WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7637, 21 February 1903, Page 4

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

__ — » — — PThOJI OUB. COBRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Feb. 21. Two of our city hotels are under the ban of condemnation. A letter was read froaj Dr Valentine, Distriot Health Officer, at a meeting of the City CoUnoil, on Thursday evening, condemning the Western Hotel, in Willis Street, and the New Zealandex Hotel, in Manners Street. On the motion of the Mayor, it was decided that effect should bo given to the report. The Western Hotel is owned !>y Mr Hamiltpn Gilmer, and the present -licensee is Mr J. H. Pagni, treasurer of the Wellington Rugby Union/ The New Zealander Hotel form* part of the Sullivan Estate, and is leased to Mr J. Price. The action of the Oounoi] means that a notice ordering demolition oi the buildiings will be served upon the own : era of the property. 'Ihe powers of the City Council in. mutters of this kind on absolute in tho terms of the Municipal Corporations Act of 1900, There is another hotel in- the -city, Barrett's, owned by Mi J. Plimmer, tho "Father of Wellington,' which is also Under sentence of condemnation. 'A start was mado this Week to- demolish the presenb structure, as the ownei intends to rebuild. The owners of th< Westei'n and New Zealnhder hotels will b« allowed a certain time within whioh t\> sub mit plans for new buildings, should tbej determine to rebuild, and, failing cbtopli; ance with this oondition, other aetion wili be taken. These two buildings' Were amonj those whioh had previously bßGti reported on adversely fey the police and by thft Oitj Engineer, and no action followed; by th< Licensing Committee. No surprise is manifested at the action of the Health Depart mettt. It -may be stated', however, that li hart been/ the intention' of the oWnefs tc build new premises, and the City Council wus quite cognisant of this fact. Its decision is consequently viewed in some fluarters as amounting to nothing more than, a desire to show its authority. It is expected that the compulsory retirement of Civil Servants over tt certain ngo will affocb nearly 150 members of th< service, thefie being largely drawn from the clerical staffs of the Various departments. There in A likelihood of one Very populai private secretary to the Premier obtaining an Under-Seeretaryship, should the gentlematt' who now holds that position: be retiree on a peiifeion, while another member of Mj Beddon's secretarial staff has an excelled chance of obtaining a- responsible poet it the service. Both Well merit the promoti°n - Mr La MOnte, tin American Socialist) who hits been residing here for Born* months, has been selected c«S Organising .Secretary of the Socialist Party, which intends to prosecute a vigorous campaign ab the city municipal elections in April next. Its candidates for the City Council, so far as decided upon, are Messrs M'Lttren, a sitting member, aiid one of the candidates for the city at the last general election, and Mr W. H! Hampton, who is a promittetit mover in labour "matters. It is oMoially announced that there is absolufcely HO fotindfttion for the furilbur Which has been circllTated that Cfaptoin Seddon Will succeed Major Reid as adjutant of the Auckland district. It \p not. intended to appflinb anyone to take Majo? Reid's place.