WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8249, 23 February 1905, Page 3

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

[From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, February 23. '■ine hurry and hustle of the tramway traffic, as at present controlled, is so " ge^ing on we nerves" of the travelling public, other than athletes* (says the "Post"), that many people are now coming to regard a tram journey, with its hustling aud bumping accompaniments, as an unpleasant necessity, when it might be made an agreeable rest. The accelerated speed is said to be necessary because of the shortage of cars, but it is a question whether the public would not be better satisfied for the time being with a more limited service and less discomfort. At present minor hurts are common, the strain on the staff is excessive, and the rolling stock "must be subject to extraordinary wear and tear. What the concern most needs just now is a skilled traffic manager, who should be allowed full control. The rowing clubs in the colony feel that the duty on imported oars and sculls is far too high. The locally made articlea, it is contended, do not compare favourably with those manufactured at home, and the clubs think that the Government ought to encourage the pastime by allowing the oars and sculls to come in either duty free or loaded only with a nominal duty. The New Zealand Rowing Association has appointed a deputation to interview the Minister of Customs on the subject. The first Christchurch. "express will, on and after March 1, leave at 8 a.m., reaching Dunedin at 5.13 p.m. and Invercargill at 11 p.m. The second express will leave at 11.55 a.m., and run only as far as Dunedin, arriving at 9.15 p.m.