WELLINGTON JOTTINGS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XII, 21 March 1896, Page 319

WELLINGTON JOTTINGS.

(BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) THERE was a large attendance at Thomas’ Hal! on Wednesday evening last, the occasion being a complimentary concert tendered to Miss Marion Sampson prior to her departure for England, with the object of studying for the operatic stage. Miss Sampson’s rendering of the various numbers she was set down for gave evident satisfaction. She was assisted by Madame Eveleen Carlton, Miss Gage, Messrs H. Wright, Dyer, Mackintosh, etc., and altogether the concert was a very enjoyable one. Members of the Wellington Bowling Club have under consideration an invitation from the Nelson and Blenheim Bowling Clubs to send a team to those places at Easter in order to play a series of matches.

Very general regret was felt in Wellington that during the recent visit of the Squadron the Municipal Council did not rise to the occasion, and, as the representatives of the citizens generally, entertain the Admiral and officers. This want of courtesy practically amounted to an open act of discourtesy, and the sole cause appears to have been a lack of unity between the Mayor and the members of the Council. It is for many other reasons, unfortunate that the Mayor and Council of the Empire City are not a happy family. There is so much urgent need for reform and improvement in connection with many public matters under the jurisdiction of the City Council, that all personal feeling should, as a matter of duty, be suppressed. As evidence of the state of affairs at present existing, the following notices of motion were latelygiven :—Councillor Smith to move ‘That the statements of the Mayor re Councillors be reviewed’ ; while the Mayor tabled a notice that he would move, ‘ That the statements of Councillors Harris, Harcourt, Devine, Myers, and Smith re the Mayor be review-ed.’ The recklessly overcrowded manner in which the tramcars have been allowed to travel through the citydaily hitherto has been truly disgraceful, and the wonder is, not that an accident has occurred, but that there has been such immunity from accidents. Various efforts have been made to have the evil stopped. The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has on several occasions had the matter under consideration, and have sought to get the City Council to interfere with a view to its suppression. The City Council, it is scarcely need ful to state, have ample powers to put an end to this overcrowding evil if they would only enforce them.

The Salvation Army have now in course of erection in Vivian street a fine new Barracks, to cost over whilst the site involved an outlay of /.goo. The memorial blocks (three) in connection therewith were laid at the beginning of the mouth by Messrs J. Duthie, one of the Wellington Ms H.R , C. Luke, ex Mayor, and Brigadier Hoskins. The Army are doing a grand work in this city, apart altogether from street and other preaching, by seeking out and relieving the sick and needy. In rescue work also they are doing an amount of good that comparatively few are aware of,or at all realise, and as they are ever ready- to extend a helping band, irrespective of nationality, creed, or past career, they well deserve hearty support from all sections of the community.