Rakaia Bridge

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22052, 7 September 1933, Page 8

Rakaia Bridge

A report concerning the plans for the reconstruction of the railway bridge across the Rakaia River has been submitted to the chairman of the Main Highways Board. Mr C. J. M'Kenzie, by the district engineer of the Public Works Department at. Christchurch, Mr F. Langhein. Mr Langbcin stated on Tuesday that either a railway bridge would have to be built almost immediately and the existing bridge left to road traffic for 10 or 12 years, or else a new road bridge would have to be built and the existing structure adapted to railway traffic. The existing bridge would have to be strengthened if it was to be used for railway purposes.

Dogs for Honolulu A six-monthly visit to New Zealand for the purpose of buying dogs is being paid by Mr Hats M‘Kay, an American resident of Honolulu. Mr M‘Kay, who left Wellington on Sunday night for the north, bought three dogs there from the Tailwaggcrs’ Club, which he has appointed his chief agent in New Zealand, and he intends to take 25 dogs from New Zealand to Honolulu. Mr MTvay states that dogs do not breed true in Honolulu, and as there is no quarantine in Honolulu for dogs imported from New Zealand, be finds it convenient to buy dogs in this country rather than in America, for there is a long period of quarantine in Honolulu for dogs imported from the States.

Town Hall Renovations

A start has been made with the erection of the scaffolding at the Town Hall, preparatory to carrying out the repairing and cleaning of the exterior stonework. The work is being carried out by Messrs H. S. Bingham and Co., whose tender of £1452 was accepted by the City Council at its meeting last week.

Burnside Stock Sales An all round increase in values was occasioned by smaller yardings in the major sections of yesterday’s market at Burnside. Good quality was found in the fat cattle offered, a consignment of exceptionally prime heavy bullocks from Southland making to £l4 7s 6d. The sale opened with an average improvement of 15s per head on all classes, except best bullocks, which made 20s per head better , than last week’s values. This was maintained to the close. Extra prime heavy bullocks sold to £l4 7s 6d, prime heavy £9 to £ll, medium £7 10s to £8 10s, light £0 to £7, best cows and heifers made to £8 7s 6d, others £4 to £O. Some outstanding wethers were included in an unusually small yarding of 1000 fat sheep, the quality throughout being much better than in recent sales. Right from the commencement butchers bid keenly and all classes, particularly best ewes, participated in the general opening rise of 5s per head on last week’s rates. Outside buyers were present, but. were unable to secure consignments in face of the strong local competition. In spite of the small yarding, however, prices did not hold till the close, and over the last two races ewes sold at 3s and wethers at 2s 6d less than the opening rates. Extra prime heavy wethers made to 39s 6d, prime heavy 25s to 295, medium 20s to 245, light 15s to 19s, best ewes sold to 31s 6d, medium 21s to 24s 6d, light ewes 15s to 18s. An exceptionally small yarding was forward in the store cattle section. The entry included only two pens of steers, and these were keenly competed for at prices which showed a slight advance on late rates. Vealers were in short supply, but on account of the poor quality there was no alteration in prices. The balance of the yarding comprised graziers’ and boner cows, and these sold firm at late rates. The large entry of dairy cows consisted mostly of poor quality. Only young cows and heifers close to profit were inquired for, and old cows and late calvers were practically unsaleable. In the pig section little change in values was noticeable. The entry was comprised principally of porkers, the best of these realising £2. Baconers sold well at late rates. A larger offering of store pigs met with an improved demand, prices for suckers ranging from 8s to 16s, and larger stores selling to 245.

The Gambling Spirit At a meeting of the Council of the Otago Christian Endeavour Union the following motion was carried unanimously:— “This meeting enters a strong protest against the deplorable means which are being used to raise mctaey in connection with the Queen Carnival, as such gambling spirit, being essentially anti-Chris-tian, anti-social, and anti-economic, saps the character and must do irretrievable harm to the moral life of our community, and especially to that of the young people.”

Community Singing To-morrow will be Choir Day at the weekly community "sing,” which will be held at the Empire Theatre (by courtesy of the management), arrangements having been made to reserve a small block of seats down the centre aisle for members of all choirs who may wish to take part. Miss Rita Holmes will render her usual indispensable service at the piano, and the leader, Mr W. R. Sinclair, will have associated with him, during part of the hour, Mrs R. S. Black, the “ Cinema ” Queen. By request, Mrs Black will sing the favourite old ballad “ The Old Rustic Bridge." Listeners-in seem to have a partiality for hymns, for requests, each accompanied by a donation of 10s for the Mayor’s Unemployment Relief Fund, have been made that the hymns “ Dear Lord and Father of Mankind’” and “Eternal Father, Strong to Save ” should be sung. The rich accompaniments on the Christie organ by Mr Knight Barnett, who will be at the console to-morrow, no doubt account largely for the effectiveness of the hymn singing. Those who enjoy the singing by radio are invited to send in contributions to the Relief Fund, addressing money or goods to the secretary, c/o Chas. Begg’s, or to the Empire Theatre. Patrons are asked to make use of the Moray place entrance.

Commercial Travellers’ Entertainers Since their resuscitation some months ago the Commercial Travellers’ Entertainers have been busily engaged in concert work, the proceeds of which have been devoted to various charitable objects. Entertainments have been held in the country and at different charitable institutions, and during the present month arrangements have been made to visit orphanages and homes throughout the city and in the country with the object of bringing some cheer into the lives of those who deprived of the pleasures that are enjoyed by the average person. A commencement will be made this evening at the Montecillo Home, and the next few weeks have been allotted a full round of engagements.

“ Stop When the Dogs Bark ” While most persons requiring the services of the St. John Ambulance can give definite and easily followed instructions to the driver as to where he is to call, it not infrequently occurs that very vague and complicated messages are received, but one that was sent yesterday morning to the Fire Brigade headquarters by a doctor who was attending a patient at Ravensbourne almost reached the limit so far as indirectness was concerned. The message ran as follows: —“ Turn off main road at monument; go around Harbour terrace; turn up Junction road into Hill street; proceed a short way along Hill street; turn down Stuart street; go along and-turn into Ros s street, then turn up Athol place into Hill street again; drive a short way, turn into Albany street, and stop when the dogs bark.” Had the message come from a less authentic source the driver would probably have regarded it as a hoax, but it seemed to be genuine enough, and he decided that the only thing to do was to follow the instructions to the letter. This he did, and on turning into Albany street, he had arrived opposite a certain house when he was greeted by the loud barking of half a dozen dogs, which rushed out into the street. He stopped there, found that he was at the right place, and collected his patient.

Was It a Nightingale? Was it a nightingale that a Riccarton man heard in Hagley Park, opposite Haglcy street, about midnight on Monday? asks the Christchurch Sun. He thinks it was. He swears it. was. No other bird, He eays, co«ld have that flutelike note, those trilling effects. He has two witnesses who heard the bird too. They also say it was a nightingale. He first heard the bird about midnight. He sat entranced, listening, even as John Keats listened to the song that inspired his immortal ode. For half an hour tho carolling continued. And then a strange thing happened. The other birds in the park awoke to life, and burst into fullthroated song, as if to provide a chorus for the melodious stranger. Upon the still night air the notea rose and fell, weaving a pattery of melody. That is what this Riccarton man heard in Hagley Park on Monday night, about midnight. Was it a nightingale?

City Police Court At the City Police Court yesterday, before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., Edward Gillespie was charged with the theft of three gold watch chains, valued at £l7 4a 2d, the property of William James Paterson. The accused, who pleaded guilty, was, on the application of Detective Sergeant Nuttall, remanded till Saturday morning, to enable the police to make further inquiries.

Chimney Fire

The City Fire Brigade turned out at 9.25 yesterday morning in answer to an alarm from Clyde street, where a chin*ncy was on fire. No damage was r ®* ported.

East Taieri Ex-pupils’ Association At a meeting to prepare for th* eightieth anniversary of the opening of the East Taieri School, Mr William Allan exhibited a small minute book containing a record of a meeting of residents on November 5, 1852, to discuss the opening of a school. Later on an agreement, dated September 7, 1873, between the first teacher (Air Debbie) and the committee was entered into, Air Debbie agreeing to enter upon his duties the following month —October. Mr Proudfoot was the builder of the school. There is a record also of a letter to Captain Cargill, asking for permission to cut the timber for the erection of the school in the big bush (now Alosgiel) in preference to Saddle Hill. The association will again meet on September 26 to make arrangements for the jubilee celebrations on November 3,4, and 5.

Increased Demand for Timber

It is generally considered that the state of the building trade is a fairly accurate index of the financial position •

of the community. It is, therefore, significant that timber merchants state that during the past month or so there has been a greater demand for timber than during any corresponding period within the past two or three years. It is emphasised that the trade is as yet anything but buoyant, and the demand is nothing like that of normal times, but the fact that an improvement has been recorded is regarded as of considerable importance, and prospects for a further increase in orders are considered bright. The opinion was expressed by one timber merchant yesterday that once the work on the Post Office contract is actually under way the resultant gain in confidence on the part of the business public will be reflected very favourably on the building trade.

Aeroplane’s Narrow Escape The new Robinson Redwing aeroplane, at. present in use at Hokitika, had a lucky escape from crashing on Tuesday, when it collided with the transmission lines of Westland Power, Ltd., where they cross the Hokitika River at Kanieri. The three conducting wires, composed of steel cord and copper, were severed, but the aeroplane did not get out of control, and although slightly damaged, was able to return to its aerodrome, three miles distant. The electric current supply was cut off for 28 minutes.

Moagiel’s Water Supply The Mayor of Mosgiel (Mr A. F. Quelch) referred to the local water supply last night at the monthly meeting of the council. He said that under the unemployed scheme, the pipe line, which had become encrusted and in some places contained gravel, was being cleaned. Several curves were being eliminated, and when the work was finished it was hoped a greater volume of water would be obtained. Whatever might be decided on for an increased supply at the intake, the pipe line would be in readiness to carry it.

Mosgiel Post Office At last night’s meeting of the Mosgiel Borough Council, a letter was received from the Postmaster-general (Mr A. Hamilton) declining the council's request for a new post office, or increased facilities for the present one. The Mayor (Mr A. F. Quelch) eaid that 16 years ago a site for a new post office had been purchased, the department thus admitting the necessity. A new post office was badly needed. There was no privacy for the transaction of business. All matters had to be attended to over a very small counter in the eyes of all whose business took them to the vicinity of the counter. The Postmaster-general’ said he had noted the council’s opinion, and this would receive consideration.

Recurrence of Sleepy Sickness Sleepy sickness, encephalitis lethargic*, has broken but again in the Hbkianga district, two cases, one of them fatal, having occurred. A Native child, Matthew Cook, aged 2i years, in the Taheke settlement, was ordered to the Eawene Hospital by Dr Smith, of Rawene, late on Thursday night bf last week, but died before he could be moved. The second patient is a Maori child named Rawiri, aged nine years, who lives at the Waima settlement. The case was reported on Friday, when the disease had not reached such an advanced stage as in the other case. The patient was removed to hospital in a serious condition, but latest reports indicate that he is showing signs of improvement. The local health authorities (says the New Zealand Herald) have decided not to impose any restrictions on account of this outbreak, but if any further cases are reported the measures taken to prevent the spread of the disease three weeks ago will again be put in operation. Zane Grey as Critic

Some uncomplimentary remarks concerning New Zealand and the reception accorded to Americans were made by Mr Zane Grey on his return to California from his last fishing trip to the South Seas. “ I would not advise anyone to visit New Zealand at this time unless absolutely necessary, and this is also a good time to stay away from Tahiti,” Mr Grey said in an interview in the Pasadena Star-News. He explained that the majority of New Zealanders blamed the United States for the depression. Americans were not very well treated, although men in official circles generally were cordial. Failure to cancel war debts and cheapening the dollar were responsible for the feeling. New Zealand has been hit badly by the recession in trade,” said Mr Grey. “It appears that seven out of every 10 men are out of work. The export trade of the country has dwindled to a small fraction of what it was a few years ago. Exporting of butter and lambs, the great surplus of Zealand, is almost at a standstill. Hence Americans get the cold shoulder almost everywhere.” Exception to the remarks was taken by Captain A. Bullock-Webster, a New Zealand resident in California. Ho denied any general feeling in New Zealand against Americans, or that New Zealanders held America responsible for the world depression.

The Methodist Central Mission will hold its annual spring fair to-day and Friday of this week in the Stuart Street Hall. A. E. Blakeley and W. E. Bagley, dentists, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 12-359. —Advt.' Note our new address for Electrical Goods, Repairs, and Fishing < Tackle is 36 George street. —Barth Electrical Supplies, Ltd.—Advt. Save your eyes. Be wise, and consult W. V. Stunner, optician (2 Octagon), thus conserving good vision for old age.—* Advt.