NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1979, 20 May 1919, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

From present indication* the iron (rail linking the West and East Coasts will not be in running order for possibly another four years, instead of the two years promised by the Minister of Public Works, That at least is the opinion of the Christchurch delegates who officially inspected the Arthur’s Pass tunnel. One mile seventeen chains of the tunnel require to he completed, hut this is the worst portion. One mile seven chains have been completed on the Canterbury side, and three miles one chain on the West Coast side.

A prominent Wellington architect gave a Post reporter (he following example of (he cost of building as accounting for the scarcity of dwellings in Wellington: “I have just received tenders for a live-roomed cottage. The lowest was £I,BOO. Six to seven years ago a dwelling of this class would have been built for £550 to £OOO. Result of the ItTwest or £I,BOO tender: No business. Quite beyond the client's moans.” Another architect says he accepted a, tender of £I,OOO for the erection of a similar house.

A striking exhibit was produced at a Wellington meeting of men and women who had served as special sanitary inspectors during the inlluenza epidemic. It was a teatowel with a notable record. The person who brought it to light said that it had come from a city restaurant, and in that restaurant it had wiped “clean” 150 plates, 150 cups and saucers, 150 knives, 150 forks, 150 large spoons, and 150 dessert spoons. The appearance of the rag bore out the accusations made against it.

Mr Hugh U. Thompson, a journalist well-known to the older pressmen of the Dominion, died at his residence al Wellington on Sunday, aged 71. lie arrived in New Zealand over 50 years ago, ami during the course of his journalistic career was associated with many newspapers, occupying (he editorial chair of the Independent, New Zealand Times, and Chronicle, in Wellington, and of (lie Christchurch Telegraph and Poverty Bay Herald. He was a cousin uf the late Lord Kelvin.

The subject of Church Union avus the basis of an interesting address by the Rev. ’ -James Milne, M.A., preaching tit the Presbyterian Church, Thames, recently. Details were giAen of the movement for union and the closer association of churches in America, England, Scotland, Canada., Australia, Smith Africa, and New Zealand, and the speaker Avas uf opinion that the movement so universal in Christen dmn and so characteristic, especially of English-speaking countries, came not a moment too soon. A League of Nations Avas being formulated. the bettor to preserve international peace: also the trend of events mu*ially showed that the Stale in every civilised community should shortly have to hear heavier responsibility in controlling industry and other matters relative to the Avell-being 'of the people. What could create an atmosphere strong enough ethically to make a League of Nations potent for good ? What could strengthen the State morally, to hear its growing burden of administrative responsibility? That answer to such questions was found in a more united Church to speak Avith stronger voice for righteousness.