Untitled

Otago Witness, Issue 2983, 17 May 1911, Page 11

A deputation Consisting of Messrs Dickson, Fulton, and l Miller, members of the Portohfillo Road Board, waited on the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Marine, at the Grand Hotel on the Bth, being- introduced to the Minister by Mr E. H. Clark, M.P. The request of the deputation was that two small inlets, one at Portobello (an acre and a-quarter), and one at Macandrew's Bayfan acre and an eighth), be. vested in the Portobollo Road Board. The Hon. Mr Millar said ho saw nothing against the granting of the request, and on his return to Wellington .he would ascertain from the Crow,n Law Department if there was any legal objection. If everything was favourable, a local bill would be required to vest the two areas in the board. Mr E. H. Clark, M.P.j has received an intimation from the Hon. Mr Millar, Minister of Railways, that the improvements to the aiding at Evansdalc Railway Station are to be undertaken without delay. This is a work for which Mr Clark has agitated for a considerable time, and when completed, it will meet a want that hae long been felt by the farmers of the district. A conference of representatives of the Grand Lodges of Druids throughout Australasia was held in Melbourne on April 27. It was attended by delegates from the Grand Lodges of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia t Tasmania, the North Island of New Zealand, and the Otago and Southland District Grand Lodpre. The Queensland Grand Lodge and the Canterbury District Grand Lodge were unable to send delegates. Mr J. Mitchell (Oamra.ru). was the delegate to the conference from the Otago r,nd Southland District Grand Lodge. The main purpose for which the conference was held was to bring the various divisions into closer alliance, more particularly with regard to the -iicoeptanoe of members when removing from one jurisdiction to another. After free discussion, it was resolved to establish a Supreme Grand Lodge for'Aus-. tralasia as a oon.necting medium for the several States and districts, subject to at least five of the Grand Lodges and District Grand Lodges agreeing to enter. The dolegates undertook to recommend the acceptance of the fchenw to their respective bodies. The main objects of this Supreme Grand Lodge are uniformity of ritual, ceremony, and working, and a general recognition of the status attained by past officers. Another matter upon which an understanding was arrived at was in regard to members removing from cme jurisdiction to another, the agreement come to being such as to secure to brothers of the order full recognition, benefits, rights, and privileges, wherever tlhey may be located in Australasia. Authority was given to the Grand Secretary of Victoria to call the conference together again in May of next year. A Press Association telegram states that the opening- of the Eltham Municipal Gasworks, with a capacity of seven and a-half million feet, and costing about £IO,OOO, took place on the Bth. - A town hall, seating 950, and fitted with a stage, at a total cost of £4OOO, was opened on Monday nijjht. The Minister of Pr.blio Works was amongst thos© present.

A Tiroaru message states that the South Canterbury Education Board discussed on tho 9th 6foa practice of ■withdrawing Roman Catholic children from country school classes at certain times for religious instruction preparatory to confirmation. The board decided that practice should not be interfered with.