WELLINGTON NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14457, 25 February 1909, Page 8

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, February 24. Mr J. K Hyrer (of Hanover), who is hero just now yetting material for lectures oil New Zealand, suggests that llio Dominion .should open a tourist bureau in Hamburg. The Germans, be says, are .great traveJlevs, and' many wealthy" people from that country might be induced to visit New Zealand.

The new Minister of Labour, who lias recently boon saying some extraordinary things abmt ;:. Stato note issue awl Government ".greenbacks," is now addressing himself to the immigration peslioa. lie blames shipping agents, who are working on «t coiroiiission, for sending emigrants of the tradesman class out to Now Zealand. Within the. last month or two, he says, tho arrivals included a number of plasterers, carpenters, builders, labourers, plumbers grocers' assistants, patternmakers, engine-drivers, tram-con-ductors, cabinetmakers, and tailors—hi fcni, representatives of many trades that arc practically overcrowded in tho Dominion. Very few of the mtniucrs were farmers. Tlio Labour Department is greatly inconvenienced by these arrivals, >ecauso even if there was work for men

. : .a these trades married local applicants must get the preference. Dr. Knight and Mr J. Joseph, directors in tho company of John M'Lean and Sons (Ltd.), havo just returned from a visit

<-'« llio Arthur's Pass tunnel. Tliey state U(at llio new installation of electric plant is working very satisfactorily. The drive is now 30 chains in, and the work of ■Riidcmiig out lias been commenced. The etieam plant formerly used for motive power now provides hot baths for tho men, •who aro supplied with bathrooms, and also a big room in wiliieh lo day their clothes, Living huts (about 12 x 14) arc provided lor each two men, and Dr Knight savs they are in superior quarters to those of tlio Pu'blio Works Department's men ktween Broken River and the Cass. The tunnel sanitary arrangements include a complete water supply and septic tanks, Mst Gavin, the company's newly-appointed engiueci--in-ohief, has taken up iris quarters at the works.

Quite, a number of New Zealanders are leaving for Knglaiul and the Continent this week. Among them are Mrs Robert Gillies (who Irral 'for many years in Duncdin) and her daughter. ■ They will be accompanied by Miss Williamson, of Auckland. Others'who contemplate, a visit to the Old World are Mr H. D. Bell, K.C., ■Air Wilfred Jsalhbono (editor of the New Zealand Graphic), and Dr Arnold Izard (Wellington!. Amongst recent arrivals here are Mr and ill's Qloiiston. .Mr Clouston is a- wellknown English artist and engraver. Mrs Clouston has brought with her some pictures by artist friends, including one by frith (the painter of " Derby Day "). She herself was the mcdel for fome of these work's of art. A printing and an enwhich I saw to-day by .Mr Clouston shows that he is an artist of great talent. Things are very bad in regard to picture sales in Kuglatid just now, and Mr Clutisioti may stay some time- in New Zealand. IL' 's already engaged upon a portrait of Mr WardeH, l!io'prcsitkiit of the local Art Society.

Ada. Ciws'ey ami her concert company left for the tinith by 10-niiilit's stemier. Mr and Airs Harold ]ieain:liam|> to-day jsive An "at hiiine"' for Madame Cros-Jey iiw-t l)v Miieiko. Lev husband. M. 1,. >S:.inieliii.i, I he. violin:;!, and Mr I'erey Grain-er, t)h> pianist, wre amongst tho quests. The former is a Dutchman. Xiuugh quite a young maji ho s}x<«iks English au<l four or live oilier languages lluently. and he can charm J small audience with Ills conversation as lie can a, large one with his violin, which, by tilio iv.iv, is a French instrument. -ilr and Mrs I\. !•.'. X. Twopeny leave for England tomorrow iti tho lonic. I'rafcssor (iilrat.lt is already attracting students from 'New Zcakuul. Mr 11. 11. Seddon, of the local Pathological Laboratory, leaves for Mc.lbour.no <m Friday to take tip ft'itdtes in v<-U-rinary science., pathology, etc., under him.