NEWS IN BRIEF.

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 41

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Ihe Finance Committee turned down, in the meantime, a iretition from some of the board’s employees to participate in the benefits of the superannuation fund on the lines of the council’s fund. An eight-roomed wooden house in Wakefield quay, Kelson, owned and occupied bv Mr Pa tton, -was destroyed by fire on the 26th nit., together with its contents. The owner was away at the lime. Mrs Patton and three young children escaped in their night attire. The chairman and members of the Wairoa Harbour .Board visited Waikokopu Harbour works on the 24-th, and interviewed the engineers regarding next year’s operations. In rune months, with ciude appliances, the depth of water over the whole basin has been increased 3ft, and it is estimated that vessels will be able to berth at the wharves 12 months hence. Hr Thacker does not agree with the criticism that the present Government imported coal to New Zealand to break the juice or to make the miner work. The worthy doctor has his own ideas on this question. The coal, he says, was brought to get cargo to this country to ships that would otherwise not have come here to take away our prime products. Consequent upon a reorganisation of the Dunedin Drainage Board’s staff, and with the view of economising, it was decided by a bare majority of the City Council to adopt the Works Committee's report, which, in effect, is tantamount to Mr Butcher’s engagement, after some 16 years in the employment of the council, being terminated. Three months’ notice on full pay was recommended and adopted. A very hcaitiiy state was disclosed at the recent annual meeting of the Port Chalmers Yachting Club, the report stating that the membership was now 52 active and 43 honorary members. Financially the club, despite a heavy outlay, was in credit £l4 10s 7d. The committee, thanks to their member, Mr Wiseman, was instrumental In bringing the Sunders Memorial Cup to Dunedin. Mr J. M. Stevenson was elected commodore for the incoming year, together with a strong committee, with Mr F. Percy secretary and treasurer. Mr H. B. Hall, architect. Timaru. has made an examination of Lake Tekapo as a source of an electricity supply. Taking a new lino, he finds that after leaving I.ake Tekapo the river takes a turn, and three miles from the outlet approaches the lake again, and is only one mile from it. To tunnel this distance would give a fall of 80 feet, which with a minimum lake discharge of 4000 ensues, would give 30.00-0 horse-power at the Francis turbines. Tie proposes aerial transmission at 55.000 volts via Mackenzie Pass (15 miles), then 40 miles to Timaru. He estimates the tunnel, power house. and transmission line at £4OO-090 ; reticulation to every house in the flisiriot, £24' .',OO0 — A total of £4O per horsepower. This is the firsr time Lake 'Tekapo has been approached for a low-pies sure power scheme.