WELLINGTON NOTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16466, 19 June 1919, Page 2

WELLINGTON NOTES.

MINISTER OF LANDS. HIS DOMINION TOUR. BV TBcBGEaPH. OWN COBBBSPONDENI. WELLINGTON, June 18. When the Hon. D. H. Guthrie took up the portfolio of Lands 15 months ago he announced his intention of making a systematic tour of all parts of New Zealand for the purpose of getting a grip of the requirements of the country' from the land administration, point of view. The task has proved a big one, especially as the Minister was last year detained in Wellington for several months as Acting-Minister in Charge of Imperial Supplies. Now, however, his intention is almost fulfilled, for the West Coast tour which the Minister will commence on Friday will practically complete his survey of the lands of the Dominion. His acquaintance with the requirements or settlers and the land conditions should enable him to produce a useful Land. Bill next session. TARANAKI ROADS. (The reputation of the roads of the Taranaki Province, together with representations made to the Wellington. City Council at various times that tar surface roads should bo substituted for some of the thoroughfares of the city, have resulted in the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), Councillor L. M'Kenzie, Mr. Paterson (Assistant City Engineer), and Mr. Drake (Motor Inspector) visiting Taranaki to secure .first hand information. Mr. Luke has returned to Wellington, but the other members of the party are making a more general inspection. Speaking on the matter to-day Mr. Luke said that opinions differed as to the desirability, of using tar preparations for general road purposes, and as to their wearing properties, but from what he had seen in and around Hawera on his present trip the experiment there seemed to have been successful. Both tar macadam and a special tar composition were being used in Taranaki, the latter in particular being claimed as a success on account of its great resilience, the fact that it did not become brittle, was impervious to cold and heat, and did not become slippery when wet. The party examined a portion of a road composed of this tar composition that had been, down two and a-half years, and which when cut, said Mr. Luke, had the appearance of just having been laid. From what he saw Mr. Luke was sure the roads were wearing very well. It was claimed the roads in question would take any traffic or weight, but personally, as a layman, he did not agree with this statement. ‘T have a great opinion of the material, however, and feel that it might be adopted with success on some of our own roads other than thoroughfares that have extremely heavy use. If Mr. Paterson reports favourably I hope the council will agree to put down a sample of the material: but I do not think the council would be justified in borrowing money to put down a largo section of tar macadam. City loan money should be expended on more permanent construction, like wood-blocking or concrete. The CityEngineer (Air. AV. H. 'Morton), however, is making special inquiries into this subject during his visit to America and England, and no doubt will be able to give the council very valuable advice in regard to heavy traffic roads.”

WAITING FOR PRICES TO DROP,

Many a piece of repair or improvement work lias been held over during the past three years “till the war is over’’ in anticipation of a drop in warl inflated prices. The war is virtually 'over now, bat those who have delayed repair and other work must apparently stni wait for a commencement of the general drop in prices in mSny lines. A reporter who made some inquiries to-day regarding the rumoured sudden increase in the demand for services of painters following the easing np of the prices of materials was told that the trade was certainly busy, hut such had been the case, with occasional fluctuations, right through the war. The demand for the painting of new premises had slackened on account of the falling off Tn. building, but the demand for repair work had been steady. Painters had worked under considerable difficulties at times as supplies were difficult to obtain, hut, now that the embargo on certain articles had been lifted, supplies were coming to hand more readily, but with the_ exception of leads prices were showing rut signs of dropping. Linseed oil had increased considerably during the past week, the New Zealand price nowstanding at about 8s 6d plus the charge for the drum, and several classes of paints and varnishes _ had _ recently, hardened considerably in price. DEMAND FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

On his return to Wellington -to-day the Hon. J. A. Han an, Minister of Education, said one of the things which was most marked throughout the country was the demand being made for additions to existing high schools or the establishment of new high schools to meet the requirements of children desirous of having secondary education. In this connection the Minister mentioned that he had received representations during his visit to the South Island from Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Dunedin, Gore, and Invercargill- '

To-morrow night the East End Bathing Reserve Social Committee are holding a big long-night dance in the pavilion, proceeds to be on behalf of the Elliot widow and children fund. Tlio committee have everything well in hand, tbo floor is receiving speciiil attention, while the eommitteehas also been promised, a. number of dishes for simper extra to those supplied by the ladies' committee. The music, as usual, is being supplied by Mrs. and Mr. R. George. Judging by the tickets sold the "committee may expect a large gathering. Cards will be supplied by non-dancers in the supper loom. Everything possible will be a on© by th© coin-* mittoo on Friday night towards this deserving case. Next door to Everybody's Picture Palace von will find the most progressive shoe store in Taranaki. Never before, has The Regal done so much business, and why? Because they sell only the best quality footwear at very reasonable prices. “The proof of the pudding is m the eating,” so give us a trial.— Regal Shoo Store." President Wilson has evidently been) reading about Taranaki women. lifting the world into higher ideals by means of “Golden Ride” Soap, “Golden Rule” Candles, “Golden Rule ’ Writing Tablets, “Golden Rule” School Rulers, “Thinker’s” Pictorial Penny Notebooks and the famous “No Rubbing” Laundry, Holy.