PORT CHALMERS NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22122, 28 November 1933, Page 7

PORT CHALMERS NEWS

POLICE COURT At a sitting of the Port Chalmers Police Court yesterday morning, a first offender for drunkenness was convicted and discharged by Messrs J. Watson and N. Dodds, justices of the peace. QUEEN CARNIVAL Very keen interest is being shown in the queen competition being held to assist the Port Chalmers jubilee regatta. Each queen committee is organising suitable functions to be held almost every week. On Friday a street sale appeal will be made on behalf of the Citizens’ Queen. Yesterday the Citizens’ Queen (Miss Dorothy Smith) was at the head of the poll, with the Queen’s Drive Boating Club’s queen (Miss Leftwich) second, and the Port Chalmers Rowing Club’s Queen (Miss L. Neilson) third. The three queens are close, the margin separating them being very small. WORK AT THE DOCKS The dredge Otakou, after being docked at Port Chalmers, has come to Dunedin to complete her overhaul. The Otakou will probably resume dredging in the Lower Harbour to-morrow. The Timaru Harbour Board’s dredge 350, which is undergoing extensive overhaul at Port Chalmers, is expected to leave for her home port at the end of this week. The most extensive overhaul work has been in connection with the top tumbler and the gear under it. PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE The monthly meeting of the Port Chalmers Progressive League was held last night. Mr W. G. Love presided. A letter was received from the town clerk stating that the matter of making improvements to the embankment near the children’s playground and the bowling green had been left in the hands of Crs T. P. Mackie and L. P. Smith to meet members of the league and give effect to any decision which may be reached. The chairman said it was very satisfactory to know that the efforts of the league were bearing fruit. It was also pleasing to know that the leagde was receiving every support from the council. It was also very gratifying to know that the Railways Department had decided to make improvements at the Mussel Bay x station. The improvements were badly needed. The league, he thought, was justifying its existence in many ways. It was also satisfactory to know that conveniences would be provided at the children’s playground. In regard to the improvements to the bank near the bowling green, Or T. P. Mackie had n good idea as to what was required, and he intended to bring suggestions before the council. There was a large amount of stone lying near the bank, and this would be used to good purpose. The district traffic manager advised that the matter of the 8.35 a.m. express from Christchurch to Dunedin making a stop at Port Chalmers had been carefully 'considered, and it was regretted that the league’s request could not ae complied with. It was pointed out that in order to make this extra stop the schedule of the train would have to be considerably altered, and this was not possible without increasing the running time of the train, and thus causing inconvenience to through passengers. The position of several members of a family who may be travelling and who did nor wish to go' to Dunedin was appreciated, but to ensure that the traiu referred to be run to a fast schedule, the stops had to be reduced to au absolute minimum. —The chairman said the stop could be made without interferring with the schedule running of the train to any extent. It was a necessary stop, and people who desired to leave the train at Port Chalmers should be considered, —It was decided that no further action be taken in the meantime.

It was mentioned that the top end of George street was badly in need of tar scaling, and that the league should bring this matter before the council.—The chairman said the council would, no doubt, tar seal the street when money was available. It was decided to write and thank the council for the improvements made r.t the new cemetery.—The chairman said the improvements carried out had made a great difference to the general appearance of the cemetery, and the league appreciated the efforts of the council. Several members referred to the great inconvenience caused to Mussel Bay residents by sand being blown from the recreation area.—The chairman said the sand, when carried by a strong wind, penetrated houses and bedding, and residents had complained of the difficulty experienced in removing sand from blankets. It was decided to write to the council and ask that body to request the bus manager of the Railways Department to provide covers for luggage carried at the rear of the buses. —The chairman said that at the present time luggage carried by the buses was exposed to rain and dust. Ho thought the department would accede to the request if approached through the council. It was mentioned that Beach street beyond Wiseman’s sheds was dangerous to traffic owing to the presence of pipe lines leading from the dredge Vulcan. It was stated that a visiting motorist from Dunedin almost met with an accident there recently, as he was under the impression that the road was- clear.—lt was decided to write and ask the council to erect notice boards advising drivers of vehicles that Beach street was blocked beyond Wiseman’s.