LOCAL AND GENERAL

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 1, 26 September 1907, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Messrs. Donald M'Lean and Co. are tho successful tenderers for a new wharf (and approaches) to bo erected at Jiaikoura to the order of the Ilaikoura County Council. The'wharf, which will_ bo a big inip"<:voment on anythmg Eaiiiouia iias previously possessed, will be 300 ft.' long and* 32ft. broad, and will bo able to accommodate vessels with a draught of 13ft at low-water springs. Thu contract price ig £7GOO, and the wharf is to bo completed in fifteen months' time.

JJiilk and meat wore onco more on their trial at the conferonco between tho Hospital Board and Hospital Trustees, and a unanimous verdict of guilty was returned. Tho city's aiilk supply was condemned as " a most prolific source of disca-so" and a ruthless ally of the White Scourge—consumption. Reference was made to the City Council's suggested scheme of municipalisation of the supply, and several speakers strongly urged that the matter should be taken in hand without dolay, and in conjunction with the Health Department. The horrors of tuberculous meat were painted in graphic language. ,

In his official capacity, the Chiof Health Ofliccr of the Hcalilx Department has 601110 painful duties to perform. Particularly is this so in connection with the exclusion oE consumptives from the Dominion, to which Dr. Mason referred at the conference with the Hospital Board and Trustees. •!' It seems a harsh law when you have to administer it," he remarked. 'T quite agree that we should not allow tho.Dominion to bocome a dumping-ground for indigent incurables, but to oxcludo a person who is only slightly affected, and has been sent ou a round trip, and is in a position to pay for admission to a sanatorium, seems very hard. Such patients could bo sent straight away to an institution, without being allowed to become a nienaco .to the community. To refuse to allow them to land at all, has occasioned some of the most bitter letters I have ever received, and thoy are painful to me."

A tonder has boon accepted by the 'Public Works Department for tho erection of a new post offico, in brick, for Geraldine. Tho amount of the tender is in tho neighbourhood of £2000.

Owing to tho difficulties in the way of obtaining prompt supplies of hardwood timber at the Clarence River (N.S.W.) and elsewhere, Messrs. Donald McLean and Co. do not anticipate being ablo to commence the construction of tho now Harbour Board wharf at Petona before the ' beginning of December.

Tho cramped accommodation of . tho Government Buildings may bo relieved noxt week, when it is hoped that the new wing will be completed. The period stipulated in the contract has already expired. During the erection of the wing, civil servants have' suffered not only from tho normal insufficiency of space which . rendered necessary the additions, but also from tho encroachment of the builders' work upon contiguous departments,' whoso occupants have had to fly to other rooms—where no room was t<i spare—to escapo the din of saw and hammer and invasion of saw-dust. Tho new wing does not make an imposing figure on a plan of tho whole building, but, with its four floors measuring 60ft. by 30ft., it is largo enough for a warehouse. It has been provided for.those departments which employ a large number of officers, and tho Valuation, Treasury, Audit and Education Departments will simply move along into tho _ four largo new ' apartments, . without going off their present floors. Tho men who have been exiles from adjoining departments during the period of confnsion and noise will move back quietly and in peace during the next two weeks, but the'evacuation of their former promises by tha Valuation, Treasury, Audit, and Education Departments will occasion a fresh distribution of _ accommodation throughout tho buildings, which will, take longer to effect. As plans for rearrangement were approved by all the heads of departments before building was commcuced, the. partition in riot likely to causo quarrelling..

i His Excellency., the Governor and liady Plunkefc. are to attend the performance of "Mother Goose" to-mor-row evening. . 'To-morrow afternoon Liidv Phmk'et is to entertain the io. mates of the various children's institutions at afternoon tea. ; . She will be insisted by several ladies, who will' preside at tho different places that are' to bo visited by, Her Excellency, in torn. On Saturday afternoon Lord and Lady Plunket aro to attend tho Association football match, England v. Scotland, at Miramar, and on Monday evening they will be present at the performance of "Sweet Lavender" to be given at the Town Hall, under the direction of Miss Hardingc-Maltby.

Mr. T. Mackenzio, M.H.R/, . has gone to AVaikonaiti to open a new past-office to-day.

The Rev. Percy Haggitt, who returned rocontly from a prolonged visit tb : lsngland, has-been appointed Minor Cation of the ' Anglican Cathedral, Ohristchurch, by the Chapter.

The Rev. Henry Williams will roiiif.ru the parochial district of Prebbletoii, Christchurch, at the end of this month, retiring with a pension from tho active list. Outside his parochial i?nties, Mr. Williams has done excellent wn-ico (states the. "Nctv Zealand Chtrch News in connection with the Clerev Tensions Fnnd, which really owes its present organisation chioSy to

• The services of Mr. Andrew Black, the famous English baritone, and Mr. John l'roiise, of Wollins.-ton, have been fjvxured by the Wellimxtou Choral Society for what should bo a notable performance! of Gounod's " Redemption." to bo given at the Town Hall next month.

Madame. Albani has very kindly volunteered to sing a verso of tho National Anthem at mo musical'function to take place a.t tho Town Hall this cveniiQ. His Excellency , the Govornov, to whom the offor was made, has welcomed tho graiious proposal (if tho great sinner, and she is to. sing a verse"of "God Save ;tho King' M soon as the orchestra has played His Excellency to his scat. .

Mr. K. Lowe, of Auckland, brother of Dr. Lowe, of Wellington, is at present oa a visit to Wellington.

Archdeacon Scott, of Christchurch, who retires from the vicarship of St. Saviour's, Sydenham, Christchurch, at the end of this month, proposes So. take rooms in Christchurch for tho" present (suvs tho "New Zealand Church News "), and to devoto himself to tin*, work of his archdeaconry. Airs. Scott's health is far from satisfactory, but she hopes to carry on hor oversight of tho Female Rofugo.