CURRENT TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6922, 14 September 1909, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS

LYELL BAY TRAMWAY. Tihe construction of the I/yell Bay tramway track is being pushed on very rapidly. All the excavation work has boon completed and tho rails have been laid for about three chains, and a crossing h?s already been put in. The track, which will be 1000 yards long, runs from Ooutts street straight along Onepu rorjd, ajid the sleepers are nearly all in position. These me being laid in a trench on top ot shingle, and when the rails are in position the track will be metalled. The Lyell Day Esplanade which is being constructed in conjunction with the tramway—it is a part of the same scheme—has boon formed in the rough from Queen's drive to Otaopu road, and it will be Continued if possible this year as far as the block given by the late Mr Ortawford for a recreation ground. It is intended to construct the esplanade little by little until tho city boundary is reached. Tho rood will then be three or four miles long, and the esirfanade will be one of the features of Wellington. MOUNT VICTORIA ROAD. The formation of the Mount Victoria road has been completed from the top of Constable street to the base of the cone on which the signal Etatrion stands. A portion of the track has also been metalled. Work has ceased on the road for the present, but some finishing touches will be done at tho Constable street cutting if funds will permit after Anderson Park has been grassed. The metalling of the track should be completed before vehicular traffic is allowed on it, and what is anoro essential the road should be fonced on both sides for the protection of the leaseholders on the line of route. The lessees have given the authorities every facility for carrying out the road work and have put up with tho depredations of straying cattle which have gone from one leasehold to another owing to the cutting: of boundary fences. Tho track is good for walking, if not for driving over, and many persons went over the new road on Sunday. No provision has yet been made for the construction of a footpath from the terminus of the road around the eastern side of the mountain to the signal station. Now that - the road has been constructed the terminating footpath should be provided in order to ■ailow sightseers to get with comfort one of the finest panoramic views of ■Wellington and its suburbs. FARM INDUSTRIES. On Saturday, the Hon. T. Mackenzie met a largo meeting of farmers and fruitgrowers at Hastings, and talked j over matters of interest in connection with those industries. Regarding the I small-bird pest, the Minister said the importation of small owls was illegal, they being birds of prey. He would investigate the matter, and if he found it advisable, would amend the law to admit small owls. Speaking with respect to the establishment of seed-test-ing farms, the Minister said the Government wanted to establish one central station from which to supply A. and P. Societies, leaving farmers to experiment further with seeds from this source. For this station he wanted to utilise the money offered by Mr Buchanan, if

bo would lot the Government have it. Ifo stated that ho had divided the biological division of his department, and had told Mr Kirk to devote his (vhole time to fruit, while Mr Cockayne was to be entrusted with the seed section. The Minister urged tilie dairy .formers to keep down the amount of moisture in butter. Homo people wished to abolish the J?ew Zealand Government's certificate. This would be most serious for the dairy industry, and it was necessary for factories to export good butter, and provide the Government with a sound argument against any oliango being made. A COUNCILLOR AND HIS CUSTOMER. The question of the eligibility of a •partner in a firm doing business with a local body for a seat on that body camo up for discussion at last night's meeting of the Lowed-, Hutt Borough Council. An account for goods supplied was presented for payment from a firm of which a councillor (Mr Barlow) was a member. Tho Mayor questioned tlio legality of the councillor's position. Councillor Barlow replied that ho had sought legal advice on the matter beforo seeking election. Ho was satisfied that ho was within his rights and intended to hold his scat until ho was ejected. The Mayor pointed out that according to statuto in tho case of partners in a company acceptance of payments by tho company for goods supplied or services rendered a local body constituted a disqualification for membership unless the shareholders in the company were twenty or moro in number.