NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8613, 26 December 1913, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

About 2.30 o’clock on Wednesday morning, a sharp and prolonged shock of earthquake was felt in Wellington. Press Association telegrams state that the shock was felt at Blenheim, Wanganui, Hawora, Inglewood, Eltham, Marton, Nelson, and other places. Notwithstanding the strike, Napier tradespeople report that Christmas trade is booming, and is fully up to last year’s—in many cases considerably better (says a Press Association message). The settlement of tho Labour trouble has let purse-strings loose, and people are spending freely. There is a great influx of visitors for the holidays, a Mardi Gras carnival being the special attraction. Only one accident of a serious nature occurred in Wellington on Christmas Eve. Shortly after 8 p.m. a middle-aged man named Eric Orr was knocked down by a tramcar on the corner of Featherston street and Lambtjon quay. He received an ugly wound on the bead and was rendered unconscious. Yesterday morning he had recovered consciousness, and last night was progressing favourably. A trial spin of the new ’b'us of the Kolburne-Earori Motor ’Bus Company was held on ..Wednesday afternoon, with most satisfactory results. The trip, which occupied fifty-one minutes, was round the Queen’s drive and over the Constable street hill. The hill put a good tost on the brakes, and the inspector who was on the vehicle expressed himself as very pleased with it.

“Everything is practically complete in regard to the remainder of the work to be done in widening Willis street, with the exception of the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel,” said the Mayor to a reporter on Wednesday. “The council has acquired ten feet of tho building, but, certain arrangements have to be come to before the building can he set back. The present lease of the building expires in 1819, but my own personal opinion is that an endeavour will bo made to bring about a settlement of this difficult question early next year.” The hon. secretary of the Wellington branch of the Navy League has been advised by tho Admiralty authorities as to the movements of His Majesty’s ships of the New Zealand division, with a request that tho details should be published for the information of relatives and friends of men aboard the warships:—The Psycho and tho drillship Pyramus, now both at Wellington, will leave for Auckland about January 3rd. The Philomel remains at Auckland, the Torch remains at Sydney, tho Fantomo and Sealark remain at Hobart. Applications for enrolment be sent addressed to the Officer Commanding, H.M. drillship Pyramus. Th© Christmas treat provided by Airs S. Kirkcaldio for the children’s ward of tho Wellington public hospital was a source of d: light to tho little patients on Wednesday afternoon. A lino Christmas tree was the prominent feature. This was prettily decorated with coloured electric bulbs and was covered with toys of every description. There were about fifty children in the ward, and each received several presents. Airs Kirkcaldie, assisted by a Santa Claus, distributed tho toys among tho children. During the afternoon tea was served by the nurses to tho onlookers, among whom were Airs Luke (Mayoress), the Rev. W. A. Evans. Dr. Hardwick Smith, Airs Elliott, Mrs Young, tho matron, and many of tho staff and several members of the Hospital Board. The apiary of the Ruakura farm of instruction, 'established by Air 1. Hopkins in 1905, is now widely known as a model apiary and an important centre of advancement in apiculture (says the “Journal of Agriculture”). It comprises over a hundred colonies. Among the important demonstrations carried out at this apiary havo been different methods of queen-rearing, tho utilisation of wastage (honey that c-ould not bo marketed), by converting it into vinegar and meed, and _ the use of the hydrometer in determining when honey is lit for market. As soon as convenient it is intended to raise Italian queens for distribution. Tho apiary is in charge of Miss D. Hart, who received her training at Ruakura under Miss Livcsay. Alisa Hart has now been in charge about three years, and has herself t rained several cadettes, xwo being under her direction at the present time. Mr I. Hopkins still supervises the work at this apiary.

The reduction in the charges for wireless telegraph messages, which was announced recently, will take effect as from January Ist next.

It is probable that the Territorial parades, which were suspended when the late strike assumed a serious aspect, will be started again when tlm holidays arc over.

Five hundred and fifty-two passengers arrived in Wellington from England bv the Tainui, of whom 472 travelled third-class. Assisted immigrants totalled 247, among them being 45 farm labourers and 61 domestic servants.

The hon. secretary of the Wellingowing to the s.s. leaving Wellington for Sydney on Saturday, January 3rd, instead of Friday, tho 2nd, tho United Kingdom and Australian mails will close in accordance with the date of departure of tho steamer. The Riverina, which left Sydney for Wellington at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, is bringing English and Australian mails for this city. She is due on Sunday. The Maheno, which left Sydney for Auckland at noon on Wednesday, is bringing English and Australian mails for Auckland only.

A conference of representatives of tho Federated Woollen Mills Employees’ Union will open in the Trades Hall, Wellington, to-morrow morning. The delegates are;—Messrs Murphy and Shaw (Canterbury), Findlatev (Dunedin), Watson (Oamaru), and Walker and Anderson (P'etone). The last section of the new; double tramway track in Upper Willis street has been opened for traffic. It is probable that next year the duplication of tho Brooklyn lino will be completed, as only one section —that between Huaka street and the Nairn street reserve—remains to receive attention.

A concert was held in tiro social hall of the Wellington Working Men’s Ohih on Christinas Eve, there being a large attendance of members and friends. Songs, recitations, and instrumental items made np a- very attractive programme, and all present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Mr C. Hayes presided at the piano. A dangerous act of vandalism was attempted at tbs Empress Theatre on Christmas Eve, when some persons placed the theatre rubbish box in the lavatory, and set lire to the rubbish. As the building is made of concrete, and is consequently fireproof, no structural damage resulted, but there was danger of a panic occurring. The brigade received the call shortly after 9 p.m., and the flames were extinguished promptly.

An estimate has been prepared by the city engineer of the cost of supplying water and drainage for that portion of tho borough of Karori draining towards the Kaiwarra stream, and concerning which provision had been made by Act of Parliament to enable the work to be carried out. The cost for tho water supply is estimated at £10,441, which includes a 900,000 gallon storage reservoir to cost £2500. The cost of tho drainage, is put at £8146 18s 6d.

An exceptionally busy time was spent by the staff of tho General Post Office in the earlier part of tho week, and every effort had to he put forth to cope with the Christmas rush. It is probable that when the returns are made up it will be found that the business done has been well ahead of that reported last year. Some very long hours were worked by telegraphists, sorters, postmen and others, but the accumulation of matter was all cleared away in reasonably good time. The rush, of was quite expect ed, and complete arrangements were made to deal with it, as is done at every approach of Christmas. Crowds of happy, excited children filled the Skating Rink in Vivian street on Wednesday afternoon, to take part in the Christmas treat provided for them by the ox-strikers and their wellwishers. Mr Dowgvay, vice-president of the Federation of Labour, opened the proceedings in a brief speech of welcome to the children. The hall was prettily decorated with flags and festoons of ferns. The Christmas tree occupied a central position with seats all round it, on which tho little- ones sat, and -ate to their heart’s content. Over two thousand children received presents. The music was supplied by the Waterside Workers’ Band.

Mrs R. J. Seddon, who presented a cup for competition among the crow of H.M.S. New Zealand, has just received the following letter from Captain Halsey, written on. November 13th when the warship was at Bermuda:—“Dear Mrs Seddon, —I feel that you would liko to hear that your cup was competed for whilst at Jamaica last week, and, after a splendid race, mas won by the crew formed of tho Royal Marines, who are therefore the holders for the year. I am sure the oup will he tho means of creating a spirit of emulation in the ship and thereby improve tho boalpulling, and on behalf of all on heard I wish to thank you again for your gift.—Believe me, yours sincerely (Signed) L. Halsey, captain.” The Mayor on Wednesday outlined what ho thought might be a policy to commend to the City Council for next year. In the first place, farther office accommodation for the corporation staff must ho provided. That was mrgent, as the present state of affairs •could not bo allowed to continue a 'moment longer than was absolutely necessary. Then there was the completion of the Island Bay culvert, the completion of the Oriental Bay promenade, right round to tho tram terminus, the provision of open sea-water swimming baths at Island Bay, the various tramway works already outlined, with an extensive car-building programme, and also recreation grounds for some of tho outlying districts, such as Wadcstown. Of course, a loan would b© necessary for these and other works of a minor nature. “It is my intention,” said tho Mayor, “if the money market improves after tho Nrw Year, to place before the council a full schedule of works and improvements deemed necessary, in view of the growth of the city, and to ask tho council to sanction an appeal to the ratepayers to authorise a loan covering these works. If, however, the money market remains as it is at present, I shall not fail to advise the council to hold off these works for another year in prospect of some return to the normal, or until such time as tho money market presents a more favourable aspect.” His Excellency the Governor, Lord Liverpool, has been pleased to appoint the D.I.C. suppliers of drapery to the vice-regal household. A proved cure for Dandruff is found in Virginian Hair and Scalp Food. This remedy is recommended by Mrs Rolleston, 256, ’ Lamhton quay, and has become remarkably popular. •