WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2084, 9 January 1908, Page 3

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

(Special to Times.) AVELLINGTON, Jan. 8.. Reports received by tho Tourist Department state that there are crowds of visitors at all the holiday resorts. Rotorua, the southern lakes, and Alomit Cook have attracted more people than over, and the available accommodation has been overtaxed. Tbe weather here continues very drv,/though apparently the drought has not been so had as in the South Island. Nevertheless most fanners are crying out for rain, and indiscriminate garden-hosing is being stopped in t)ve city. To-day there has been a cool southerly breeze, grid there seems every prospect of a contin nance of tho present fine weather. At a special meeting of the Harbor Board to-morrow a motion regarding increased wharf and shell accommodation at the Queen’s AY hart will be discussed. At the present time the Board lias contracts let tor £*335,749, as follows:—King’s AA'harf, £79,440; Clyde Quay AA’harf, £39.755; Petone' AVharf, £9412; No. 1 contract for hydraulic cranes, £3702; No. 2 contract, £16,1(9; graving duck. £196,261; and yet another wharf will he required as soon as the King’s AA'harf, now well advanced, is ready for use. There is a growing feeling in view of the Evans Bay •reclamation scheme that the site of the proposed dock should he changed, anil a motion dealing with the matter will be discussed by the Harbor Board. It is contended that the locality of the Patent Slip is the proper place for the dock. A replica in bronze of the marble bust of the late Sir John Hall, executed hv Air. Nelson Illingworth-for tho late statesman’s family, lias been purchased by the Government. The bust will be- placed in the Parliamentary Library. At the present time. Mr. “Illingworth is engaged on busts oi“ his Grice Archbishop Redwood and Lady AVaril, both of which will be executed in marble. Sir Joseph Ward will also give Air. Illingworth sittings when lie returns to AVellington.