NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8222, 10 September 1912, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Tho Wellington G.P.O. was advised by wireless last night that the Atheuic expected to arrive at Wellington from London at 9 o’clock this morning, and tho Moeraki at 10 o’clock to-morrow morning. A message from the Aorangi, bound for Wellington from San Francisco, stated that she was H 39 miles away. The weather was squally, and she was battling against a head wind and a rough head sea. The captain could not say the exact time at which the vessel wna likely to reach port, having nearly throe days to go yet, but he anticipated reaching Wellington some time on Thursday afternoon.

The following vessels are expected to be within wireless range of Wellington this evening:—Alcana, Moeraki, Ulimaroa, Maheno, Aorangi, Atno, and Victoria.

The Mission Band played at the hospital on Sunday afternoon, and a collection taken up on behalf of the institution realised -C4 14s 3d.

Mr T. M. Wilfonl, M.F., has informed tho secretaries of the Hutt and Petono Bowling Clubs that the cups he has presented for competition among members of each club are to become the property of the member in each club who succeeds in winning the singles on throo separate occasions. The drivers’ tug-of-war team which will represent New Zealand at the international tug in Sydney this month will, have to defend their laurels before leaving Wellington. The Wellington waterside workers hare accepted tho drivers' challenge, and a contest will probably be arranged nt. an early date. A ratepayer of tho Hutt who applied for tho refund of rates overpaid to tho council last year is to be informed that tho council havo no power to refund tho amount. “It may be the law,” said Councillor Clcndon, “but it is not honest."

In future before any drainage permits are issued by tb© Hutt borough engineer the borough inspector is to inspect all drainage work required and to submit specifications, the cost of inspection fee .to bo five shillings. The recommendation of the engineer whs agreed to, and the by-law is to be altered accordingly. A special class of instruction for teachers is being held at the Master-ton District High School. Mr C. A. Gumming, the board's agricultural expert, is giving a series of lectures on “Agricultural Topics in Relation to Nature Study in Schools," and the teachers are also engaged in practical microscopic work, and in the chemical laboratory. Dr Cockayne will give an address next Thursday. The class will conclude at the end of this week.

The New Zealand Whaling Company’s steamer Rakiura arrived at Auckland last Friday from the northern whaling station. She will load 920 tons of coal for the rest of tie whaling fleet, and will probably sail for the Kcrmadccs about the middle of this week. The Hawk and Eagle sailed for the same place on Tuesday last, and when the Uakiura joins them, whaling in those regions will be commenced in real earnest. The Bakium carries a crew of 73 all told/

The duplication of the water main from the reservoir at Wainui has progressed steadily of late, but the anticipation that it might be finished by tho end of this year is hardly likely to bo realised. It is stated that tho chief cause of the delay which has occurred has been the unusually large number of breakages of pines during shipment. Several gaps in tne duplication still have to be filled in. Work upon the Bell sroad ileservoir Ss well advanced, tho excavation being complete, but much yet remains to be done before it can bo used.

The Wellington Stationary, Traction, and Locomotive Engine Drivers’ Union has filed & dispute for hearing by the Conciliation. Council. Employers in Wellington, Masterton, Hawke's Bay, Palmerston North, and Wanganui have been cited. The, union asks tor a forty-eigbt-hour week and wages ranging from Is l§d to Is, 4id per hour, according to the class of engine driven. Messrs Thomas J. Cain, Edward McConnell, and John Bead are nominated assessors for the union. The Conciliation Commissioner (Mr P. Hally) will sit to hear the dispute at Wellington on September 27th, ana at Palmerston North on October Ist.

The new city by-law dealing with the regulation of motor traffic is now in. operation, and is reported to be producing satisfactory results. For some time past the city motor inspector has been kept very busy with the work involved in inspecting public" motor cars • and licensing .their drivers, and also the registrationl of private vehicles and tho examination and certification of. owners and chauffeurs. Already sixty-four private cars and twenty-seven motor cabs have been registered, while over sixty owners or chauffeurs of private cars have passed the prescribed examination and have been granted certificates under tho by-law.

To provide for interest and sinking fund on a special loan of .£IB.OOO, a special rate of one-halfpenny in the XI of unimproved value was struck by the Miramar Borough Council yesterday afternoon. The loan is to bo raised for two purposes: (a) the construction and installation of. works for au electric power supply and light undertaking; (b) tho provision of tramway cars and sheds. The term of tho loan is to be tw'enty-six years. In reply to a councillor yesterday, the Mayor, Mr H. N. McLeod, stated that it was not intended to levy the whole of the rate unless it was absolutely required. It was, however, necessary to have the power in case it should be wanted.

One of the attractions at Oriental Bay in the near future will bo a fine tea kiosk. Mr James Bennie, of Lambton quay, has submitted plans to the city council, which have been approved, and work will be commenced very shortly. The building will be erected at the foot of Boseneath road, on tho site occupied by Bannatyne and Co.’s old kerosene store, a splendid position commanding an excellent view of the bay and the harbour. The kiosk will be two stories high, constructed of brick, steel, and reinforced concrete. The tearoom on the ground floor will be S6ft by Sift, and there will be a spacious kitchen, offices, and caretaker’s apartments. Upstairs will bo a large hall 80ft by 51ft, available for meetings, dances, etc., with cloak-rooms and all conveniences. .A glazed-in balcony will also be constructed on the top floor. Our London correspondent writes tinder date August 2nd : A melancholy incident in New Zealand’s maritime history is recalled by the death this week, at the ago of siltv-eeven, of Mr Charles George Brooke-Hnat, tho last surviving officer of H M S Orpheus, which was wrecked on the West Coast in February. 1863. Tho Orpheus, a steam corvette of 21 guns and 17w5 tons, was making a round of tho stations under Commander Burnett when she ran on the bar of the harbor at Manukau and became a total wreck, with the loss of her commandor, 23 officers, and 166 sailors, marines, and boys. Seventy members of the crow were rescued, the majority by the men of the WongaWonga. a email steamer, whooe captain on arrival found heavy seas breaking clear over the Orpheus half-way up tho ringing. All the officers and men had climbed on to the rigging, the commander, with his young officers, being on the mizzen-top. As the flood tide rose the masts fell away one by one. Those who sought refuge in the tops were heard cheering and encouraging each other as they fell. Fragments of spare and large masses of wreck were carried inshore by the tide with members of the crew clinging to them in the last stages of exhaustion.

Ladies are notified that Mrs Bolleston has just received a large supply of Human Hair, direct from the leading hair merchants. Paris, Switches from 8s 6d upwards; pin curls, 2s 3d: "Nedra” heir net* (special), 9d; transformations, etc., English prices. 256, Lambton quay.