FLASHES FROM WELLINGTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17995, 4 November 1926, Page 5

FLASHES FROM WELLINGTON.

(Special to the “Star.”') WELLINGTON, November 4. Juries and Damages. An anecdote concerning juries was related by Mr Justice Alpers yesterday. His Honor recalled a case in which he had been engaged where counsel for plaintiff had strenuously argued that the case should be heard before a jury. When the jury retired he (the Judge) made a note of the amount of damages he would have awarded and was very surprised when the jury awarded exactly lialf this amount. “Juries are not always what they are hoped to be,” commented his Honor. A Housing Scheme. At the invitation of the Lower Ilutt housing committee, the administrative officers of several State Departments concerned with carrying out a development scheme for Eastern Hutt paid a visit to the Mandel block yesterday. Here building is going ahead at a pace far ahead of anything in the other suburbs of Greater Wellington. Homes, each of five rooms, some in wood and some concrete, are in various stages of construction. In 46 cases they are finished with household furniture and youngsters in them. No house is costing more than £9OO, land included. Fifty concrete houses are now being started.

A “ Post ” reporter was told that these are beating wooden houses in price.

The number of cottages finished and allotted is 46. Sixteen are nearly finished and 25 more are under construction, while contracts have been let for 58 more, and the committee has authority to go ahead to a total of 250. The first people to whom cottages were allotted consisted of 28 families, consisting of 164 persons, of whom 108 were children. Under the old conditions they occupied 86 rooms, including kitchens, and either shared conveniences or were without proper services. Under the new conditions* they occupy 140 rooms. The saving in rent is 7s per family per week, with vastly better living conditions. Had No Ticket. “ I bought a ticket but I must have lost it.” Such was the explanation given in Court by Charles Parker, aged 45, who travelled by train from Otaki to Thorndon without paying his fare. A senior-sergeant of police said that Parker was drunk when he arrived, and he was arrested. The Magistrate convicted and discharged accused for drunkenness. For not paying his fare, he was fined £1 and costs and ordered to pay the fare, 5s 7d. Native Grievances. Although no announcement has been made, it is understood that the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into native grievances arising out of the Maori wars will commence its sittings some time in January. The Railwayman. Negotiations were again in progress yesterday in connection with the claims of the E.Fy and C.A. A conference was held ift the morning between the Grand Council of the Association and the Acting-Minister of Railways and the Railway Board. It is understood that an offer made by the board was declined by the men’s representatives. A second conference was held in the evening, the result being an adjournment until Saturday to enable the council to consider further proposals. Publicity Needed. “ I discovered that in Australia, New Zealand is looked upon as a far-away place,” remarked Mr S. Pearson, of Wellington, who has just returned. He stresses the need of a central publicity office and prominent newspaper advertisement of the attractions of the Dominion. In the Melbourne Museum, which is visited by thousands, he says New Zealand has rather a doubtful cheap advertisement in having a Maori exhibit near the Solomon Islands and Fiji displays. A feeling is caused in the minds of visitors that New Zealand is semi-civilised.