WELLINGTON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2177, 29 April 1908, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(Special to “Times”) WELLINGTON; April 28. GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS The demolition of the building on the Featherstone-street frontage of the Post Office block will bo commenced shortly, and in their- stead the Government will proceed to erect a. stately pile for Hie Post Office and other departments. BLACKBALL STRIKE. Local unions' are continuing to assist tho Blackball strikers. The Wellington Typograpliical Union has passed a resolution voting £lO and £5 a month thereafter to help their families. - , MINISTERS’ MOVEMENTS. The Premier is to leave for the West Coast of the South Island on Thursday next, and the Hon. Mr. McGowan will return to the North about the same time. Mr. Hall-Jones is inspecting the North Island Main Trunk Railway, and Dr. Findlay is at Rotorua. CHEAPER RAILWAY FARES The -Premier has under consideration the question of cheaper fares for suburban services, or rather, of an extension of‘ the present suburban area.. The scheme is not yet matured but there are indications that it will give general satisfaction, and tend to prevent, to some extent-, overcrowding in the cities. In the Wellington district the Upper Hutt valley, which is outside tho present radius, is rapidly becoming a suburban area. Its imputation is daily increasing and one day it will carry a largo population. GOVERNMENT HOUSE. Tho “borer” beetle , has eaten into the timbers of Government House, and it is stated that it will not last many years longer. Nevertheless, the present alterations for the housing" of Parliament are being carried out with tho view to improving tlio building as the residence for the Governor of the Dominion. In the alteration now being carried out, a. good deal of attention is being devoted to Bellamys, and the wine cellar is being prepared for the casks of beer etc., that will tako the place of the choicer liquors formerly stored there. A bar will bo put in tlio dining room, and beer engines will pump where formerly liveried footmen poured forth the wines of Franco and Spain. MAYORAL ELECTION. The interest in the Mayoral election becomes keener as polling dayapproaches. Thore are no fewer than 28,032 names on the roll, and a record polling will certainly result. It is impossible to forecast the result. Tlio Hon. Mr. Hislop is supposed to have the support of tho Socialistic section, as well, as a -number of prominent business and professional men, and Mr. Ait-ken will no douibt get a pretty solid vote from commercial men generally, as well as from churchmen: and .prohibitionists. The controversy over the election -has been at times of a somewhat hitter nature, and at least oiie libel action has arisen out of it.