THE DEPARTMENT AGAIN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1189, 26 July 1911, Page 6

THE DEPARTMENT AGAIN.

CHARLOTTE STREET TRAMWAY WORKS STOPPED. The Wellington City Council appenvs to be having a pretty rough pas-age in its dealings with the Public Works Department at the present time. A start was mado last week with the work of shifting telegraph poles in Charlotte Street, as a preliminary to the laying of a new tramline in flint thoroughfare. This work has now been suspended.

A Dominion reporter wlio questioned the Town Clerk (Mr. .1. B. Palmer) yesterday as to the reason of thn stoppage was informed that it had been ordered by the Public Works Department which had written lo ask by what authority the council was proceeding with Ihe work. The council, in reply, stated that, inasmuch as they had received the Order-in-Council a week or to previously and had been asked to obtain tho usual'copies for tho use of (he Government, it had been understood that the council was at liberty to proceed with the work. The officials of the corporation immediately concerned were under tho impression that the matter had been dealt with by the Board of Control, and Superintendent of lelegraplis, and the engineering branch of the Public Works Department. The Town Clerk was advised in a further letter from the Department that unless Mr. Blow (Under-Kecretary) had given nuthoritj, tli6 work could not proceed. Tho council was asked lo immediately instruct its .officers accordingly. This delay is very much regretted as a number of polos have already been erected. Further inquiries addressed to the Department elicited the information that the Minister wanted an alteration in the Charluttc Street footpath, lie desires that there shall be a path ten feet wide instead of the nine-foot path shown in plans which have been in the hands of tho Department for many weeks. This appeal's to bo the first intimation that has reached tho council with regard lo tho alteration, and it is suggested thut needless expense and delay might have been saved had the alteration been notified in good lime. Instructions have been issued by fho corporation I hat tho work in Charlotte Street shall be temporarily stopped.

The wife of a clergyman warned him as ho went off to olticinle. at a funeral one rainy day. ''Vow, John, don't stand with your bare head on the damp ground; you'll catch cold." .