WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13180, 13 January 1905, Page 5

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES.

(Fhom . Oua Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, January 12. A very peculiar accident befel a seafaring man named James Flowers last night. He was found in his fooin shortly before 10. o'elook, bleeding freely, and explained that ho had been injured by sitting on a razor. Ilia story is that lie loft the razor open ott tho bed''after ho had' eliavod himself during tho'day, and, forgetting the fact, sat on the' razor at night when going to bed. Ho received' a severe injury, and had to bo taken to" tho hospital. Captain A; Kennedy 'and Mrs Kennedy, parents of Mr W. A. Kennedy, manager for the Union Company in Wellington, celebrated their goldtn wedding yesterday. They were married at St. Peter's Church, Wellington, on tho lltli January, 1855. lioth aro still ill excellent health. Tho Very Rev. Dean Foley, of Canterbury, arrived from the south by the Rotomahana this morning, and went on by train en route for Rotorua. He has been suffering severely from sciatica for the past six months, and is forced to use crutches. Mr 11. 1). Bell, the well-known barrister, who lias been on a trip to tho Old Country, is expected to arrivo in Wellington early next month. Ho left Genoa on iho 27th Dccomber.

Mrs W. 11. Williams, who recently erected tlio handsome building in Wellington for tho Missions to' Seamen, has been presented with a Now Year's gife in appreciation of Jior kindly interest in tlio seamen of the world. The presentation was mado at the Missions to Seamen by the committee, missioner, helpers, and seamen in port-. The souvenir took iho shapo of an album conlaining views of different places Where the mission had lieen conducted before it entered 1 tho new buildings, and an address illuminated by Mr Bock. A valuable corner block of land situated at tho intersection of Taranaki street and Courtenay place was oHerfrd this afternoon at auction by Messrs M'Donald, Wilson, and Co. The block lias a fronlage of 85ft sin to Taranaki street and 30ft sin to Courtenay place. • Bidding commenced at £1000, and' advanced briskly to £3000. at which figure the property was knocked down to Messrs Whitworth Bros., butchers.-. Mr Henry Gullett, the well-known Australian journalist, who is on a holiday tour of Now Zealand, has given the l'ost soirio impressions of his travel. He began with Auckland, where lie arrived from Sydney sorno days ago. " Auckland has taken tho fullest advantages Of its beautiful situation and its fine harbour. Its progress lias been wonderful both in its shipping and its civic activity." From Auckland Mr Gullett came south overland, and Kotorua naturally impressed him, not only on account of its new natural wonders, but also by its progress in tho amenities of civilisation. ''The last time I was there it was crmfc, Tho tourist had to endure very inferior accommodation and tho most mediocro travelling facilities. Now Rotorua is a flourishing town, practically all new, and the facilities afforded to tho tourists for getting about are as excellent as Llir. accommodation. Waimangu was dormant unfortunatelv. but it did not require Waimangu to make a Rotorua as interesting as any tourist could wish.'' It was oh the trip south from Rotorua, via Taupo mid Waiouru, to Piniriki, that Mr Gullett experienced some of the sensations of tho baokbloeker. who deputationises the Minister of Public Works when that potentate braves the perils "of waybaek" travelling. Tho scenery on the coach route from Waiouru to Piniriki was of- tho most majestic character—magnificent hushclad gorges, wild' rivers, and frowning mountains. "It was New Zealand at its best," said Mr Gullett, "but I had little time to admire it. My whole mind was concentrated on the road, end this was an unsncakablo procession of perils. Tho liolc-s, tho crevasses, iir.tr the puddles were horrifying—in . fact, tlio trip was ft ot iiorvow escapc-aj f-litl when you aro dodging tlvc grave every yard you .feel inclined to ask, 'Is the scenery worth tlio prioo?' Of oourso. the tourist who risks his nnck can hardly complain, secin" that the couch proprietors aro prepared" to risk tho necks of their horses. I si>mU merelv as .1 tourist, but I speak \cr.v frtilinffly." Mr Gullet continued : but i n-ivo Iho Government cverr credit for its 'enterprise in catering for the tourist. _ flic lodging-houses are, on Ihe whole, admirably managed, and tlio facilities for making the trip aro very good."