Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 19856, 3 May 1928, Page 6

The old mountain-side track from Kingston to Queenstown, still visible, with its rough bit over the Devil’s Staircase, where a drover’s herd of bullocks once came to grief, is being replaced by the Public Works Department, ns a job for relief labour, by a road worthy of the name, wJiich will perfect the vehicular circuit from Gore to Milton. Work is being carried on from botli ends under the direction of the department’s office in Alexandra, where Mr F. W. Lindup is in charge. It is possible now to go from Queenstown by way of the Kawarau Bridge, as far as Lumberbox Creek, a distance of about eight miles, and at the other end the road is passable for six or seven miles beyond Kingston. The inbetween countryside, including the Wye Creek region, is being surveyed with a view to forming the middle piece of road in due course.

The first shipment of Australian melons to Dunedin this season arrived yesterday by the steamer Waikouaiti in good condition, and this fruit is selling well at prices based on the wholesale value of 12s or 13s per cwt. As only two more shipments are arranged for, and they on the small side, it is expected that prices will grow firmer.

Some discussion was occasioned at last night’s meeting of the City Council as a result of the General Committee’s report that a petition had been received from a. number of residents in the vicinity of the corner of Regent road and P.ark street protesting against the erection of a shop at such corner. As the proposed building complied with the provisions of the city building bylaws the committee had no legal grounds for refusing a permit, and the petitioners had been advised accordingly. Cr Wilson explained that no action could be taken by the council under the town planning regulations, as a new staff of engineers under the regulations would be required to tackle the situation. When the council took action and produced a plan from the engineer it might be possible to have zones as in Christchurch and to say which should be shop and which residential areas, but until then no action could be taken.

Through a pan of fat in an ovan at the Excelsior Hotel catching fire, the City Brigade was called upon to turn out at 6.’25 -p.m. yesterday. The outbreak was extinguished before any damage resulted.

“The Queen’s Garden at Ujc present time is lopsided,” said Gr Hayward at last night’s meeting or the City Council, in speaking in favour of a recommendation of the General Committee that the public convenience now standing in the Queen’s Garden bo removed. On one side there was a small handrail around it, and on the other side a hideous railing. At the corner were trees and broken bottles which accumulated. If the convenience wore removed it would make the Queen’s Garden and square a sightly place for the city. The clause occasioned no further discussion, and the committee’s report was eventually adopted

In committee last night the City Council made a general review of the salaries of the officials throughout the various departments, and granted a numl • of increases, which all round involve a sum of over a thousand pounds. Though the General Committee of the City Council does not propose, in the meantime, to take any action in the acquisition of the property adjoining the tepid baths building, with a view to providing an additional pool for learners and children, the chairman of the committee (Cr Hayward) said at last night’s meeting of the council that at the time the Otago Swimming Centre had approached the council regarding the extension of the tepid baths the popularity of swimming locally was undoubted. “There is no doubt,” said Cr Hayward, “ that if swimming continues to increase in popularity the time will come when baths will have to be erected in the north or south ends.” There were times when the tepid baths were unable to cope with the public—they were simply overcrowded. Broadcast station 21 ,1 C (Sydney) announced last night (according to a Wellington message) that the Civic Commissioners have received news from New Zealand that Mr Maling will leave Wellington next Tuesday by the Malt ura for Sydney. A cable from ; ney received last week stated: The Civic Commissioners, who are holding an investigation into the purchase of electrical apparatus during the past five years, have made a discovery of trust moneys, an explanation of which is desired from Silas Y. Maling, the deputy general manager of tho uty Council’s electricity department, who recently secured a medical_ certificate on the ground of illness prior to taking long leave, and is now believed to be in Auckland. A detective has gone to New Zealand to interview Maling before lie continues his voyage to lie United States, concerning the ownership of large suras of trust moneys remitted from Britain to Sydney. The person who now holds tho money informed the Taxation Department that he is holding the money on behalf of Maling, whose answer to this assertion is so essential that it is regarded necessary that Maling should return to Sydney.

Complaint regarding the use of the footpath from the Northern Cemetery to Opoho by motor cycles was voiced by Cr Munro at last night’s meeting of the City Council. He said that children and adults were often in danger of being knocked down. He thought something should be done in the matter, and suggested that a notice be put up to try to prevent the practice, Cr Wilson promising that attention would be drawn to tbe matter. There was no business at the Police Court this morning. Three candidates stood for the two extraordinary vacancies on the Fort Chalmers Borough Council, and the poll yesterday resulted: John Watson, 336; George Groves, 291; Rupert A. Fountain, 260. Mr Watson (an exmayor) and Mr Groves were elected.

The Minister of Internal Affairs has decided, in accordance with the recommendation of the Otago Acclimatisation Society, that there shall be an _ open season this year in the Otago district for the month of June for the taking and trapping of opossums.

A narrow escape from a serious accident was experienced by Mr James Samson, juu., at Merlon on Tuesday. Mir Samson was driving bis car towards the railway crossing when be took the precaution of putting the vehicle into second gear, and glancing on each side to sec that tbe road was clear. As ho came to tho line a horso drawn vehicle was just ahead of him, and he was right on the rails when he saw a tram approaching. He pressed down the accelerator, but the locomotive just hit tho back of the car, throwing it clean over, and causing considerable damage. Mr Samson extracted himself from the car uninjured.

Gr Scott (chairman of tho Gas Committee), in presenting the report of the committee to the meeting of tho City Council last night, said authority line! been granted for tho disposal of certain plant at the gasworks which has been replaced by new plant. The plant in question included the station ]neter and purifiers, and it was expected that the sale of these would _ shortly be effected at n satisfactory price. A preliminary acceptance had already been received from tho inquirer.

Mrs Emily Dale, of Christchurch, daughter of Sergeant-major Devin, who was on© of the Balaclava survivors, has sent to the Otago Early Settlers’ Museum a large framed oil painting of an Otago gold escort such as did duty in the ’sixities. Familiar tignres_ are represented—Mr M'lntosh the driver, the sender’s father in Ids trooper’s uniform, and Major Keddell. The accompanying soldiers are in tho uniform of the "'loth Regiment. The Arbitration Court recently made an award as to tho motor engineering trade which for the first time fixes the conditions of apprenticeship. Amongst other things, this award enforces attendance at a technical school for three or four years. The manager and director of King Edward Technical College have made arrangements that will bring Dunedin into lino with these requirements._ -p----prentices who have been attending certain classes will be allowed to continue, whilst others will be enabled to attend the college on two evenings a week. These arrangements are to operate as from the 21st inst.

Oranges are snaree. A small shipment of “ Snnldst ” came to Dunedin out of the consignment by tho Alakura, and fetched good prices. One of onr Dunedin fruiterers tried _ Wellington for an augmentation of bis lot, and got the. answer that, the merchants there could not quote, all their share of the shipment being booked to buyers.

At the Timaru Supremo Court, before Mr Justice Adams, Leslie James Roach, charged with the. thelfc of moneys totalling £4O 17s 6d from the Farmers’ and Graziers’ Supply Service, was found not guilty. Press Association telegram.

Por spectacle* that soothe the eyes consult W. V. Stunner, D. 5.0.1., G.A.0.C., 2 Octagon. Onr business s exclusively optical.—[Advt.]

Leap year proposals lead to Williamsons (next The Bristol Piano Co.), where the good rings are made at fair prices. (Advt.J