NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1925, Page 2

NEWS AND NOTES.

At the present rate of progress it is expected by the Public Works Department that the new tunnel which is being constructed at Lake Coleridge for the duplication of the hydro-elec-tric power scheme will be completed in .January or Eebruary next.—“Lyt teltoii Times.”

The Railway Department announces a eeiieral reduction in the rates on merchandise between i inxaru and Matmate ; remarks the ‘‘Lyttelton Times.”) Culler the present- reorganisation scheme the Railway Board is making strenuous efforts to render efficient service, always keeping in view the interests of the taxpayer, and there is evidence that no stone will he left unturned to achieve its aim.

As the plans for a concert hall have proved to be too elaborate and call lot an expenditure beyond the amount available, the Christchurch City Council decided to ask the Concert Hall ( oinmitteee to review the whole position tsays the "Lyttelton Times”). The committee reported that they had opened the tenders lor the erection of the C omen Hall, and that, in view of the fact that the tenders received were considerably in excess of the amount avaikPde. they recommended that no tender lie accepted.

A t the fall of darkness one evening last week the Bishop of Nelson raised a hearty laugh in the Anglican Synod room by announcing that a certain stipendiary magistrate, who might have had the joy of inflicting a penalty lor a breach of the by-laws, had forgone that pleasure and had just done the- bishop a good turn by switching on the lights of the episcopal ear parked on the street outside. ‘‘There are some kind people in the world yet,” remarked the Bishop. The laughter increased as several venerable and reverend gentlemen made a hurried exit front the building to save themselves front the same danger. Exchange.

At a recent meeting of Lite North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Banners’ Enion, Air F. A. Wagner ; Dovkiston) said that so far as the Ele-mero district was concerned the fanners' position was absolutely desperate. Most of the areas sown were under water and the wheat would have been a lot hotter in bags. A greatproportion of the wheat sown in heavy land-- would be useless. What wheat was already on in patches might he all right. The farmers in the district were absolutely pessimistic regarding getting their wheat in. They were of tlie opinion that the wheat now sown would rot in the ground.— '* Lyttelton Times.”

The big job of dismantling tli(» Christchurch Cathedral organ will start this month, hut the dismantling will still allow the organ to he played upon, though recitals will he out of the qiie.-tion (states the " Sun”). More than 200 of the 2233 pities in the organ will he sent to England to lx? “revoiced ” and coupled up with the new mechanism. and two stops will be involved. These stops can he cut out •when the organ is being played. Many of the old stop* arc irreplaceable, and so will be retainer!. The old keyboard has been used bv several notable musicians. and it is suggested that it should Eg preserved for sentimental reasons and placed in seme conspicuous place. That practice is followed largely iit England. The present Cathedral organ lias been considerably added to since its installation in the early 'oiitli I ivs.

One result of recent burglaries on liiulf Hill. Napier, is that suspicion is active, ami alarms many, says the "Daily Telegraph.” The other evening a man wim was seen running along :he road was pursued by three lawihidiug citizens who suspected their quarry's integrity, lie led them a nerry riar.ee. but apparently Ids haste ■ms meielv iiu-eii on a human desire V-‘ i a fell the next tram. At nnyrato he hretll bless pursuers did not arrest frliim. They watched him hoard the train, and then silently retreated up the hill.

A hoy about 13 years of age came iiefore Mr F. K. limit, S..M-, at the Auckland Juvenile Court on a charge of using obscene language (reports the "Star”). Mr Hunt told the father that in reporting on the youthful accused, the probation otiicer stated that he had a habit of using filthy language. “Now, which would you rather do. pay a fine if 40s or give this son of yours a good thrashingh” asked the Magistrate of the hoy's father. “Oh, 1 will give him a good hiding, I think.” replied the parent. Mr Hunt: “Very well. I will v. adjourn the case tor two weeks, and then if the probation officer reports that the hoy has had a good solid hiding, nothing more will be heard of the matter.”

The following letter has been forwarded by the secretary of the Otago Labour Representation Committee to the secretary of the Housing Commit- .... ~f |fie New Zealand and South Sea- Exhibition Company (reports the "Otago Daily limes"): "As a result

if complaints from persons renting rooms. I have been directed hv the Otago Labour Bepiv-eutalion Commitlee to draw the attention of the members of your organisation to the hardships t lull may he caused during the exhibition period by the displacement of nelsons who are at present renting rooms from householders. Some il tlie-e people have been notified ot 111 increase in rent on account of the householders believing that exhibition visitors will he nine profitable than present tenants. We do not wish to interfere in any wav with your arrangements. hut would .suggest that when approving ot accommodation it will he on the understanding that the rent should not he increased or the present tenants displaced.”