ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3773, 6 July 1926, Page 56

ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

By

PENCARROW.

(Specially Wbitten for the Witness.) % July 1. The weather here, being seasonable, is verv often vile, and influenza is having a really good innings. We have settled down to calling the thing by its proper name—■ ’flu—and are being advised to take the necessary precautions, one of which is to avoid crowded * places of entertainment. Some people take the advice. Others don’t. Business establishments are having rather hectic times, staffs being disorganised. It is difficult to get trained nurses. They have all been busy for several weeks. Very little pneumonia is reported, but the wet changeable weather makes convalescence a somewhat dangerous time. Just a few days ago Mr Jamen Ames, for close on 60 years city valuer and returning officer, left for Sydney, where he had planned to spend the evening of his life. He had remained at his post until just before sailing, being anxious to leave everything in perfect order. The city was absolutely shocked yesterday to hear of his death, which took place eoon after he arrived in Australia. He caught a cold which developed into bronchitis on the voyage. There never was a better officer. Change and decay—it is much in evidence around us, but we progress, too. The grass is growing green round the Mothers* Rest Room in Manners street, which was only completed a few months ago. They tell me the ground was turfed, which accounts for the seeming miracle. In Shanghai and other places which certain lucky travellers have recently visited, whole gardens can be made in one nightblossoming trees and flowering shrubs included. We don’t do things on those lines here, labour being a trifle more expensive. Still, we begin to make roads, and sometimes get them finished. We have long hoped for an ocean drive which would link up Lyall Bay with Seatoun, via the coast. It is so far on the road to completion that the Mayor bumped round in a car one day ..recently. This scribe was out by Lyall Bay on Monday, when the sun was making things very merry and bright, and the South Island looked as if it could be reached in a rowing boat with very little effort. There was almost no snow on the Kaikouras, nor has there been any on the ranges to the north of the Hutt Valley for several weeks. The Tarama Tramping Club issues a warning to inexperienced people, who are advised to take no risks alone on the track at this season of the year. The Hill street tram—or the proposed tram—still provides matter for conversation. It is reported that members of Parliament, or some of them, are much agitated. They foresee a time when the peace and quietness of the General Assembly Library may be disturbed. The public had not previously realised that politicians appreciate peace. We hope that Dunedin realises that Wellington is to have an elephant. We have thrown out hints about it for ages, and a very great man in India has at last kindly responded. The creature is a gift, and is to be shipped at our expense, and accomodated at the Zoo, which, unfortunately, is already a trifle overcrowded, though the tigress recently decided to make room for others by quietly passing away. Other immigrants declare Wellington is too cold —one who recently arrived from the north of Scotland declares he needs more blankets on his bed here. The exiled Cossacks who have been delighting the community with voices which make one dream of the. heavenly choir, do not seem to regard this climate as rigorous. That Don Cossack Choir is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened in Wellington. The tunnel from the West Coast which will consider themaffair—it can be used. Otherwise this scribe would suggest that walking across to Christchurch would be quite worth whiles. But, of course; there are places on the West Coast which will consider themselves big enough to be visited by these marvellous people who, in spite of influenza, ore drawing great crowds at every performance. The fares of taxi cabs have been reduced very wonderfully here during the last few months by the enterprise of a company calling itself the Black and White Cabs (Ltd). The inevitable competition has now commenced, and all taxis are within the means of ordinary human beings. Formerly it seemed as if we were buying a share in each car we entered. Prices were exorbitant. Those who stand up against influenza will probably contemplate a day tham next week when the Wellington Winter race meeting comes off. In town there will be gay doings, including an investiture and reception at Government House and a small dance, not to mention the Race Ball in the Town Hall. By the way, the Red Cross Ball in the Town Hall last week was not os well patronised as it might have been. His Excellency the Governor-General attended with a large party from Government House. The Lady Alice Fergusson was unable to be there. A number of invalid soldiers from the Red Cross Hospital were at the ball, and his Excellency spent part of the evening with them, to their very evident delight. Mr A. F. Nicholl. director of the Canter, bury College School of Art, is holding an exhibition at the Art Gallery this week. It is attracting ft great many people, many

of whom are particularly interested in the portrait of Lady Stout, which is a present to her from the women of Wellington.