ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3804, 8 February 1927, Page 34

ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

By Pencarbow. (Spbcially Written for the Witness.) February 3. We have had a heat wave, and though we did not like it- we are really rather proud, for Wellington achieved the distinction of having the highest temperature in New Zealand. The absence of wind made the heat very trying to many people. Not only the butter suffered. During the acute stage the atmosphere was very muggy and oppressive, with a hint of thunder which did not arrive. Nerves became a little frayed, especially in .offices and houses where the inmates “lay down to it,” so to speak. When things were at their worst the piano tuner made one of his periodical attacks upon the establishment. One is sorry for him, but he could make things much easier for himself by taking off his coat to the job—as is done by the best doctors in critical moments. But tuners, I fancy, are more refined. Their coats don’t come off, and the way in which they harp on one string is exasperating. In desperation this scribe fled to the beach, which was overcrowded. Still, the sea was wet. Residents at the bays are pleased to go shares in the ocean, but they are not too keen on week-end visitors who require fresh water. Tanks arc dry. Even suburbs which have a reservoir supply are not too sure of themselves yet, though the pressure in the city has been well maintained. In fact, it has made its presence felt under the G.P.O. parcels department, ■where the asphalt flooring came up in blisters last week. (To get into the basement where they handle parcels one takes a dive down several steps. It is a fascinating place at Christmas time.) Experts probed about, and discovered a leak in a six-inch main. This they hurriedly mended. Welcome rain eventually brought relief from the heat, which is still quite unusual for Wellington, but pleasant. There is a ’ good deal of camping out at the bays—lads and lassies coming in and out of town, and spending their leisure hours by the sea or in the bush. It is quite fashionable to get a bathe in the lunch hour just now, and to-day passersby observed bathing suits hanging out to dry in the windows of a Government office. A sign of the times. The energy of some people is amazing. During the worst part of the heat wave members of the Tararua Tramping Club crossed from Otaki to Upper Hutt. They report that the ranges are very beautiful just now—alpine flowers abundant and plenty of berries in the bush. Wellington applauds the efforts of the three Dunedin medical students who have just completed a circuit of the North Island, covering 1200 miles in six weeks. Walking is no more a lost art than is conversation. There will always be devotees. Some men say, too, that while there are women there will always be talk, but I have my doubts, knowing that in mixed company ■women often find difficulty in getting a word in edgeways. It will be interesting to see what happens at the Medical Congress, at which several lady doctors will be present. But it is Wellington we are talking about. Contrary to expectations few sharks have been seen by bathers. Up Gisborne way recently a gay young thing, taking a header through an incoming wave, met a shark on the other side in shallow water. History docs not relate what happened to the shark. The bather lives to tell the tale. The Medical Conference will be able to explain that modern gay young things will suffer no complex in later life, their nerves being well under control and their sensible minds filled with much more interesting things than sharks. This scribe knows a person who had an encounter •with a bull 30 years ago—and still dreams at times about his hot breath. “Katja” has been running at the Opera House. In season and out young and old hum the refrain: With, your L-a.nder Your old goosey ga/ider Afar we will wander By lander By sea. It is a haunting tune. Coming out of the Opera House one night this week I was much struck by the vivid colour of the lawn surrounding the rest room opposite. In the artificial light it was emerald green—an oasis in a city which is rather drab and dusty just now. The lawns sloping down from Parliament House are quite dry and yellow, though the sprays are in - constant use. The beds of antirrhinums are gay and brilliant. Talking of colour reminds me that the City Council is about to brighten up the

place by putting a coat of gay colour ou the long lines of poles which are the inevitable accompaniment of electric power. We progress. Mr James Dolan, superintendent of the Newcastle Ambulance Transport Service, says our Muncipal Mily Supply is the finest thing he has seen anywhere in the world. This sound and sensible man came over by special invitation to tell us how to run an ambulance service. His advice will be taken. We are soon to have a free ambulance service. The heat wave prevents my enquiring fully into the matter, but I rather fancy the general public subscribes pennies, and gets picked up gratis when knocked down, which is rather often. Some time ago Sir Harold Beauchamp presented to the Art Gallery a very fine property in Fitzherbert terrace with instructions to put it up for sale. The Railway Department has bought it for £6OOO odd. (It is far too hot to keep figures in one's head.) The place is to be converted into a hostel for the use of cadets who come from all parts of New Zealand to the railway workshops, etc. These boys will find themselves in very pleasant quarters. The house is one of three which for many years housed the pupils and staff of Marsden School — now moved to Karori. A pleasant garden surrounds the house, which stands a little way back from Fitzherbert terrace, a wide and quiet street with a row of trees down the middle and old established homes on either side. These trees, much prized by those who dwell in the neighbourhood, are a bone of contention. There are some who desire to cut them down and convert the land into tennis courts pro bono publico. Since the Tennis Association made its courts at Miramar there has been less talk about the lack of opportunity from which our growing boys and girls have suffered. Things are improving fast. Our Karitane Home approaches completion. Twenty thousand pounds must still be yaised if it is to be opened free of debt by the Duchess of York. Two thousand ladies will be asked to sell 200,000 flags at 2s 6d each during the third week in this month, and if their efforts are successful Sir Truby King's great hope will be realised, and the city itself will be saved much effort in preparing decorations for the Royal visit. There is a strong belief, expressed quite openly in many places, that the community’s intense sympathy for. Sir Truby King, whose sad bereavement is so recent, will be the means of raising the required money with very little effort. The sale of flags will be well organised, and every part of the city will be touched. We are not an ungrateful people, and we do not forget what Sir Truby King and his family have done for the women and children of New Zealand.