QUEENSTOWN NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 19540, 2 May 1925, Page 10

QUEENSTOWN NOTES

NEWS OF THE WEEK. (From our Correspondent.) Mr Robert Smith, a wholesale draper of Invercargill, who makes regular visits to Glenorchy, Head of Lake Wakatipu, met with a serious misfortune last Wednesday. He had just opened up a large quantity of drapery and fancy goods in the local hall, which is situated opposite the Earnslaw Hotel. On the previous day he did a certain amount of business, and he locked up the hall for the night at 5.40. There had been no fire used during the day, nor had any one been using lights or smoking, but extraordinary to relate, the hall took fire very early on Wednesday morning, and it was a mass of flame before an alarm was given. As there was no water or firefighting appliance available the place was burned to the ground. Mr Smith was a heavy loser, as he had no insurance on his goods. The hall, which belonged to Mr Groves, a former owner of the Earnslaw Hall was insured in the Phoenix Insurance Company for £7O. It was used *or all public and social functions, and being the only building of this kind, will be greatly missed. It is interesting to state that the place was the first hotel built during the palmy days of the goldfields. The cause of the fire is shrouded in mystery. An enquiry is to be held but it is doubtful if any clue will be established. According to the circumstances it would look like as if an incendiary had been at work. ANZAC SERVICES.

On Anzac Day (25th April), the brave deeds and fearful sacrifices made by our boys at Gallipoli exactly ten years ago, were commemorated in a worthy manner. A united service was held in the Garrison Hail in the morning, in which all denominations took part. In the evening a service was held in St. Peter’s Church, when the Rev. A. S. Bishop delivered an appropriate address. The speaker in the morning was the Rev. P. Robertson. Several wreaths were placed on the soldiers’ memorial in the morning. ELECTRIC LIGHT CHARGES.

A special meeting of the local Borough Council was held last week for the purpose of revising the charges for light power. At the present time a uniform charge of 8d for the first 15 units, 5d for the next 15 units, and 3d for any further units is being made, subject to a rebate of 2d per unit if paid by the 20th of the month. The revenue from these charges, however, is not sufficient to meet interest cairns and sinking fund. The Council had to borrow £4OOO in addition to the £7OOO obtained in the first instance so that a greater income was necessary to make ends meet. Part of the deficiency was made up by the imposition of a rate of one shilling in the £. The Council made a mistake in the first instance in not making a minimum charge as this would have given a more assured finance. Several cottages in the town only use a very small amount of power; some houses are vacant for months. The owners only pay meter rent yet it will have cost the Council pounds to connect the places. No finality was reached at the meeting, and it was decided that the Town Clerk prepare a return of all connections made, the number of lights supplied, the heating and power points installed, the present average consumption, and the amount of revenue required to meet all costs. The Clerk is also to report on the scale suggested by Mr A. P. Aldridge. THE KAWARAU DAM. Close on 50 men are now employed on the Kawarau dam works. The actual putting down of the piers commenced nearly a fortnight ago, which necessitates the employment of many more hands. All the surplus labour in the district is now absorbed in this gigantic undertaking, and more men are wanted. The runholders are consequently finding it very difficult to get men for mustering. There is a tremendous amount of material on the ground, the strong sluice gates and bridge girder bulking largely in the medley. The steamer has to call at Frankton three times a week instead of only once in order to deliver all the equipment and other material.