NEW ZEALAND: GENERAL

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 22, 2 June 1904, Page 20

NEW ZEALAND: GENERAL

We shall be greatly indebted to correspondents and readers who forward us copies of papers containing comments on the Btble-in-schools manifesto. An Oaruaru correspondent informs us that the generally accepted opinion that Mr. Watson, the Commonwealth Premier, was born m South America is incorrect, as he fust saw the light oi day in Weston, close to Oamaru. and served his time at the printing trade at the local ' Mail ' office. The Wellington Trades Council has decided to enter a protect against the municipal by-law which gives a tramway conductor discretionary power to eject any passenger whose clothes are dirty. It is contended that the by-law sets up a class distinction, and if enforced would prevent workers from using the trams, and compel them to reside in the city. After an extended leave of absence, necessitated by the eflects of a riding accident, whereby one of his legs and an arm were badly broken, Constable Joseph Keaney, oi Mat aura (says the ' Wyndham Farmer '), is back to home and duty. Part of his furlough was spent in Dunedm Hospital, and the balance at Hanmer amd Rotorua, where the curative properties of both these waters were put to the test, and have not been found wanting. Though not quite his active self again, Constable Keaney is as cheery and genial as ever, and "we trust it is only the matter of a few weeks when he will be quite set up once more His numerous friends will be delighted to hear of his recovery from a very serious mishap. In connection with the doparture of Lord Ranfurly and tyhe arrival of Lord Plunket the Wellington City Council has in hand the preparation of addresses, one expressing appreciation of the services rendered to the Colony by Lord Hanfurly, and the other welcoming the new representative of his Majesty to this Colony. The Mayor will mute the citizens to observe the occasion as a holiday, and the Government has undertaken to call out the \ olunteers and Garrison Band to add display to the official ceremonies. Citizens are to be asked to take part in the fitting ceremony. It has been decided by the Government that the Departmental Buildings, Parliament Buildings, and General Post Office shall be illuminated in honor of his Excellency Lord Plunket upon his arrival here. The Hinemoa, with the members of the Ministry on board, will meet the Gothic outside the heads, and Lord Plunket - will tranship to her and enter port on the Government steamer. In his speech at the laying of the foundation stone of a new railway station in connection with straightening and duplication of the Wellington-Hutt railway. Sir Joseph Ward said that there seemed to be an impression in other parts of the Colony that this work should not be undertaken, as works of greater importance elsewhere deserved prior attention. This was not the case, as the work on the Hutt-Wellington line was warranted to the fullest possible extent by the development of traffic in and out of the city. With the sale of land ronsequent on the important reclamations to be carried out the work would cost oWy £114,000. The Auckland ChanYber of Commerce had as,kod that the work should be postponed until the duplication of the line between Auckland and Penrose. The Government would, however, do nothing of the kind. There were now 70 trains running daily between Wellington and the Hutt, and it was imperative that greater rapidity should be provided, for the revenue on the line from passenger traffic had in seven years increased 100 per cent. When the work now commenced was finished, and he hoped it would be in two and a half years, trains would run at 45 miles an hour, instead of 23, as at present.