WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2083, 8 January 1908, Page 1

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Special to Times. WELLINGTON, Jan. 7. The Wellington City Council is calling for tenders for a crematorium, f ile movement for a public crematorium was initiated by Miss Studholme, daughter of the late Air. John Studholme. There lias been u good deal of delay owing to certain difficulties encountered in securing working plans of the most approved furnaces, but this has now been overcome.

The secretary of the Agricultural Department, who returned from the South to-day, states that in the vicinity of Christchurch lie found harvesting in full swing. The yield for that part of the Dominion will be an average one, but further south (down to Hie northern part of Otago) the returns will not be so good, as the long spell of dry weather is having a detrimental effect on the crops, bringing on the grain before it is quite matured. . The reason given for shifting Air. Strauclion, Chief ■.Surveyor and Commissioner of Crown Lands, from Wellington to Auckland is that a great deal of kind settlement will be taking place in the latter district in the iiniir future... This will necessitate work, in which Mr. bcrauviiuii is paiticularly expert. A!oreovej\ it is felt that the importance of the Auckland land district ill view of its possibdlies makes the position a -suitable ono for the senior Commissioner of Crown"'Lauds in the Dominion. Air. Strauclion came to Otago with Ins parents from Scotland when a. lad. He has had a lengthy experience in New Zealand land and survey work. He is a member of the North Island, ltepresentation Commission and ol the Scenery Board, and is A ice-t President of the Wellington Tree-Plant-ing and Scenery Preservation Society. Air. Strauclion is keenly interested in scenery preservation, and while in the Taranaki district took a particularly keen interest in the Egrnont National Park. The Socialists of _ Wellington will forward to Airs. K.cir Hurdle shortly a handsome escretoire in New Zealand woods. Air. AY. 11. Hawkins, ex-AI.H.lt. for Pahiatua, lias definitely decided to contest the Pahiatua seat atjdie next genen.il election. The sitting member is Air. Boss.