During the same week the 5.15pm (no, 5.20pm) Dunedin-Mosgiel train was five minutes late in arriving at Green Island on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Not a bad record for one week!
Now, what I desire to say is that the 8.22am Mosgiel-Dunedin train ought to run dead to time every day, as many passengers are dependent on its arrival to time to reach their work at 9am. I am, etc, ‘Midland’ Midland- .
Massey’s budget woes
Money was the main want of most of the deputations that waited upon the Prime Minister yesterday morning, and some of them called forth some decided statements.
When he was replying to the deputation from the Plunket Society Mr Massey said, inter alia; "I am supposed to protect the interests of the taxpayer, to see that the public finances are expended for the best value, and on the other side I am supposed to provide money for each section of the community that comes along and asks for it. I have received sufficient applications for money to absorb the whole of the year’s revenue. I cannot do the impossible. I am pledged to reduce taxation, and’’ (with emphasis and fist on the table) "I am going to reduce taxation. The first duty of the Government is to get the country back to normal as soon as possible."
At a later stage Mr Massey announced that 10,000 politicians were howling at him for extravagance.
"I am sorry I said it," he remarked when, during the hearing of the next deputation, the Rev Curzon Siggers reminded him that he had said the country was emerging from its difficulties.
The smile that accompanied the words belied the statement.
Wrens paint shop damaged
Extensive damage was done yesterday to the stock on the premises of Messrs J. Wren and Co, painters, in Princes street south through a fire breaking out in the top flat of the building.
The City Fire Brigade was on the scene without delay, and succeeded in suppressing the outbreak by 1.50pm — about 35 minutes after it occurred. The damage is expected to amount to some thousands of pounds, as, in addition to the loss of stock the roof has been burned somewhat.
The fire started on the top (second) flat in the centre of the building nearest the Empire Hotel. A member of the firm saw smoke issuing into the lower shop, and immediately sent in an alarm to the City Brigade.
The fire then had a firm hold, the stocks of wallpaper and other flimsy material providing fuel for the flames. The brigade, under Superintendent Napier and Deputy superintendent Salmon, arrived with two machines, and two leads of water were brought into operation a few minutes after the alarm had been sent in.
The brigade worked the two lines of hose to the very best advantage and quickly had the outbreak under control.
The firemen had an unpleasant task in extinguishing the flames, as they had to contend with dense, acrid smoke when playing the water on the fire. — ODT, 8.6.1923
Compiled by Peter Dowden
