WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 295, 19 June 1907, Page 2

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES

[By Telegraph.] (Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, June 19. The Hospital is still crowded, ow-# ing to the prevalence of fever and other sickness. The number of fever cases during the past six or eight weeks is abnormal. It is suspected that many cases are not reported to the authorities. Dr. Makgill advises householders that no method of fumigating is thoroughly effective for disinfecting such materials as blankets and clothing: the only safe method for these- articles is subjecting them to the action of superheated steam. There is an apparatus of this kind at the Public Hospital, and it has been found very beneficial. The City Engineer proposes adding to the new destructor a special room containing a steam disinfector, so that Wellington will be the first town in New Zealand to have an up-to-date disinfecting plant. Mr Ngata, M.H.8., who has arrived here from the North, states that Sir Robert Stout has remained at Rotorua, as he is too ill to travel. Ever since Sir Robert suffered from ptomaine poisoning, as' the result of eating cream cheese, he has been rather. poorly in health. He is. at present suffering from an acute attack of gout. It is hoped, however, that a course of the mud baths at Rotorua will quickly restore him to normal health. The single taxers are very active just now, and are not at all satisfied with those members of the Government Party who are opposing the Government Land Bill. A member of the League, speaking at a meeting of the Hutt Branch, said the views of Mr Wilford, M.H.R., on the Land question are unsatisfactory to a large section of his constituents, and it is extremely desirable that he should be opposed at the next election by a candidate in favor of a heavy addition to the tax on land values. The able and lucid judgment of Mr Justice Williams, in the case against the Timara slaughtermen, has given great satisfaction in Labor circles, and at the same time has greatly discomfited those who have been writing reams upon the effectiveness of the Arbitration Act as a preventive against strike. Mr F. G. Alfrey, of Palmerston N., has been appointed by the Public Works Department to take charge of the additions to the Parliament Buildings. A Maori will case, of considerable importance, has been before the Native Appellate Court, now sitting in Wellington. Chief Judge Palmer, sitting at Hastings some weeks ago, refused probate of the will of Wi Matua to Mr Reaidon, of Wellington, surveyor, and it is that; decision which is being appealed against. The estate is worth about £20,000. The Court has reserved its decision.