ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 34

ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

By

Pencarbow.

(Specially Written for the Witness.) July 8. Dunedin has been specially favoured in the Birthday honours list this But, then, Dunedin has had an Exhibition. Wellington is talking about holding an exhibition in about ten years’ time, and already some of our ambitious citizens are taking lessons in the gentle art of running things. They can well learn something from Dunedin about sinking parochial differences and getting whole-heartedly into the job. Two of Dunedin’s honoured citizens sit nightly in our parliamentary Chambers. No man will wear his knightly honour with n re dignity and distinction than Sir Charles Statham, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Lady Statham, a gracious hostess, shares his great popularity here. When the hands of the >ck steal round to 9.30 each evening, no matter how grave the discussion, how weighty the problem, Mr Speaker rises with the formal apology: “I am sory to interrupt cue member, but the hour has now arrived for the adjournment. I will resume the chair at 10 o’clock. ' In other words, “Supper is served.”

While the supper-room is crowded with the friends, relatives, and supporters of the members, Bellamy’s assuages many a thirst, and little trays are hurried into cosy Cabinet sitting rooms. Sir Charles and Lady Statham, who live on the premises, as all Speakers must, bid to their fireside across the aisle a group—members, visitor officials, friends. That pleasanj half hour, that privileged interfuse, is one of the joys of the session. Mr Harold L. Tapley, C.M.G., Mayor of Dunedin, whose imposing presence now adorns the House of Parliament, will wear his alphabetical decoration at the end of his name. . , _ , Mr L. B. Beale, his Majesty s Trade Commissioner, who has recently arrived irom Canada, is busily suggesting ways for “taking up the slack” in our export trade. Mr Beale’s experience in Canada and other countries soon made him realise how thrice blest this country is in fertility, climate, and environment. He is almost inclined to declare that so readily does our soil yield harvest and pastures, that the really hard work of farming, as known in less favoured lands, is unknown here. He is urging the inclusion of some profitable sidelines, such as pig-raising, in conjunction with dairying. There is a large Brtish market for the breakfast rasher, which is almost entirely held by America, Denmark, and Ireland. _. , Maggie Papakura (now Mrs btaples brown), at one time the most famous guide at Rotorua, sailed by the Arawa on Tuesday for England. Mrs Staples Brown has for some years made her home near Oxford, England. A desire to see her native land brought her to New Zealand some months ago. Maggie has had a happy time at Rotorua among her old friends and the bubbling pools she knew so well. Two New Zealand boys who were studyin- architecture decided to try their luck abroad. Having no money did not deter them. Each bought a pair of overalls, and signed on as a greaser on the Karamea That was in 1923. Now one of these two, Mr A. D. Connell, of Eltham, haa been awarded the Prix de Rome, or the Rome Scholatship A Architecture, which is the blue ribbon of the architectural world. His companion, Mr Basil Ward, of Wellington, was runner-up. The former will receive £250 for three years to enable him to continue his studies in Rome, and the latter will get the same amount for two vears. Perhaps when next we call for competitive designs from abroad for the erection of some new splendid building our own boys may win it. ... Wellington is really just beginning to discover the beauty of Wellington. The Automobile Association is anxiously scanning the horizon for parking places and camping sites among the verdant valleys and mountain tops. Few cities have such wealth of natural beauty and scenic charm within a radius of 25 miles ns this Capital City of ours. But the problem is to open up suitable motor roads and find level patches for the parking of the Sunday motor fleet. If New Zealand is really awakening to the beauty around it, perhaps it will take some definite action towards checking the growth of disfiguring advertisements which seem to follow in the wake of the motorist wherever he goes, urging rival brands of petrol and tyres and the choioest kinds of human lubricant.

With the closing of the Dunedin Exhibition began the invasion of the city by popular side shows. The roll-downs were becoming deeply entrenched about Lambton quay and the other city streets, much to the anxiety of legitimate traders. Whatever might be said for these as a carnival attraction, serious objection was nieed to them M every day tenders. The

law moved. Now a heap of bankrupt stock, large boxes of chocolates with pictures reminiscent of Dunedin, are on straight-out sale. We live and learn.

It would appear as though the possibility of having women J.P.’s appointed ia getting nearer. Parliament is discussing some amendments to the present legialac tion, and a clause which states that women will not be debarred through sax or marriage from occupying the position is to be inserted. The Labour Party was strongly in favour of the inclusion of women among our minor justices. People wb~ make rude remarks about Wellington’s climate really should have come here for the Winter races. A day of bright sunshine, clear, calm, and invigorating, was just the incentive required for airing the newest thng in advance spring fashions. There is no drastic change, but the evil effects of tight-fitting felt hats have apparently been realised by those who dictate what women shall wear, and fine straws, of open weave, will vie with ribbon models for first place when the primroses begin to bloom. The Wellington Y.M.C.A. has crowned its past with another story—that is, structurally speaking. The additional floor will accommodate 31 persons, and assist in meeting the demand for housing our youths. There is no more popular member in the House of Representatives than Mr T. K. Sidey, who comes from Dunedin. But it was not sympathy with his persistent advocacy of daylight saving, nor personal affection, that inspired the vote which carried this hardy annual through its second reading with an almost two-to-one majority. One by one he has made converts to this commonsense cause. When he first introduced the Bill 18 years ago, it was regarded as a joke. Some people still derive amusement from the idea of getting up an hour earlier. But the wartime emergency in England and Europe, which brought daylight saving into being, has proved it so advantageous that Great Britain has now made it permanent. If the Summer Time Bill goes all the way, and becomes law, Mr Sidey will have achieved a personal triumph, and New Zealand will have adopted a sound, sane policy.