ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3898, 27 November 1928, Page 32

ROUND ABOUT WELLINGTON.

Bv

Pencarrow.

(Special for the Otago Witness.) November 21. Strangers invariably notice the new buildings which have made their appearance in Wellington terrace, above Lambton quay. They are an ornament to the city, and some are very imposing. I was in the Kelvin Chambers the other day. Lifts serve the seven floors. Tnough only recently completed, the place is already more than half full. The tenants are doctors, dentists, various kinds of specialists, and people of that ilk. One goes for complete repairs, inside and out. It is a convenient place, and its windows command a wide and beautiful view. On top of the building is what looks like a cottage, presumably the caretaker’s.

There are blocks of flats in that part of the terrace, some already completed and long since occupied, and one block of the Mayfair Flats is just approaching completion. Gradually the people of the Thorndon end of Wellington are moving themselves into flats—self-con-tained or otherwise. Curiously, there is not yet established a block of selfcontained flats with a service restaurant attached. According to many “ flat livers ” this is a crying need, supplied in the cities of older countries. The much-discussed Bowen street comes up past Parliament Buildings to the north and lower end of the Terrace. At Quinton’s corner, which is the junction of Lambton quay and Bowen street, there are old wooden buildings, soon to be demolished. The large triangular space so cleared will be ready by next Anzac Day, when it is hoped to lay the foundation stone of the Citizens’ Silent Memorial to our heroic dead. A new road will be opened along one side of this triangle, thus relieving traffic, which at Quinton’s corner is very busy. This reminds me that the experiment with coloured lights at Courtenay place and Kent terrace does not meet with the approval of all passers-by. They prefer the policeman on his duckboard. He seems more human and understanding.

M e have had some fine weather here —it seems worth mentioning. I was down on Lambton station in the late afternoon one day this week. There were three trains going north, one quickly following the other. The Lower Hutt train and the Upper Hutt train are old familiar friends, but the red train between the two was not known to me. I discovered that it goes to Waterloo, a station on the new line which brandies off at Petone and cuts aeros the flat lands and away to the hills in the east. Here dwell people who have moved from the city to open spaces—chiefly workers with their families—railway people and others. That district is almost unrecognisable. There are roads and ramps in every direction. Flowers at the Hutt aire easily grown, and each little cottage garden is very gay just now. The bigger gardens round the old-established homes are full of roses, climbing over verandas, pillars, arches, and pergolas—standard roses springing from the green turf—rose bushes in every garden bed. The place is sweet with the scent of them, and the Hutt appears a very desirable place of residence just now. The new bridge—just below the old one—is completed, though not yet ready for traffic. The Riddiford Baths, close to the Post Office and inside the beautiful reserve secured for the people by the forethought of the present Mayor and other councillors, will soon be swarming with happy children, who are all swimmers. There is gorse on the rough hillsides to the east, and broom on the western hills, which are so quickly being built over. That Hutt Valley is a beautiful place, and the high ranges at the head of it were still snowsprinkled less than a week ago.

Students are still recovering from the examinations which were held in the Winter Show Buildings, as related last week. Correspondents continue to write to the papers, enquiring what compensation is to be given to those who suffered from the extremely unpleasant conditions. It is difficult to see what compensation can be given. Nervous students worked in a huge room, the roof of which leaked. They were cold and “rattled,” and it is agreed that they had very hard luck, which could have been avoided. But how is it to be remedied now?

This community, bled dry. is endeavouring to scratch up its last few thousands for the National Museum and Art Gallery. Efforts of all kinds are being made, and those who make them look hopefully towards the people who invariably encourage all movements pro bono publico. But these same people have already contributed most generously. They cannot go on for ever—carnivals, and pageants, and dreams of fair women, processions, concerts, plays, and halls all need paying for. and there is a strong feeling that it is the other fellow’s turn now.

There is a pause—by no means hushed —after the elections. “He dunno where he are ” can be said of more than a few candidates, including Sir John Luke, who for several Parliaments has represented Wellington North. At present he appears to be in, so his swan song on election night was probably an unnecessary effort, quite dignified, with a tune by no means as plaintive as circumstances seemed to warrant. * * » The tourist season has begun. Distinguished people and others are visiting our shores from overseas. Some have described New Zealand as a country which should be “ the playground of the world.” Japan, charmed with the hospitality extended to her sailor men not so very long ago, now sends a flag through rotary. I am waiting for the inevitable label “ gesture,” which enenthusiasts must bestow. Even the milkman mentions “ gesture ” when speaking of possible negotiations between political parties. * * * This week in Wellington there has been a meeting between two famous Polar explorers, Sir Douglas Mawson and Commander R. E. Byrd. Sir Douglas Mawson, interviewed by reporters of the daily papers, touched very briefly on that scheme for developing the West Coast Sounds, a project in which the general public appears to be mildly interested. * * * In a letter, written by a friend, I heard this week of the measles and influenza epidemic in Papeete, and the regulations which prevented residents proceeding to Rarotonga from that place, though through passengers on the mailboat were not restricted. The epidemic is quite serious, and has disorganised many plans, and caused more than a little suffering. Always anxious to locate names mentioned, I hastened to consult a map, and could not find Papeete, but soldiers in France during the war could not find New Zealand when they wished to show its exact position to sympathetic lady friends. Enough that both are in the Pacific!