NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1927, Page 8

NEWS OF THE DAY

War Memorial and Carillon,

Matters in connection with the proposed combined War Memorial Museum, Art Gallery, and Carillon at Mount Cook will be discussed with the Prime Minister when ho , returns to the Dominion shortly. A little while ago, following upon a report by Mr. Hurst Seager, it was suggested that the Wellington Citizens' War Memorial Committee should throw in its lot with the major scheme with a view of erecting a combined memorial in the form of a National Museum and Art Gallery, and Carillon, at Mount Cook. It now appears, however, notwithstanding Mr. Hurst Seager 'a adversereport, that the War Memorial Committee desires to adhere to the original site in front of Parliament Buildings. As this committee wishes to discuss tho matter with Mr. Coates, the Aot-ing-Prime Minister (tho Hon. Downio Stewart) has suggested to the General Committee, which is anxious to have tho combined projects ..expedited, that further discussion should bo deferred pending the return of Mr. Coates. In this suggestion the General Committee has concurred. In the meantime, specifications for the Carillon bells have tieeiw forwarded to the High Commissioner.

Lights for Haughton Valley. For a long time the residents of the Haughton Valley district have been endeavouring to have tho street lighting service extended to their area, and may now congratulate themselves on the success, of their representations, for the City Council last evening agreed to the long sought extension of the lighting mains. Still Popular. ■ The popularity of City Council debentures was referred to by the Mayor (Mr. C. B. Norwood) at last night's meeting of the council. Since 24th Jan- , vary, said the Mayor, £18,900 had been paid over the counter in the purchase of debentures. Fourpenny Bus Fares. The following recommendation of the Tramways Committee in regard to bus fares was last evening adopted by the City Council without comment: "That a twelve-trip concession ticket be made available for passengers desiring to travel by the corporation's motor omnibuses between Lanibton Station and Lyall Bay and Lambton Station and Island Bay and vice versa, at a cost of 45." It was also decided that the section between Courtenay place and Lambton Station traversed by buses should be'exempt from the enforcement of the minimum 3d fare, as that route is not identical with that taken by I tramcars. Unusual Fish. Caught. A fish resembling the bonita was caught on Wednesday by Mr. Frederick E. Burnham, of San Francisco, while trolling from the launch Marlin off Piercy Island, near Cape Brett (states the "New Zealand Herald"). Mr. L. T. Griffin, assistant curator of the Auckland Museum, an authority on New Zealand fishes, who is staying at the Zane Grey Sporting Club for the purpose of taking notes on the fishes in the northern waters, identified it as the thunnus gcrmo, or albacore. This species, Mr. Griffin states, is probably common in New Zealand waters, but is seldom captured. This was the first occasion to his knowledge of the fish having been taken in New Zealand waters and its capture recorded, although its near relative, the bonita, had _ frequently been captured. This specimen, which is 25in long, is being forwarded to the curator of the Auckland Museum for preservation. A mature albacore usually attains a length of 4ft. . b New School Site. The City Council decided last evening, upon the recommendation of the Works Committee, that a portion of the ■ unformed road reservation near the corI ncr of Makara and South Karori roads, not required for road purposes, should be sold to the Education Board as a [ school site. Garden Road at Long Last. Ever so long ago, which is really a long time for a roadway to be left in a dangerous state, a heavy slip came down in Garden road, Northland, and almost as long ago, meaning rather over twelve months, the City Council decided that the roadway must be put right. Plans were drawn and a start was made some months ago, but it was then found that the land below the slip would not carry the retaining wall as I planned. New plans have now been i drawn, and the council decided last evening that the work should be pro- ! cceded with, at an estimated cost of £414 and that £100 compensation should be paid to the owner of one property affected. That no vehicle has gone rolling down from the narrowed roadway above the face of the slip speaks much for the carefulness of | Wellington drivers and for the efficacy of an iron and rope barrier. j Lake Coleridge Scheme. Reporting on the position at Lake Coleridge, Mr. P. E. Climie, organiser and secretary of the Canterbury Progress League, stated at the meeting of tho executive of that body on Wednesday that he had made inquiries into a rumour that serious trouble had been experienced in the new tunnel (reports the "Lyttelton Times"). He found that owing to insufficient .tightness or lack of consolidation of the packing" above the concrete lining in the tunnel some cracks had appeared of a size ao small that a blade of a pen-knife could not be inserted m them. Tho Public Works Department had, nevertheless, decided to fix the defect, but the tunnel was now an service again. There was no danger of the lake level not being sufflaent to meet all requirements in ordinary times, and at present half of ti e &%? from the Har Per waa turned oft The surveys for the site of the next power station had not yet b.een completed, and it was impossible to state just now when they would The chairman (Mr. J. E. Strachan): "That will do a lot of good towards allaying any fears there might have been." Evening Sports Meetings. In future the Wellington Amateur Athletic Association is to be granted the use of tho Basin Eeserve for evening meetings at a charge of 20 per cent, of the gate takings and 50 per cent, of the stand takings, on account of its contribution towards the cost of tho lighting installation. Other bodies are to be charged 30 per cent, of the gate takings and 50 per cent, of the stand takings, and the minimum charge for the use of tho ground at night is,to bo £10. The Basin Eeserve is to be lighted one night per week for training purposes, if required, at a charge of £10 per night, but only clubs holding permits from their governing bodies are to be allowed this privilege. What's in a Name? The question of renaming Kent and Cambridgo terraces was briefly mentioned at last night's meeting of the City Council. Councillor M. F. Luckic stated that it had been deemed advisable to defer consideration of the subject. As a matter of fact, the names Kent and Cambridge wore closoly associated with tho Duke of York. The Mayor (Mr. C. B. Norwood) said that before very long tho council would have to take into consideration the renaming of the street. He knew that the j public woro exercising themselves over I the matter. No Notifiable Influsnza, With the exception of a slight outbreak of scarlet fever in Hataitai a fow days prior to tho schools closing stated tho chairman of tho Health Committee, Councillor G. A. Troup, at the City Council's meeting last evoning, the position so far as infectious diseases' wpro concerned had been normal. There was at .present no indication of notifiable influenza in tho city. Swedish Botanlßt's Tour.

Hitherto the lichens of New Zealand have not received great attention from botanists. Dr. G. Einar dv Kietz, assistant professor of botany in the Univorsity of Upsala, however, has come specially to Now Zealand to. study them. Ho-, is at present conducting his studies in tho South Island Having explored the Arthur's Pass and Lake Wakatipu districts, Dr. dv Eiotz (who is accompanied by his wife, also a botanist) will encamp on tho wost sido of Lake Manapouri. There ■ they will be joined by Mr. W. R. B. Oliver, botanist of the Dominion Museum staff. The party intends climbing the mountains in the locality, and then visiting Doubtful Sound, paying particular attentionto the botanical featuresof ]nko, mountain, and sound. Stewart Island will also be taken in their travels, and various parts of the North Island. Dr. dv Rietz does not expect to complete his New Zealand botanical investigations until August next.

Societies Defunct. The dissolution of the Wellington Master Butchers' Association, the Wairarapa Employers' Association, the Marton Cosmopolitan Club, and the Hutt Valley Radio Club, formerly registered as incorporated societies, is announced in this week's "Gazette." City's Welcome to be Broadcasted. The City Council has agreed to the broadcasting of the city's welcome at the Town Hall to Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York. Conscience Believed. Persons unknown have forwarded the following amounts—receipt of which is acknowledged in this week's "Gazette"—as conscience money, to the Government Departments: £.50 and £7 forwarded to the Land and Income Tax Department at Wellington; and £5 and 2s 6d forwarded to the Railway. Department at Wellington. Playground on Town Belt. A request made to the City Council some little time ago by a deputation representing the Education Board, for a portion of the Town Belt adjacent to Douro avenue to be reserved as a children's playground for the Newtown East School, has been granted, and the arrangements made between the board and the Winter Show authorities in connection with the use of a play area for the Newtown West School, near Hutcheson road, have been approved by the council. ' Farmers' Freezing Works. After a long discussion in committee on Wednesday the Dominion executive of j the New Zealand Farmers' Union pass- ! Ed a resolution to the effect that it views with alarm the apathy of the Meat Producers' Board towards safeguarding farmers' freezing works, and again asks that a committee be appointed at once to inquire into the operations of the smaller works. Still in the Future. "Can you give the council any information in connection' 1 with the Northland Tunnel?" asked Councillor R, beinple at last night's council meeting. Arc there any prospects of using the tunnel, O r are we going to close it up?" The Mayor replied that it would be some time before the steamer arrived with the material. The Order-in-Coun-eil was as good as complete, and they could go on with the work as soon as the ste amer arrived. •"I suppose it will be a legacy for the next council," remarked Councillor Semple. The Bulldog Grip. The tenacious characteristics of the true Bntish bulldog were responsible for a funeral being held up for several minutes in Auckland yesterday, telegraphs "The Post's" Auckland correspondent. Just before' a long line of motor-cars moved off for the cemetery a large bulldog fastened his teeth on to the rear axle of. one. of the vehicles and resisted all attempts to remove him. It was five minutes, before the animal was detached. Council Milk for Karori.

The City Council decided last evening that the municipal milk delivery service should be extended to the Karori district on or about Ist March.