recent date. Telegraphio communication with the West Coast of the Middle Island has been suspended all day, owing to the wires being carried away by the recent floods there. The polling on the very important questions submitted to the decision of the subscribers of the Wellington Athenaeum closes this evening at 10 o'clock. We understand that only about one-third of the subscribers have voted as yet, and the committee are very anxions to have as complete an expression of opinion as possible. Subscribers w)io jkavo nflt yet voted will therefore do well to remember that they must do so this evening.

The full acconntq of the Kmperor'a (loath now to hand, provu that onr supposition as to the proper '¦equcni'o of the events recorded in the vory confused telegrams of the Press Association was correct. One messagp which the Association sent out on Saturday afternoon represented the Emperor aa sleeping easily at 1 o'clook in the afternoon of Friday. This appeared irreconcilable with the other information to band on the snbjent, and aa on making enquiry, we found that the original wording was "to-day," and not "this afternoon," we arrived at the conclnsion that 1 a.m., not 1 p.m., wad meant, and according used the word " to-day," placing the message as part of the bulletin purporting to be dated Berlin, 9 a.m. on Friday. This interpretation has proved correct, as the official announcement now is that the Emperor died four and a-half hours prior to the time at which he was represented by the Association as sleeping easily. The following are the returns of the late examination of Sixth Standard scholars of the city and suburban schools by Mr. Lee, School Inspector:— Thorndon, 23 scholars presented, 21 passed ; Terrace, 20 presented, 19 passed; Mount Cook Boys', 17 presented, 6 passed ; Mount Cook Girls', 21 presented, 11 passed ; Te Aro, 26 presented, 19 passed ; Newtown, 17 presented, 14 passed ; Karori, 5 presented, 5 passed ; Pahautanui, 5 presented, 5 passed ; Judgeford, 1 presented, 1 passed ; Johnsonville, 5 presented, 5 passed ; Tawa Flat, 2 presented, 2 paused ; Kaiwarra, 1 presented, 1 passed ; Porirua, 1 presented, 1 passed; Hutt, 5 presented, 4 passed; Taita, 3 presented, none passed ; Petone, 0 presented, 6 passed; Upper Hutt, 2 presented, 1 passed. Two scholars from the Mount Cook Girls' School were presented for the Seventh Standard, both of whom passed. The Children of the Fatherland resident in Wollington met in large numbers at the Club Hotel on Saturday evening to decide as to the steps to be taken to expreim their grief for the death of the Empero- William. Mr. A. F. Castendyk, German Consul, was voted to the chair, and, after explaining the purpose of the meeting, sketched the history of the deceased Kaiser, enlarging upon the example ho had set aa a sovereign and as a man. Universal love and reverence on the part of all Germans had, he said, supported the Emperor throughout his reign, and thus he had been blessed, and had, moreover, enjoyed the strength to labour for his country until the last days of a long life of 91 years. Mr. Castendyk expressed thankfulness that the Crown Prince Frederick William had snrvived to bear Imperial honours, and said that all Germans, whether at home or abroad, would mourn over the death of their Emperor. All present rose to their feet at the conclusion of the Chairman's remarks, and remained silent for several minutes as a token of respect. It was unanimously agreed to send a cable message to tho Emperor Frederiok 111., and also to hold a special religious service next Sunday in accordance with the rites and formalities appointed to be observed on the death of a German sovereign. It is anticipated (says the Wanganui Herald) that the presentation to the Hon. Mr. firyce will bo made about the middle of the session. The sum collected is said to be almost double that expected, and has been drawn from all parts of the colony. The postponed pnblio meeting of persons in favour of Home Rule for Ireland will be held at the Opera House on Thursday evening noit. A seaman employed on the steamer Kanieri, named George Graves, met with a serious accident on Saturday last. It appears that he had been working among the cargo in the hold, and having completed his work was ascending the hatchway, when his foot slipped, and he fell back into the hold, fracturing his thigh by the fall. He was conveyed to the Hospital, where the fraotnre was attended to. On enquiry to-day we learn that the sufferer is progressing as well as could be expected under the ciroumetanees. A fire broke out at Mr. H. Gray's residence, Greytown, on Saturday morning, in ono of the upstairs bedrooms, but by the prompt exortions of Mr. Gray, it was soon extinguished. Damage to the amount of about .£l2 was effected. At to-night's meeting of the Petone Town Board, Commissioner Curtis' motion to form the town district into a municipality will be considered ; and the opinion of Mr. H. D. Bell as to the alleged illegality of the recent poll on the waterworks loan will also be laid before members. Last evening Pastor George -Miiller delivered an address at the Opera Honse to a large congregation. The Rev. W. H. West opened the meeting, and a united choir rendered several of Sankoy's hymns during the evening. Pastor Miiller will preach at the Hutt Wosleyan Church to-morrow evening, and on Wednesday he will deliver an address at the Congregational Schoolroom, Bowen-street. The Wellington Bowling Club recoive a visit from a team of Wanganui bowlers on the 31st mat. The visiting team, whioh will comprise three rinks, will be chosen from the following players: — Messrs. Bennie, Bush, Tawse, Purnell, Spurdle, Armstrong, Griffiths, Cardoza, Young, Paterson, Chevannes, Alexander, Ross, Bain and Laird. The visitors will probably arrive in Wellington by train on the 30th, and will praotice on Satnrday morning, the match being played at 2 p.m. The Wellington team is as follows:— The Hon. T. Forgus, Messrs. Scoullar and M'Gregor (skips), supported by Messrs. Crombie, J. C. M'Kerrow, M'Glashan, G. P. Wilson, Flyger, Campbell, Maskell, Gale, and Lambert. The match will probably consist of 31 heads. The Wellington team are requosted to give their attention to practice, and the green will be available for this purpose during the week. The holding capacity of Wesley Church was tested yesterday by the crowds that flocked, especially in the ovening, to hear the Rev. E. Armstrong Telfer. The services were a rare treat to those who had the opportunity of attending, and if all preachers could enchain their congregations as Mr. Telfor does, there would not be so much grumbling about long serraonß. Tho colleotions yesterday amounted to .£25 12s. Mr. Telfer lectures to-night on " The Boys m Derry." Both the lecturer and the subject should draw a large audience. The reviews of the lecturo by the Southern press have been very favourable. As Mr. Telfer's time is limited, we understand that all tho lectures will take place, no matter what is the state of the weather. It is probable that Mr. Telfor will lecture on Thursday evening on " The Scottish Covenanters." There was a capital attendance on tho bowling green on Saturday afternoon, when fonr rinks were occupied, and the last of the second set of pairs was finished. Appended are the scores : — Rink No. I—Messrs.1 — Messrs. Kempthorne, Eliott, Campbell, and Scoullar (skip) against Mr. G. S. Cooper, Capts. Hume and Edwin and Hon. Mr. Fergus : tho latter team winning by 21 to 14. Rink No. 2— Messrs. Gardner, Young, Didsbury, and M'Glashan (skip) played Messrs. Exley, Stewart, Kussell, and Reid (skip) ; Mr. M'Glashan winning by 21 to 13. Rink No. 3— Messrs. Sloan, Barraud, Gray, and J. C. M'Kerrow played Sample, Leatham, Crombie, and Gale (skip) ; Mr. Gale winning by 21 to 4. Rink No. 4— Messrs. Duthie, Dransfield, Ballinger, and Flyger (skip) played Messrs. G. P. Wilson, Gasquoine, Haybittle, and Barron (skip) ; the former winning by 21 to 20. On Saturday next a match, Civil Service against other members of tho Wellington Bowling Club, will bo played, the teams being as follow :— Civil Service— Messrs. M'Gregor, Crombio, Blaokett, G. P. Wilson, Fergus, Eliott, Cooper, Edwin, Blair, Barron, Hume, and Gray. Club— Messrs. Scoullar, M'Glashan, Barraud, Leatham, J. C. M'Kerrow, Flyger, Campbell, Sample, K. Wilson, Gale, Kerr, and Lambert. The third sot of pairs for the bowls presented by Mr. Duthie were chosen on Saturday, and the matohe3 will be played on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The following are the pairs for each day :— Ballinger and Reid, Hill and Campbell, Crombie and Bethuno, Gale and Kempthorne, on Tuesday, 13th ; Flyger and Crease, Cook and Lindsay, Sample and Young, M'Kerrow and Barraud, Thursday, 15th; G. P. Wilson and M'Glashan, Haybittle and Barron, Saturday, 17th. The re-opening of the Columbia Elite Roller Skating Rink, an event to which skating enthusiasts have been looking forward for some time past, will take placo this evening. An especially attractive programme has been prepared, Professor H. A. Simmons, the American champion stilt skater, having been engaged to open the eyes of the Wellington rinkists to the intricacies of fancy movements. His feats will include jumps over four and six ohairs respectively, the "giant's swing," and other difficult performances. To-night's proceedings will be carried out under the supervision of Mr. V. A. Harris, who established the local rink, and whose personal popularity has been one of the features of its success. The annual report of the Hutt Park Railway Company for the year ending 31st December has been issued. The directors oongratulato the shareholders on the very satisfactory condition of the company's affairs. During the year, JJ3OO has been paid to the Equitable Building and Investment Company in reduction of the loan, which now stands at 452800. The profit and loss account? show a credit balance of .£26 Us lOd, after having written off .£222 15s 5d for depreciation of the railway. In accordance with the articles of association one director retires by lot, and it is for the shareholders to elect someone to fill the vacancy. The next month will see the system of Columbia Rinks fairly planted in all the chief towns of New Zealand. Mr. V. A Harris, the manager of the rinks in this colony, will, after the re-opening of the Ingestre-street establishment, which takes place to-night, proceed to Napier, where a rink will be opened in the Gaiety Theatro next Thursday week. On the 3rd of April a rink will be opened at Christchurch in the Tuam- street Hall ; on the 4th, the Oamaru Theatre will be utilised for the same purpose ; another rink will be opened in Timaru on the sth; yet another in the Dunedin Lyceum on the 6th ; and the last rink of tho series will be established about a week later in the Invercargill Garrison HalL The block of new shops which is to be bnilt for Messrs A. and C. Colqunoun on the Bite in Cuba-street at present occupied by Dr. Cole's residence, will be erected by Mr. C. Colqnhoun, of Conrto-nay-place. We are requested to mention that Miss M'Loughlan, late of Messrs. Herbert Haines and Co., Dunedin, and formerly of Messrs. Mowbray, Bo wan, and Hioks, Melbourne, the newly-appointed bead dressmaker to Mrs. Walker, of Lambton-quay, has arrived in Wellington, and will take charge immediately. The srimming races in connection with the Te Aro Sohool are postponed until tomorrow in consequence of the boisterous weather at present prevailing. A concert to raise funds for the proposed Petone and Hntt Athletic Club is on the tapis in the first-named township. A probable feature of the entertainment will be an exhibition of weight-lifting and Indian club exercises by Mr. J. Doyle, who is generally regarded as the premier exponent nthe colony of this department of athletiw

Advices have been received in Wellington ;hat the s.s. Coptio sailed from Hobart at 1 >'clook on Saturday afternoon, for Auckland. The steamer Tarawera, from Melbourne md Hobart, with an English mail, arrived it the Bluff at 12.30 this afternoon. The Wellington portion of her mails should arrive lere by the Hawea on Wednesday next. Mr. H. S. Wardell, R.M., is at present ndisposed, having been suddenly seized with an attack of congestion of the vocal :hords. The business of the R.M. Court »ill be conducted by Justices until his Worship is sufficiently recovered to resume ihe duties. The Justice list to-morrow :ontaina the names of Messrs. J. S. M. Ihompson, C. J. Toxward, and D. Sladden. The damaged section of the Pukaki's ihaft was to-day forwarded to Dunedin by the Waihora, to be repaired. At the Magistrate's Court this morning, before Messrs. R. M. Simpson and J. Lachtnan, Juatices, two first off enders were found Suilty of drnnkennesa, and, in addition to tho nsual fine and alternative, were ordered to pay 2s cab hire each. Thomas Wood was also convicted of drunkenness, and ordered to pay a fine of 10a or go to gaol for 18 honrs. Herbert Williams, a cabman, for baying refused to produce his license for inspection wben requoßted to do so by a oonsta-ble, was fined 5s and costs, and the same defendant was also fined Is and costs for having refnsed to remove his cab to another part of the Queen's Wharf when requested. Henry Kennerley, for a similar offence, was fined 5s and costs. Joseph Marks, for having driven a horae and cart round the corner of Customhouae-quay at a pace faster than a walk, was fined 5s and costs. H- W. King admitted having allowed his hand-cart to stand in Manners-street to the obstruction of traffic, and waa fined Is and co3t?. Lawrence Ledwidge, a cabman, was charged with a breach of the New Zealand Railways By-laws, by soliciting hire at the Wellington Kailway Station without a license. The Bench imposed a fine of sb, withont costs. At a meeting of the Porirua Licensing Bench, held to-day, Mr. Exley was elected chairman. Gray's Private Band have decided to give a performance in the Basin Reserve on Sunday afternoon next, in aid of the fund being raised for the children's ward at the Hospital. An excellent programme has been arranged for the occasion, and as the object is such a deserving one, we have no doubt a large assemblage will greet them. The full programme will be published in Friday's issue. Mr. A. D. MacCormick, tho well-known Anckland cricketer, is now a resident in this city, having been transferred to the Wellington branch of the Colonial Bank. Before he left Auckland he was the recipient of a handsome bat, with a cane and india-rubber handle, and an elegant silver shield bearing the following inscription : — " Mr. A. D. MacCormiok, from the Auckland United C.C. .March 3rd, 1888." The reoipient briefly returned thanks, and said he was quite as sorry to leave the members of the club as they were at losing him. The Taranaki Iron Company have, says the Herald, sold the buildings and plant at the Henui, known as thelronsand Works, to Mr. T. Oldfield for .£5lO. This money, with .£56 on hand, will enable the company to pay 3s per share, and wind up. The sale is not an actual cash one, so much being paid down, and Mr. Oldfield reserving to himself the right to pay the rest within twelve months. When Mr. Oldfield is going to make a trial at the works ib not known, but he intends to make come alterations at once. Another entertainment was given in the Opera House on Saturday evening by the Greenwood Family. The attendance was not large, but the entertainment was muoh appreciated by those who were present. The programme consisted of soveral vocal and instrumental items, and the comedyburlesque produced on the previous night. To-morrow, at 2 o'clock, Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co. hold a sale of oil and water colour paintings of New Zealand scenery; also, new and second-hand furniture.