AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 4, 26 January 1910, Page 5

AUCKLAND.

East Coast Railway. Tenders close at the end of the month for the Otoko viaduct on the railway between Gisborne and Motu. Situated at a point 31 miles five chains from Gisborne, the structure will span an lipper reach of the Vt aihuka River, which at this point is confined between the Hills, and is better described as a ravine. The viaduct is to be a steel structure, mounted on great solid concrete blocks. It will be 370 ft in length, whilst the rails will cross the guleh 100 ft above the stream below. The contract which provides for both construction and erecting, requires the work to be completed in 15 months. Discontent Among Volunteers. Some of the remarks that have been made with reference to the discontent among volunteers in regard to the administration from headquarters in Wellington. might by those not familiar with defence matters be construed into an expression of dissatisfaction with the instructional staff at Auckland. ‘‘Such is by no means the case," said an experienced infantry officer to a “Graphic” reporter last week. "The district instructors have the entire confidence of officers and men, and the work they have done cannot be too highly commended. They are not only efficient, but enthusiastic, and none of us would wish for better men. From Colonel Wolfe downwards, we are in complete accord with the Staff, and you will not find a district in the Dominion where there is a better feeling.” Harbour Soundings. Commenting on the accident to the s.s. Kaipara. the ‘Poverty Bay Herald” says: “Hitherto Wellington has been made tha port of departure of the largest ocean liners, and even there care has to be exercised in taking out of harbour these great vessels when deeply loaded. A chart of Wellington harbour shows that off Worsen Bay. between the Steeple Rock and Gordon Point, there are soundings of 31ft and 33ft, and a little to the right ot left patches of from 26ft to 29ft. This does not give much margin ba a deeply laden modern steamship. especially if there be a swell rolling up the harbour, and it would be safer, even at Wellington, for such vessels to always choose high water, •which gives an additional 3Jft, for their time of departure. Auckland and Wellington, it may be interesting to point out. are the only ports in the Dominion from which the Kaipara, with the draught stated, could have taken her departure. At Lyttelton a channel is being dredged to 28ft. but a uniform depth to this extent has not yet been attained. At Timaru the soundings show 23ft. -an I the limit of Port Chalmers is for vessels drawing 25ft.” The Stranded Kaipara. Affairs have progressed quietly in the Dominion through the week. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s fine steamer Kaipara, which met with an obstruction while steaming out of port last week and damaged her bottom, has been floated off and brought tip into the harbour. Several large holes were found in her hull by the divers, and on these being plugged up the powerful pumps of the tug Terawhiti. assisted by the Harbour Board's pulsometer, emptied the bolds of water and the liner floated off and was brought up to Hobson Bay. where she was beached until more of her cargo has been discharged prior to docking for repairs. It is stated by Capt. Cornwall, master of the vessel, that he discovered a shoal patch with 26ft. of water on it. about 200 yards astern of where the Kaipara grounded, and this the officers say they have no doubt caused the mndiap to the ship. A Big Scheme. The Auckland City Council has adopted. subject to confirmation at next meeting, a scheme for extending the munici-

pal electric light and power system, providing for the expenditure of £215,000, including the erection of a new elec'r: -*! jiower station on the reelai 1 ed land near the Railway wharf, known as the Farmers’ Freezing Company’s reclamation, recently acquired under the Public Works Act, and now the property of the City Council. At the opening of the University Senate the speech of the Chancellor, Sir Robert Stowt, who is now on his way heme from England, expressed opposition to the proposal to give the four colleges in New Zealand power to grant degrees. He declared that New Zealand’s requiremeaw m mathematics for the B.A. degree were higher than those of Cambridge. The Knyvett Case. The latest phase of the ease of Capta n F. B, Knyvett. who was dismissed as the outcome of the letter he wrote to the Minister of Defence, making certain idiarges against Colonel Robin, is that in answer to the deputation sent down from Auckland this week. Sir Joseph Ward has promised to get a full report from the so-called Court, of Inquiry, which was supposed to try the Captain, and says he will give the matter his fullest consideration. Sir Joseph defended. Colonel Robin, who he said had had nothing to do with the proceedings against Captain Knyvett, the officer who directed them being Colonel Tuson. The request for a Royal Commission to inquire into the working of the Defence Administration was declined. Sir Joseph refusing to believe that the volunteer forces were disaffected as alleged by the deputation. Wailii Miners’ Union. The Waihi Miners’ Union ballot on the question of cancellation of registration resulted as follows: — Waihi: For cancellation, 188; against, 229. Waikino Branch: For cancellation, 34; against, 12. Total for cancellation, 222; against, 241. A bare majority would not carry the proposal, as under the provisions of the Act, with a total membership of 1200, it would require over 600 votes in favour of the proposal to carry it.