MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLI, Issue 201, 31 July 1906, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

We have been asked to sl.iS" that the slight delay which occurred immediately after the Rotoiti left the wharf yesterday, and before she approached the thrning to go out by the new entrance, was due to the removal of a connecting pin in the steering gear, the replacing of which caused a few minutes delay. The 800 passengers who made the trip through the cut yesterday in the Rotoiti will be interested in learning that they were insured, the Union Company having taken out a policy with the Ocean Accident Company, of which Mr J. P. Harris is the local agent. The Pateena, drawing a foot more water than the Rotoiti, and a longer boat went out the new cut this afternoon, two hours before high water. When the Rotoiti went out on her trip to Wellington yesterday she looked like a steam yacht making the fine curve of the channel into the new cut. The pilot occupied only six minutes in taking! tho vessel from the wharf to outside the bank and dropping into his boat, as against an average of 17 minutes by tho old entrance. Mr F. N. Jones, junior, had a fine coign of vantage for photograph taking. and he secured & pauoiiaJmic view from the hill', getting' the Rotoiti, the new and old entrance, and many of tho memV>ro!blc events of yesterday afternoon into the picture. It is intended to present Captain Robertson, of the Roto-iti, with framed photographic vie,ws (panoramic) of yesterday's doings. Among the refreshments used at tho speechnraking at the Harbour Board Office yesterday afteirnoon was BailHu Nichol Jarvie whisky, from . the csta\!jlisbjnient of Mr Webster, a former member of the Board — ordered by the Chairman just to show that there was no • anfmosity to an opponent. It should have been mentioned in yesterday's report that the woodwork and fitting in the memorial inkstand presented to Mr John Graham yesterday, was done by Mr James Brown. The inkstand had a substantial silver pen carried on the rowlocks which form tho penholder. At tho last moment 3tr Pitt, Attorney-General, was unab|e to come to Nelson by the Rotoiti a3 he had intruded to do in order to > bo present : at the official opening of the new cut. An apology waa received by wire. A shilling each for little pieces oi tho ribbon which the Rotoiti broke when entering the new cut was eagerly being offered at tho Port yesterday. Last night Mr Graham received the following tolegtram from the Premier among others : '■' Accept our congratulations on successful opening of new harbour (by passage of "Rotoiti." Your efforts initiating this work and so far completing it satisfactorily will bo appreciated by all. Kind regards.— Wm. HALL-JONES."