RAILWAY ACCOMMODATION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2349, 10 February 1893, Page 2

RAILWAY ACCOMMODATION.

Constant dropping of water wears away even a stone, and the constant; applications for a verandah at the railway station have at last, it seems, wearied the Railway Commissioners into consent. A letter has been received by the borough authorities in answer to a letter sent on Ist February stating that " instructions have been given lor the erection of a verandah as requested." While expressing thanks for this announcement we may say that the Railway Commissioners would earn the gratitude of the whole provincial district if they would send up one of their number to consider the question of the conveyance of dairy produoe before next season comes round. But we shall refer to that another day.

A telegram from Wellington says that a shock of earthquake was felt there at 2 o'clock this morning, being the sixth since 2nd December. The shock was also felt in Hawera.

School Committees situated within the Wanganui Education District will notice by an advertisement in another column that the time has come round for tbe nomination of candidates to the Education Board.

Some people having complained at the price of 4s as being too high for reserved seats at the justly- celebrated " Max O'Rell's" lecture on Tuesday evening next the management has decided that patrons of the 3s seats may reserve the same at Messrs. N. Fairs and Co.

As the law library for Hawera is about to arrive and there is no accommodation for it, the profession are asking tbe Minister of Justice to erect a room at the Courthouse. At the same time the Government will be asked to ereot another room to be available as a retire* ment room for jurors, and also for witnesses and other persons attending the sitting of the court. At tbe present time there is no place for euoh persons, except tbe verandah, and in cold and wet weather great inconvenience is suffered.

It is considered probable (the Wellington Post saya) that the term of office of the Railway Commissioners under the present arrangement will be extended next session for another twelve months, and that tbe question of Ministerial control of the railways — a Minister to sit on tbe Board of Comnmioners, and be responsible to Parliament — will be made a feature of the general election. Should this be canied, it is very likoly that the Minister for Railways and the Railway Department would take over the construction of new lines, as well as the maintenance and management of existing lines.

A witness occasioned some amusement on Wednesday by his replies to questions as to distance. The R.M., to test bis knowledge, asked him what distance it was from the witness-box to the Bank of New Zealand (the width of the road), and the witness replied, quite seriously, " About 300 yards." " How far is it from the box to that door ?" (pointing to tbe door of the court room, distant some fifteen feet), enquired tbe court. " About twenty yards," answered the witness. "I'm afraid you would not be very successful as a volunteer in a judging distance contest," said Mr. Kettle ; and tbe risibility of the court attenders was nipped in the bud by the stern cry of " Order I"

Hayes' Circus shows in Hawera on race nights. Fuller particulars will appear.