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Otago Witness, Issue 3775, 20 July 1926, Page 47

The part of the Hardware Company’s premises which adjoins the converter station in Cumberland street has been purchased by the Electric Power and Lighting Committee of the Citv Corporation, and will now be used as a store room on the ground floor and a test room and meter branch on the upper flo- The buildings below Bell Hill, which were previously used for these purposes, will now be occupied entirely by the reticulation branch. Spring displays in drapers’ shops in Christchurch this year will be particularly attractive (observes the Lyttelton Times). Several firms have L„en, to some extent, hit by the strike in- England. Others are waiting for the arrival of vessel* to discover how far shipments are satisfactory. It is felt that there me h e been difficulty in getting goods to the vessels in English ports. On the whole, however, there is nothing >’*> to the present to show that spring shopper in Christchurch will have their range of choice curtailed. One Christchurch firm already is displaying alluring costumes from France, Italy, England, and America. A large part of these consignments came by parcel post. Tho Port Kembla, now ashore • San Salvador, one of the Bahama Islands, off the coast of Florid-**, is loaded with South Island goods. She was en route to Port Chalmers and Lyttelton direct. In view of the mishap, drapers are looking somewhat anxiously for news of her progress. It has been suggested (writes our Roxbourgh correspondent) that in connection with the unemployment question the widening of the main road from Roxburgh to the railway terminus at Hercules Flat might be undertaken at once, and thus give employment to men who are out of work. Surveyors have been over the road, and, under ordinary conditior», the necessary widening would not started for some time yet, but as this work has to be completed before the line can be used it would afford considerable relief in the present situation if it were begun now. In a few months the congregations at tho Christchurch Cathedral will hear the voluntaries and accompaniments to the services played on a thoroughly reconstructed and modernised organ (says the Lyttelton Times). The action of the present organ has been worn out for some time past, and a new action, which -ill extend the compaes of the instrument considerably, is to be installed. There is to be no "vandalism’’ and no destruction of a good thing, said Mr Eustace Ingram, whose firm has the work in band. “We ar* merely making the old organ tip to date. A few new metal pipes are being installed, and 14 of the largest wooden pipes, varying from 32ft. to 14ft, are being made locally, as the right class of timber is here on the spot. This would allow of a 32ft stop on the pedals. The action will be electric, and the reeds will be on a heavy pressure of wind, resulting in extra brilliance, although not necessarily more power.” A rotary blower is being installed. The whole work will occupy about three months. , A distressing sight was witnessed by a number of people in Cathedral square and in the vicinity of Chancery lane on Thursday morning (says the Lyttelton Times). With blood streaming from many wounds and abrasions about his face, n man, rigidly erect, walked apparently sightless. Every now and again he crashed straight into a wall, and each time his face suffered badly. People looked pitying at the unfortunate man, and apparently many thought that, he was under the influence of drink. It was obvious, however, that such was not the case. Nor could tho cause have been somnambulism, as the impact* made on the walls would hove awakened anyone. Probably the man wo* the victim of some seizure. lie was removed later by friends. At a meeting of the Dunedin City Council on Wednesday last a proposal for the acquisition of the Exhibition Art Gallery building aa a home for the city’s art collection was rejected by the narrow majority of ono vote—the voting being six to five. Cr Wilson has now given notice tf motion to rescind the decision arrived »t, and this will be discussed at the next council meeting, which will bo held on July 28. It is understood that the Mayor (Mr H. L. Taplev) and Cr Douglas, both of whom were absent from Wednesday night’s meeting will be present at the next mooting.