WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11582, 21 February 1901, Page 6

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

[BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONBKNT.]

Wellington", Wednesday.

BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORSASSOCIATION. At the usual monthly meeting of the above association, held last night, the fact that the associated sawmillers had twice in the course of a few months raised the price of timber without notk-e was severely criticised. It was renolved to consider this action at the next meeting. It is reported that the architects and builders are amalgamating, with the view of securing mills both in town and country. SHIPMENT OF FROZEN POULTRY. The Government poultry expert will leave to-morrow for Auckland. While in that city Mr. Hyde will superintend arrangements for the first shipment this season of frozen poultry from the Northern province. On his way back to Wellington he will deliver a course of lectures at the principal centres between New Plymouth and this city.

A NEW MACHINERY LUBRICANT. A sampjy of oil from the springs at Kotuku, West' Coast, has been tested as a lubricant foi machinery, with very satisfactory results. A further sample has been sent for examination to the Government anaylst, who, after testing it, speaks highly of its value. It is .now stated by a WestCoast exchange that a large company is soon to be floated for the purpose of working the springs. LIGHT WEIGHT IN BREAD. A local baker was charged this morning, before the Stipendiary Magistrate, with celling 41b loaves two and u-half ounces short. There was a shortage in other loaves. Defendant explained that though the loaves were made to a certain weight, some loaves that were put in the oven first, and that were therefore longer in the oven, underwent greater evaporation and drying, and came out lighter than other loaves. Drying and fermentation (which also affected the weight) could not possibly be controlled. The bakers had been promised to be allowed a " make weight," but that promise had not been fulfilled. He would give 2000 loaves if any baker could show himself to be able to comply with the Act. The only thing possible was for the bakers themselves to weigh and condemn their light weights after baking. Though seven to eight ounces was now allowed for evaporation in the case of a 41b loaf, some loaves longer in the oven would still dry to a greater extent than that allowance. ATHLETICS. His Excellency the Governor has offered for competition a gold medal for the best ailround athlete in the colony. MINES DEPARTMENT. Mr. McKay, of this Department, returned to Wellington last night from the eastern slopes of the Kaimauawa Ranges, where itwas reported that gold had been found. His report is that he has not been favourablj impressed with the auriferous character of the couitry which he traversed. A DISAPPOINTMENT. The citizens of Oamani have forwarded a resolution to the Acting-Premier complaining that the officer commanding the Imperial troops refused to observe the route laid down by the local committee. The consequence was that thousands of the people never saw anything of the Imperial troops at- all.