THE DRAINAGE WORKS. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 44, 20 August 1895, Page 3

THE DRAINAGE WORKS. TO THE EDITOR.

Sib — There seems to be a general desire to see the Drainage Soheme completed so far as the streets are concerned, so that they can be permanently repaii cd or relaid in a more satisfactory manner than at present. That desire I am afraid will scarcely be realised, as I find that one gang has lost six weeks (independent of the weither) in less than five months, and are off at prcieht. If the others lose anything like that time, the scheme can p.oaroely be Biid to be progress, ing rapidly, aa there are less than 70 men engaged in laying the pipes, &o. Now, as there is nearly half that number employed on the Btaff ai gangers, as yardmen, surveyors' men, Ao , who are practically paid wet and dry, I do not think it unreasonable that the labourers should bo kept going in fine weather at the least, to tfie ultimate benefit of the ratepayers generally. I am, 40., Obsebvcb.

There are now 88 persona in the Benevolent Home. Dr. MacGregor, Inspector of Hospitals and Charitable Institution?, wrote to the Trustees of the Benevolent Institution today asking for a statement of the amount drawn by eich member of the Board as expenses iv attending the meetings daring the pist year. It was decided to reply that none of the members hid claimed travelling expenses. Mr Brewer, chief officer of the Takapnna, who stayed ashore & few trips ago for the purpose of undergoing an operation to bis neck, has remained behind at Onhungi this week. It has been fonnd necessary to have another delicate and dangerous operation performed by two surgeon*. An offer wa9 made to to-day's meeting of the Benevolent Trustees by Mr. W. M. Hare, to sell an aore ofiland adjoining the Home for JM7S. The Chairman said that additional land was urgently required, and he was anxious that Mr. Hare's offer, whioh was a very reasonable one, should be aocepted. Mr. G. H. Baylis said there was no doubt ihe value of tho lund would increase ere long. Mr. F. Bradey said that if the Trustees secured the land and were obliged to sell it there was no donbt tbey would be able to make a profit. On the motion of the Chairman, Bcconded by Mr. Bradey, it was decided to accept tho offer. - Detective Gantley arrested a man named Patrick Joyce to-day for having stolen a coat, the property of John M'Grath, from the Railway Hotel. Joyce wai brought up before Mr. Martin, S.M., this afternoon, and on pleading Guilty wa3 remanded for a week, with a view to his being placed on probation. It was stated at the Benevolent Trustees' meeting this afternoon that the husband of a woman who is receiving relief had on three occasions returned home and smashed every article in tho house, the whole of the furniture and effects being rendered absolutely useless. The postponed general meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society is to be held to-morrow* evening. Papers will be read by Mr. O. V. Hudson on an " Unngual Absence of Certain Plume Moths During 189405," and by Sir Walter Duller on "Notes on Ornithology of New Zealand." Laery and Co. (Limited) will sell to-morrow, fruit. for continuation o] maavng matter teejourth