AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 20, 17 November 1909, Page 6

AUCKLAND.

Calliope Dock. In view of the recent announcement) that Auckland was to be a naval base for the Pacific Squadron, the following, communication from the Admiralty is of special interest. Some time ago tha

(Auckland Harbour Board wrote to the Admiralty with reference to the Calliope dock and its adaptability for the requirements of the fleet. The reply is as follows:—“Sirs, —With .reference to your letter of 23rd June, 1909, relative to 'the proposed enlargement of Calliope dock at Auckland, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to inform you that it appears to them that the alterations required to make the dock suitable evex for H.M.S. Indomitable are so great that it would probably be better to build a new dock.—(Signed) W. Graham Greene.”. !A cross section of the Indomitable accompanied the letter.

Auckland University.

In the course of his Budget speech before Parliament last week, the Prime Minister stated one-fifth of the revenue from endowment lands would be set apart for higher education. In this connection, with regard to Auckland University College, Sir Joseph stated that it was intended to utilise the present Government House grounds in Auckland as a site for a new university building, the Auckland University’s share of the moneys coming from the endowment lands to be devoted to providing suitable buildings. The Prime Minister added that he would ask the House to make the necessary provision to enable this important work to be put in hand next yea r.

A Terrific Explosion.

Some sensation was caused in Auckland on Wednesday afternoon when a tremendous explosion occurred off Tamaki, and it was seen that the Auckland Harbour Board's powder hulk had been blown to atoms. It was feared that the caretaker and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Finch, had 'been killed, but they both arrived in town during the afternoon. (Finch stated that during the morning lie noticed smoke issuing from the hatch, and endeavoured, but unsuccessfully, to suppress the fire with buckets of water, He then set his wife adrift in the small boat, and tried to scuttle the ship. Failing in this attempt, he jumped overboard and swam to the boat, which he reached in an exhausted condition. They rowed ashore, and subsequently the hulk blew up.