It is likely that the whole question will be considered by the City Council before March 31, when the licences have to be renewed.
The subject, however, is a difficult one.
The by-law governing the issue of licences says nothing about colour or nationality; in fact, it appears the council has no right to deal with that aspect of the question, nor does it appear that the council has the right to refuse a hawker's licence if the applicant complies with the conditions.
A suggestion has been made that the city solicitors be asked for an opinion as to the council's powers in the matter, and it is likely that this will be done.
• During the recent Westland jubilee festival much was said about the progress of the West Coast of late years.
How lands are being cultivated, and the future possibilities of the dairying industry, which has already done so much, and which has a very bright future in a district so well adapted for cattle, attracted the notice of visitors, more particularly the Vice-regal party and members of Parliament.
Without doubt the progress made will be continued, so that, like Taranaki in the north, the West Coast in the south may hope within a very few years, to put into practical use the vast area of land from Karamea to Jackson's Bay.
The growth of agriculture on the Coast during the last decade has been great.
What will happen during the next few years remains to be seen.
The now comparatively easy means of export to Canterbury is already being availed of, and when the connecting link is completed there is a future in store for those engaged in farming on the West Coast, possibly little thought of at present.
Another advance, comparatively small though it may seem, but, like the introduction of dairy factories a few years ago, a beginning is being made.
By the express train on Thursday a first consignment of 500 fat lambs from the Grey Valley is being forwarded for disposal at Addington on Wednesday.
• Motoring journals in England supply accounts of a Christchurch invention which has been taken in hand by the Motor Improvements and Patents Company (says the Lyttelton Times).
It is a horizontal two-stroke engine, intended for use in cycle-cars and motor cycles.
It consists of two horizontally opposed cylinders, containing trunk pistons connected to a two-throw crankshaft.
It is stated that its special feature is its robust construction and ample dimensions of all working parts.
Amongst the other novel features are the double-bore pistons and the rotary distributing valves.
The rotary valve is shielded by the piston when the explosion pressure is at its maximum.
By a system of forced lubrication every moving part receives oil under pressure.
The Motor Cycle of November 27 stated that tests were to be made on the Brooklands track, and that the journal was looking forward with interest to the road results obtained with this interesting engine.
• In giving his impressions of London, Mr R. G. Casey, chairman of Goldsbrough, Mort and Company, who has just returned to Australia after a visit to England, said that aeroplanes were now accepted as public utilities.
''Aeroplaning,'' he said, ''has passed far beyond the experimental stage in England. It is quite an established means of travelling and amusement. At Hendon, one can see a dozen aeroplanes in the air almost at any time any Sunday.''
- ODT, 29.1.1914.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
