WELLINGTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 4974, 27 January 1877, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

(fbom oue own cobhbspondbnt.) Jon. 22. The magnificent summer weather which has prevailed here for a very long time now, would be much more enjoyable, were it not that unfortunately it is accompanied by a scarcity of water. The supply in the reservoir is so low, that the mains are only charged for about an hour each morning, and for the rest of the 24 hours a supply has to be stored, or done without. The inconvenience thus caused is very considerable, and the domestic annoyances of washing days are of course enhanced. Were a fire to occur now, I scarcely know what serious results might not ensue, for, although the water would be turned on, the pressure is very slight, and the supply very scanty. This shortness of water is, however, an inconvenience not likely to occur again after the termination of the present drought. What has heretofore been known as the Boservoir, is really only the distribution basin of the Waterworks as originally designed. The contract for the construction of the Reservoir, which will be an enormously large one, was let for some £19,000 about two months ago, and water even then being scarce, the contractor was soon afterwards offered a bonus of £ISOO if, by Jan. 15, he would have the retaining wall of the dam so far finished as to be capable of storing five million gollons of water. He set to work with a will, and by having men at work 18 hours out of each 24, he managed by the 13th, two days within time, to have the dam wall right across the gully built from the foundations in the bed rook, to a height of 20 feet. The foundations of the tower, which is to stand in the reservoir, had also to be carried on to a similar height, and the retaining wall strengthened by a puddle bank. Upwards of 1300 yards of concrete wore completed in the time, and the bonus was well earned. Unfortunately, however, there is at present, little or no water to store. The stream is lower than it has ever been known to be before. The first heavy rain will however, set matters to rights. When the new roservoir is finished, the retaining wall will be 90 feet high, and the sheet of water will extend back for nearly half-a-mile. Diphtheria, which, a few weeks ago, was creating some alarm here, has, I am glad to soy, disappeared. In the family in which it broke out five children fell victims to it, and one of their playfellows in the neighbourhood also died j but the disease did not spread beyond the one locality; and although there were several other oases there none proved fatal. An inspection of the back premises of the house occupied by the first family attacked removes any surprise which might bo felt at the outbreak of this or any other disease of the kind. It is all very well to blame the Corporation for bad drainage, but really people will not, in many cases, take the most ordinary sanitary precautions in respect to their own houses, and all the public drainage in the world will not suffice to keep backyards in a clean and healthy condition. The Corporation has now under its consideration a scheme of drainage and sewerage for the City, drawn up by a Mr Olimie, un' Engineer of boibo experience, wno was, in the first instance, employed to take the necessary levels, and then to recommend a scheme of drainage. His report has not been published, and has as yet only boon considered in Committee by the Council, without any decision being arrived at, but it is understood that the Councillors generally approve of Mr Climie’s proposals. Ho proposes to provide for the drainage and the removal ot all sewage, whether solid or liquid, on the gravitation principal the sowers discharging into a central reservoir, whence the contents would bo pumped to a suffloient elevation to bo carried through a tunnel in the Mount Victoria range to Evans’ Bay, on the property of Mr J. 0. Crawford, who is willing to agree to remove it thence, and use it for fertilising purposes on his extensive estate on the Peninsula. It is said that Mr Oli'Xinio’s estimates show tbut the total cost of this scheme, of dimensions suffloient to provide for a city of 50,000 inhabitants, is quite within the means likely to be available for the purpose. If this scheme bo carried out, Wei Imgton will be the best drained city in New Zealand, instead of being, as it unfortunately is at present, celebrated for the number and variety of its stinks. , , . To-day ia the anniversary of the arrival of the first settlers at this, “ the first and prm-

Oipal settlement of the Now Zealand Company.” Consequently, It is also the anniversary of the foundation of the Colony, As usual, it is being celebrated by a regatta, and a finer day there could not be for the sailing races, although (he water is nther too rough for outriggers. For the last week or (wo we have been boating mad here. Nothing has been talked of but crows, strokes, Dolly Vardens, Ac,, and wo are not a little proud of the triumph achieved by the Dolly Yarden crew at the Nelson Interprovincial Regatta, where, for the second successive year, they carried their colours (Wellington Bowing Club) to the front in the race for the championship of the Colony. The same crow also won the four-oered inrigged race, and two of them won the pair- oared race also.

The next sensation will be orioket, u the All-England Eleven will bo here in less than a fortnight. They will, I expect, have a very eaey thing of it here, for in some way or other orioket doe> not aoem to thrive in Wellington. Wo have plenty of excellent players, but they do not practise or work together, and the result is that when Wellington teams meet outsiders they are generally beaten. Nelson beat us only a few weeks ago. The Twentytwo who are to play the All-England are not yet chosen. The selection has been left to a Committee of three veterans who have retired from active service, bat their task will be a difficult one, as it is very difficult to get the possible players into the field for regular practise. The subscriptions, to., amount to about £2OO.

Following close on the Orioket Match will come our annual races, which, this year, have been altered from December to February, so as better to meet the convenience of the owners of horses. The entries for the principal event, the Wellington Cup, are numerous and good, and a very large field is likely to start for it. It seems a very open thing, and although Wellington is now overrun with bookmakers, they do not seem to be doing very much business. Guy Fawkes seems to be slightly the favourite, but several others are a good deal fancied, although people are not at all anxious to back their opinions yet. A number of the horses are already here and in training at the Hutt. Two singular deaths occurred at the Pipitea baths last week. The first was of an infant. The child was restless, and the mother gave it three teaspoonfuls of Winslow’s eootbing syrup, when it exhibited symptoms of narcotic poisoning, and although medical aid was obtained, it died from the effects. At the inquest which was held, Dr Broadford, who attended the child, quoted analysis made by Professor Taylor and Dr Hoffman, showing that this syrup contained morphia in dangerous quantities, and he condemned its use in the strongest terms. One chemist said he sold upwards of a dozen bottles weekly. The other death, was that of a young man, aged 19, named Garnet, a clerk in the telegraph office, who, while bathing, dislocated his neck, by diving into about three feet of water. He lived till next day, and even spoke once, but of course recovery was out of the question. The County Councillors of the Hutt have held two meetings, and have determined to bring the whole Act'into force, but they really seem to have very little idea of what this implies, and they are in a state of the most happy confusion about their duties and responsibilities. Tbeir meetings are something to wonder at, if not to admire Everyone talks at once, and the chairman looks blandly on. There are no rules laid down or followed, and no one seems to know what is to be done. The only chance a Council composed of such materials would have of conducting business properly, would be in having a really good clerk. They are now advertising for such an officer, but as the salary offered is only £225, they are not likely to secure the right sort of man, and I doubt, therefore, whether the County Government will, in this instance, prove a great success.

Mr Bunny still presides in the Provincial buildings, and all the old staff is there as usual, it being understood that all are engaged in the work of winding up matters. What will ultimately be done with the officers is not yet announced. At present the only change appears to be that payments are no longer made at the Provincial Treasury. Mr Bunny has received fresh appointments as Executive Officer, but without salary. The Premier is absent on a visit to Auckland and Taranaki. He certainly wanted a rest, for the hard work and worry were beginning to tell severely on him. Mr Bowen and Mr Reid are the only members of the Government here, and the latter has set in to his work in a most businesslike way, and is already spoken of in the buildings as an excellent administrator. Mr E. Stafford, formerly Examiner of Titles hero, and more lately Mr Moorhouse’s professional partner, has accepted the vacant post of Assistant Law Officer, and will assume that office on March 1.

Messrs Bates and Howard have dissolved partnership at the Theatre Royal, and Mr Howard is now solo lessee. At Mr Bates’ farewell benefit, a complimentary address, handsomely illuminated, was presented to him and his wife. It was signed by most of the principal citizens. Mr Emmet is at present playing “ Fritz,” and drawing well. At the end of this week the Lingards come.