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Evening Star, Issue 21519, 18 September 1933, Page 8

All the scaffolding that is necessary for the work on the exterior of the front of the Dunedin Town .Hall is now in position, and H. 8. Bingham and Co. have made a beginning with the upper operations by means of a swinging scaffold on the safety principle. The contract is for restoration where necessary, as well as putting on a waterproof coating and painting all the wood and metal work. Mr Bingham says that his examination so far does not reveal any serious decay; the stone is standing the wear of the weather. The light north-west air_ that prevailed in Dunedin yesterday is not often experienced hero in the spring. Wise folk enjoyed the day out of doors. Those who spoilt that pleasure by foretelling a “ southerly buster ” to follow were out in the calculations, for the change did not come till a little before breakfast time this morning, and instead of bounding in like a lion this southerly approached quite gently, so that the steady rain which it brought was a blessing to gardens and pastures. Tempted by the mild and calm weather yesterday, quite a number ot surf bathers tried the water at the Ocean Beach, and judging by the time they stayed in they did not feel cold, it is a little early for general bathing in the open, but it is likely to be a popular sport in the coming season, since the public are now realising the value of the accommodation at St. Glair and St. Kilda. September is officially recorded as the date of the founding of the town of Auckland in 1840. The anniversary was duly noted in the ‘ Star ’ of Friday last. A few remarks on the founding may be acceptable. Governor Hobson’s first intention was to establish the capital of the colony at tho Bay of Islands. A sufficient area of land for Government purposes not being available at Kororareka, he purchased Captain Clondon’s trading station and named it Russell. Having no money for the purpose, he gave 10,000 acres south of Auckland in exchange. The Bay of Island dwellers, however, stuck to Kororareka, where their interests concentrated, and for that and other reasons Governor Hobson chose as the site of the capital a stretch of land on the Hokianga River, which he named Churchill. That town, never had more than a nominal existence. In February of 1840 the Governor explored the Waitemata, and thereupon, without consulting any authority, ho proclaimed it the site, giving it tho name of Auckland in honour of George Eden, Earl of Auckland, who in 1835 was appointed Governor-General of India, and will bo remembered as having plunged England into tho unhappy Afghan war of 1838. Hobson’s final choice has been fully justified, thougi criticised at the time, particularly by Mr Somes, governor of the New Zealand Company, who wrote to Lord Stanley in November of 1841 that up to that date no more than 500 persons had been induced to settle on the Waitemata, and that the first passenger vessel from London, the schooner Osprey brought only fourteen immigrants. According to a local resident who is well acquainted with Dunedin history, there are still some additions to be made to the lists of old hotels published from time to time in these pages. Ho states that there has as yet been no mention of tho Royal George, winch used to star 1 on Vernon Smith’s corner, opposite the Moray Place Post office, or of Mr W. Skitch’s West Coast Hofei, formerly on the site now occu pied by Messrs F. and R. Woods. In conversation with an ‘ Evening Star ' reporter this historian added that there had been several arguments over the old name of the hotel now known as the Law Courts, the impression in some quarters being that it was once called tho Supreme Court Hotel. The truth was that the Supremo Court Hotel was situated on the other side of the street nearer the present station, while the Law Courts was knov.'n as the Old Scotland. Incidentally, tho Old England was rigid alongside it in the same block.

Chimney fires at residences in Marama crescent, Anderson’s Bay, and in Cannongate were attended to by the City Fire Brigade at 6.35 p.m. yesterday and 9.35 a.m. to-day.

It has been intimated that the money collected on' behalf of the Cinema Queen, who camo so near to top of the poll, was procured almost entirely through tho efforts _ of the committee, the only outside assistance being .a sum of £5 which was sent in from the country. This reflects extraordinary zeal on behalf of the committee.

The anniversary of the Mornington Methodist Church took place yesterday. The morning service was conducted by the Rev. A, Watson and the evening service by tho Rev. E. T. Cox, M.A. At the "evening worship the choir, under Mr George Hickey, rendered Adam Geihel’s ‘Light Out of Darkness.’ Those taking part in the solo and quartet work were Mesdames Burgess and Wright, Miss Loudon, and Messrs Wright, Pitts, and Clyde. The offerings, including promises, amounted to £9O. The anniversary tea will •be held on Wednesday and will be followed by a concert programme arranged by .Signora Martinelh-Reggiardo.

This morning 13,495 tons of shipping wore lying idle at the Dunedin wharves on account of tho rain preventing the cargoes from being worked. The Poolta (1,676 tons) arrived early this morning and the overseas vessel Tekoa (8,529 tons) is scheduled to sail to-mor-row. The Waimarino (3,067 tons) and the Foxton (224 tons) were to have left port to-day, but both have been delayed.

When members of the New Zealand Alpine Club were tramping in the hills yesterday some pigs were seen on the opposite hillside. As tho trip was essentially a training one, it was agreed to attempt to capture tho “ porkers.” After much wriggling and squirming up a ferny hillside, a suitable point of attack was reached. On the word “ Go ” six members, with no weapons other than their hands, charged down the hill, and after a scramble succeeded in capturing the lot, .which comprised four .young ones.

One of many facts indicating that money is not scarce in the Dunedin district is that the annual sale of work last week to augment tho funds of tho St. Clair Presbyterian Church turned in about £l7O clear. Recently, by the way, this church’s finance was strengthened by two legacies which, though not large, were very welcome. ( The war sloop Laburnum, which has returned to Auckland from a three mouths’ cruise in the Pacific, had instructions to look out for an unidentified vessel which, according to reports recently received from the Islands (says a Press Association telegram), has been visiting _ lonely islands on a secret mission, and _ being very fast, has eluded inspection by the authorities. Although the Laburnum received reports of the vessel, no trace of her was discovered. At the twenty-first annual conference of the New Zealand Journalists’ Association it was resolved that headquarters remain in Auckland for the coining year. The following officers were elected: —President, Mr J. W. L. Jillett; vice-president, Mr R. A. Kenner; secretary, Air G. L. Stanbrook; treasurer, Air T Clarkson ; trustees, Messrs A. F. Grace and G. F. Inglis; auditors, Messrs E. C. Franklin and H. C. Newell. It was resolved to recommend the branches to endeavour to secure additional facilities for young journalists to attend university lectures, particularly those leading up to the diploma in journalism. A proposal for cho establishing of branch libraries of works upon journalism and related subjects was also approved.—Christchurch Press Association. It was stated definitely on Saturday (says a Press Association telegram from Christchurch) that the winning ticket, DK 2,233, in the St. John Ambulance art union, has been produced by Mr L. B. Evans, of Kaiapoi, a member of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, who thus wins the Alorris car.