PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1288, 5 November 1896, Page 39

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE.

The Public Works Committee of the City Council met on Monday. Present —His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Anderson, Lingard, Lindsay, Higginbottom, McGill, Smith, Barber, Fraser, Harcourt and Devine. Mr Penty was present, and made an application for a right-of-way in Pirie street, on behalf of Mrs FitzGerald.—lt was decided to recommend that the application be acceded to.

Mr W. A. Adams attended with reference to a proposed right-of-way off Devon street.— .Recommended that the members for the ward visit the latter place and report on the application.

Mr C. B. Morison attended regarding an alleged encroachment at Aurora terrace. It was decided that the councillors for Lambton Ward visit the properties and report. Mt Scoullar, on Dehalf of himself and other residents of Lambton quay, applied to havo the siphon opposite his premises enlarged. The City Engineer did not consider the proposed addition would be any use. The engineer was directed to report, and give an estimate of the cost.

An application was received from Mr Mestayer and the consulting engineers recommending that Mr H. P. Hanify, Assistant Drainage Engineer, be granted an increase of salary from ,£2OO to -£250. It was decided to lecoinmend the granting of the application. A report was received from the City Solicitor dealing with the Court of Appeal’s decision in the shelter sheds case.—The Mayor said he hoped this would settle, the matter. —Councillor Lingard moved that it be recorded on the minutes the Council’s satisfaction at the manner in which the City Solicitor had conducted the case. The motion was agreed to. Reports were also received from tho City Solicitor on Jenkins’’case, Dr Martin’s case, and on the Aurora terrace encroachments. The latter report was handed over to the Committee appointed to visit the spot. A letter was received from Mr Thomas Ward with reference to street encroachment, and suggesting that there bo proper street alignment. Councillor Fraser moved that the work be done, as it was very necessary, and that Mr Ward’s services be secured to carry out the work at a cost of £165. The recommendation was agreed to. It was decided that the necessary steps be taken to remove an old house in Taranaki street.

The offer of the Harbour Board to pay half the cost of watering Waterloo quay was accepted. It was decided to recommend that a sum of £3 be paid to Mr Monahan for work done in connection with house connection. Several of tho councillors suggested, that it would be advisable for the Council to have a tariff of charges in connection with drainage connections, as it was pointed out that in many cases these charges were very excessive.

The report of tho committoe with reference to an application to a right-of-way, South road, was adopted. An application by St. Patrick’s Collego for a right-of-way from Duppa street was declined, as the proposed work would cost too much money. It was decided that the Council be recommended to grant halt’ the cost of removal of earth at Normanby terrace.

Councillor Smith moved that the application of Mr Priestly to erect a shooting gallery be not acceded to. This was agreed to. It was decided to grant tho request of Mr C. Robinson for a right-of-way off Dock street.

In committee last week the Board of Education appointed Miss Morimer head mistress of the Mount Cook Girls’ School. Mr Geo. Lambert, of Johnsonvillo, has been appointed to act as the representative of the Government Advances to t-ettlars Office in the districts round Wellington. Proposals for loan and all other information respecting Ihe department can be obtained at any time at his office, Johnsonvillo, or at 41, Lambton quay, Wellington. A statement of powers delegated to the Levin Domain Board under the Public Domains Act, 1881, is set out in the Gazette. In future sittings of the Magistrate’s Court will be held at Levin in lieu of the Wirokino Road Board office, as previously appointed. I he monetary dispute which latply cropped up between two telegraph operators, who had exchanged stations, has now been settled out of Court. At a meeting of tho Hutt Licensing Committee held in Wellington on Thursday, a temporary license was granted Mr Butler for the Kaiwarra Club Hotel. The Exhibition buildings are now ready for the reception of exhibits, and circulars are about to be sent out asking intending exhibitors to have their goods finished and in position before opening day, November 18th. A lady had her pocket picked last week while awaiting the arrival of the WellingtonManawatu train. A purse containing 24s and a bunch of keys was taken. The lightfingered gentry are already practising their art before the Exhibition commences. The conference of representatives of agricultural societies which Mr G. H. Scales was to have been present at in Palmerston .North, did not take place. It was convened by the Manawatu Association in order to consider the question of re-arranging dates for the annual shows, but the Wellington Association was the only one which responded. The Bank of New Zealand intends erecting new premises at the corner of Customhouse quay and Hunter street. The sum of £l5O is offered for tho plans and specifications selected in connection with the work, £SO being given for those that are next in order Ol merit. Architects are reminded that their competitive designs must be in by December 31st. , , • n cotters of naturalisation havo been issued to the following Fredrik Andersen, Kaitangata; Frederick Ellmers, Woodend ; Martin Theodor Esperson, Rangiora; Poter Jenssen. Invercargill; Carl Peter Johanson.

Pahiatua ; Gustav Kiellberg, Taueru; Eobt. Morrell, Tawataia; Egisto Rondanina, Wellington; Joseph Taucher, Masterton ; Mariano Vella, iviana Island.

William Neville Ward, solicitor, of Otaki, was last week struck off the rolls by the Appeal Court, at the instance, originally, of the Wellington Law Society. The allegations were that Ward had misappropriated .£6 worth of stamps belonging to a client named Bennett; small sums as fees' summonses given him by two men named Mudgway ; and £6 10s given him by a man named ClUrli to file a bankruptcy petition. Their Honors held that there was misappropriation in each case, despite what had been argued to the contrary, and in striking Ward off ordered him to pay twenty gain east costs. Another afternoon burglary case has been reportod at this office, the house of an officer in the Electric Telegraph Department, who lives at Te Aro, having been entered on Monday afternoon, and jewellery to the value of about dJiiO abstracted. The family had left the premises after lunch, and were absent under a couple of hours, entrance being effected in the interim. The thief or thieves presumably belong to the Australian gang now in Wellington. Their method of procedure is simplicity itself. Knowing that the raa'e members are almost bound to be absent on business in the city, they prowl round in a most unsuspicious manner, and visit any bouses from which they see the remaining members of the household leaving. The liev W. A. Evans presided at the meeting of the Children’s Pete Committee last week in the Forward Movement Hall. It was decided to hold the fete on Saturday, November 21st, in Newtown Park, failing permission being granted for the use of the Basin Reserve. The Ladies’ Committee were appointed as a provisions committee, with Messrs Hopkirk and Bannister as supervisors. This committee is to meet on Friday next, when the amount of provisions promised will be made known, and arrangements will then bo made for whatever else is required. The Revs Tisdall and Drake and Messrs Benbow, Davis and Bannister were appointed a Sports Committee, with power to add to their number. It was decided to invite the Boys’ Brigade to the fete, as they lent valuable assistance by forming a bodyguard when the provisions were being distributed. The children are to be given a ticket which will, admit them to the ground.

The dates for the pupil teachers’ examinations in the Wellington district have not yet been fixed, but it is probable tho 17th and 18th December will be chosen.

The vacancies in Cable and Co.’s foundry caused by the boilermakers’ strike have been filled by men from the south, 'the strikers, who refused to work with non-unionists, were only out a couple of days, having been offered employment by another city firm. Speaking at tho lecture at the Star Boating Shed last week Dr Fell said that rowing, looked at from a medical point of view, was a bad thing, as it had a tendency to keep people healthy. It was impossible for a man who went in for this exercise to be otherwise than in good health. The Treasurer of the Boys’ Institute desires to acknowledge the following subscriptions : —Major-General Schaw, W. Cable and Co., Henry Hall, Dr Mackin, Dr Martin, John Jack and Son, dll Is each ; S. Luke and Sons, 10s 6d ; Wellington Biscuit Company, 10s ; G. Mee, 10s fid ; Mrs Newson, ss. A meeting of members of the No. 2 Cooperative Building Society of Wellington to allot the society s eighth loan-appropriation was held in the Forward Movement Hall, Manners street, last week. Mr Foley, the chairman of tho society, presided, and there was a good attendance. Messrs H. Mills and J. Shout were elected scrutineers. Miss Maud Nation was appointed to draw the ballot. The number drawn was 150, the number of Mr Michael Mitten, who, as he owns three shares in tho society, is, subject to the conditions of the society’s rules, entitled to a loan of <£3oo free of interest.

During' the legal discussion on the Shelter Sheds question in the Court of Appeal on Friday, the Bench was asked to give its opinion upon a clause in the statement which hadn’t been answered in the judgment, The Court, at the outset, seemed to think that it didn’t require answering, and Mr Justice Williams said it couldn't be answered very well because it was so badly put. Ho did not know then, and it did not transpire until a few minutes later, that it was inserted in the statement by Mr Justice Edwards before that gentleman was appointed to the Bench. There were smiles all round on the fact becoming generally known, the gentleman concerned appreciating the joke as much as auyone. Captain John Duncan is to bo captain, Lieutenant-Commanding E. Davy, Petono Naval Artillery, commander, and O. J. Cooper lieutenant of Wellington Naval Artillery Volunteers. By the Upolu, from Fiji, there came to hand on Friday portion of the first shipment of this season’s crop of pineapples. The whole shipment consisted of about 7UO or SOU eases, a number of which were discharged at Auckland. The steamer brought news that the crop this year has the appearance of being very heavy, the Indians at Samabula and the vicinity having a largo area planted with pines. The story of how the five-rater yacht Te Uira came to be built is worthy of being recorded. When Mr Gideon Palmer, an enthusiastic Australian yachtsman, was in Auckland some time ago he witnessed Mr Bailey, jun., making the model of a yacht. He was so much struck by the apparent excellence of the model that ho immediately gave an order to the Messrs Bailey to build him a yacht on exactly the same lines. The builders have faithfully done ilieir work, and ■when the yacht was taken for a spin round the Coromandel Peninsula she proved herself to bo not only a speedy little craft, but an admirable sea-boat. During a conversation with a New Zealand Mail representiva on Friday Mr C. Bailey remarked (when Captain Slocum’s yawl Spray was referred to) that the To Uira is such a soundly built vessel that he would be quite willing to sail in her on a voyage round thy world, similar to that which is now being made by the Spray. We have been requested to insert the names of the first six prize-takers in Jupp’s Band art union. They are as follows : —First, C. Whittaker, Manners street; second, A. Hunter; third, Miss Cole, Cambridge ter-

race ; fourth, L. M. Brookes, Mitchelltown : fifth, C, Bycroft. Eevans street; sixth, W. Fish, Epuni street. There was a large attendance at the Forward Movement Hall on Saturday night, when tho weekly “social” in connection, with the Workers’ Union was hold. Songs were contributed by Misses Hague, Orr, Collett, and Messrs Goodail, Dunstan, Mansfield, Griffiths, Darke and Johnson, and recitations by Messrs McLaren, McFarlauo and McMorran.

Tho fine two-storied brick building now being erected on Lambton quay, next the Gear Meat Company’s premises, is intended as a music warehouse for Mr George Eeiehardt, whose lease of his present promises, expires noxt year. The new building has a frontage of 27ft Sin, and extends back in an irregular section for Gift. Mr T. Turnbull is. the architect, and Messrs J. and A. Wilson, the builders. The price is <£349i). Mr H. J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary for Public 'Works, is to meet Mr Wilson, resident engineer in Nelson, and go with him over tho works at the Nelson end of the Midland Railway. They will ihcn go to Blenheim, the starting point of certain survey operations in view of the proposed extension of the railway southwards from Blenheim in the Awmtere district. Mr Blow left on Sunday for Nelson.

The following subscriptions have been collected by Mr J. Ross for the unemployed, relief works : —D. Anderson and A. 8.0., £s* each ; F. 0. Braiisford, <£2 ; H. K. Bethune and Count Jouffroy d’Abbans, £1 Is each ; Mr G. Anderson, £3 17s : made up as follows :—Sliarland and Co. and Whitcombe and Tombs, 10s each; J.H.D., A.M.8.H., J.K., T.D., M.G.T., N. W., G. and A., Cameron and Co., D.P. and H.H., os each. Though the weather on Sunday afternoon was suggestive of a shower-bath, Sfc. Patrick’s College Brass Band resolved to keep their appointment to play in tho College grounds, and did so, interpreting a short programme in capital style, considering that the notes were now and then naturally somewhat diluted. A commencement was made at Gisborne on Friday to load the ship Oamarn for London, and on that day about 200 bales were shipped. Tho Dingadec (which arrived here on Sunday) had tho first consignment of Mr J. N. Williams’ clip to tranship to the Oamarn, but. as the weather at Gisborne was unfavourable, the shipment, which consisted of 7G bales, was brought on to Wellington. It is expected that the entire chip of Mr Williams will aggregate 2000 bales. During the past two days coastal steamers havo been bringing wool to Wellington from the East Coast stations, and from Wanganui, Foxton and other places, and the ship Zealandia and barque Woathersfieid are both loading for London.

There was a good attendance in the big* room cf the Exchange Buildings on Sunday, when Mrs Karris, tho inspirational lecturer, delivered an address on “ Life and Labour in the Spirit World.” During tho course oZ her address Mrs Harris dwelt at some length, upon flic immortality of the. soul, tho progressive life after death, and the occupation of the angels in ministering to humanity, particularly in regard to the lower spheres or hells, the main object in this connection being, eventually, the perfection of all souls. The ministration of angels in regard to art; and science on earth, and magnetic healing; through natural mediums was also touched upon, as well as tho universal worship of tho Almighty. Mrs Harris intends delivering a number of inspirational lectures on abstract; subjects before leaving Wellington. The second annual banquet of the Central Pharmaceutical Association was held last Monday at Bodley’s private hotel, when about; thirty of tho members and friends sat down to a goodly spread under the presidency of Mr E. W. Gicson. Xftsr the cloth was removed the following toast list was gone* through:—“The Queer!,” “His Excellency tho Governor,” “ Tho President,” proposed by Mr Woods in a very happy speech. Mr Giesen responding in felicitous terms. Mr T. 11. Hustwick proposed “ Tho Pharmacy Board,” for whom Mr Moo replied. “ Tho Medical Profession,” by Mr Wilton. “ Pash and Present Officers ” was the next toast, and tli is was entrusted to Mr Mec, and Air Owen replied. Tho remaining toasts were : —■ “Town and Trade,” “Tho Press,” “Tho Ladies,” “ The Wholesale Trade,” and “ .Success to Pharmacy and our Next MerryMeeting.” During the evening a number oil songs and recitations were acceptably given, aud a most enjoyable function was brought to a close at midnight by the singing oil “Home, Boys, Home.” Councillor Barber has given notice that he will move, at the next meeting of the City Council, “ That with a view to continuing Cambridge terrace and Kent terrace through tfie Basin Reserve, and widening Adelaida road, the City Valuer be instructed to furnish a statement showing the amount likely to be derived from the sale or lease of the Basin Reserve in building sections, fronting Sussex square, and tho continuation of Cambridge aud Kent terraces.”

While an individual was walking up Cuba street on Monday afternoon in the most unconcerned manner, some young men who were passing him noticed smoko issuing from his clothing, and drew his attention to tho fact. He immediately divested himself of his mackintosh and coat, and they were found to be on fire, a large hole having been burned in each. It is supposed that they became ignited through a piece of tobacco falling from his lighted pipe. Last Monday at the Boys’ Institute Mr J. Cell, A.1.E.E., gave a most interesting lecture on “ Electricity.” Mr J. K. Logan, superintendent of the Telegraph Department, kindly lent a number of electrical appliances, which Mr Cell used and explained to the lads. In conclusion, the lecturer stated that he was very pleased with the attention given, and would probably deliver another lecture on the same subject. It is evident that the Dresden Piano Company continues to maintain its popularity, as during last week that Company sold organs to the Masonic Lodges here and at Otaki; the Church of England, FoUding ; the Presbyterian Church, /Cent terrace ; and the Wesleyan Church, Molesworth street. The instrument sold to tho last congregation was a superb two-manual organ by Bell and Co., of Guelph, U.S.A.

Mr A. D. Riley, director of the Technical School, left on Monday to inspect the technical classes at Cross’s Creek and Mauriceville.

As the charge for the Technical School drawing examination papers is considered too high, the question of reducing it is to be considered before next examination. Councillor Smith will move the next meeting of the City Council, “ That the necessary steps be taken to widen the streets from Cambridge terrace to Kintoul street.” At the meeting of th 9 Public Works Committee on Monday, five tenders were received for the erection of a boiler-house for the new pumping engine in connection with the drainage works. It was decided to refer them to the Drainage Engineer, with power to accept the lowest, if in oi-der.

The usual meeting' of Court Lady Glasgow was held last Monday in the Foresters’ Hall, Lambton quay, P.C.R. Sister Woolcott presiding. Sister Aston, the district delegate, received instructions as to the district mooting to be held this month. One candidate was initiated and one proposed. With reference to the notice to intending advertisers on the cricket cards to be used during the progress of the game Australian eleven against Wellington, wo may state that we have seen a letter from the secretary of the Association, which gives Mr D’Elmaine the sole right of tho cards. Advertisers should therefore note the fact.

In this year’s first grade drawing examination conducted by tho Technical School tho total number of candidates presented for freehand, geometry, scale and model drawing was 3880, of whom 3521 are in the Wellington district, and tho number who passed was 2801, of whom 2561 are in the Wellington district. The total number of schools presenting candidates was 09 The G'or.vent Bazaar at tho Skating Kink was well patronised both on Monday afternoon and evening, especially in the evening, wh€n the Rink was crowded. The various dances by the children were again loudly applauded, as they well deserved. St. Mary’s Brass Band played selections outside the Kink during the evening. The takings amounted to .£BO.

Tho Art Gallery was well filled on Monday, when a concert was given by the members of St. Paul’s Choir. Several part songs were well rendered by the choir. Pianoforte solos were olaved by Misses J. Parker and Wilson, a violin solo by Master L. Parsons, and a trio for piano, violin and violoncello by Misses Barber, G. Kennedy and Mr S. K. Kennedy, all of which items were characterised by much tasto and expression. Goring Thomas’ “A Summer’s 'Night” was extremely well sung by Miss Pownall, who was loudly applauded. The other vocal items on the programme were also well received. Miss Barber acted as accompanist. At last Monday’s meeting of the Public Works Committee of the City Council. His Worship the Mayor took this opportunity of thanking tho Council for their spontaneous and handsome present mado to Miss Fisher on the occasion of her marriage. Special attention is drawn to the Union Company's advertisement re steamers to the Christcnurcli Races. Tho arrangement to dh patch the Penguin for Lyttelton on Sunday, returning to Wellington on Tuesday morning, will doubtless be taken advantage of by those who are unable to absent themselves from their business for more than one day. The monthly returns of the Department of Labour show a gratifying state of affairs in the labour market throughout the Colony. Business is decidedly brisk, and very few applications are recoivod by tho department in want of assistance. It has been found necessary to alter Madame Trebelli’a dates in New Zealand, so that for the present it is not known when she wi.l visit our city.