Vital link to hydro

Something in the nature of a bombshell descended upon the members of the Southland Electric Power Board at the monthly meeting on Tuesday afternoon, when the Engineer (Mr H.P. Thomas) reported that the situation of the board’s suspension bridge over the Waiau River at Sunnyside was such that an immediate expenditure of £6000 was necessary to protect it from further damage. It will be remembered that during the time the Waiau River was in flood a few months ago the waters made such inroads into the banks on either side that the foundations of the bridge were considerably affected. The Engineer stated that his proposal was to build a wall above flood level in order to protect the bridge and its approaches from the scour that was taking place at that particular section of the river. Draft plans had been prepared after the necessary soundings had been taken, but on going into the cost he had been astounded to find that an expenditure of £6000 was involved. "I have," continued Mr Thomas, "been looking for an alternative so as to do the work more cheaply, because the initial cost of the bridge was approximately £11,000, and it might even be cheaper to remove the whole structure to a less dangerous spot."

Slur offends board members

At yesterday’s meeting of the Otago Education Board the North School, Oamaru, head master’s report read as follows: ‘‘Three Canterbury inspectors visited the North School on May 22 and 23. Chief Stuckey, who is chief inspector of Wanganui district and is temporarily stationed in Canterbury, and Inspector Haslam, formerly of Wellington, were scathingly critical of Otago school furniture. We are, they say, 30 years behind the times. As far us the criticism applies to the infant room I am afraid they are right, and the use of modern infant room methods necessitates flat floors and movable furniture.’’ The Chairman (Mr Wallace) said that if the inspectors were going to judge the quality of the furniture in their schools after an inspection of one school they showed mighty little judgment. The furniture in some of their schools was right up-to-date. Otago could always say that it was not a bankrupt board at any rate, and he knew that some boards could not say that. ("Hear, hear.") Mr Horn said that one or two of their schools ware pretty bad. 

The Chairman: ‘‘They have struck one of the worst of our schools.’’ If the North School head master’s report was correct he thought it was a piece of impertinence on the part of the inspectors who made it. There were some people who perhaps favoured the injunction to turn the other cheek when they were attacked, but not him. He wanted to hit back as soon as possible.

Local photographer

Great interest is being shown by passersby in some beautiful examples of high-class photography (one colour), the work of Mr Geo. Chance FRPS, of this city. 

Some of the photos have already been exhibited in the London Salon. 

The pictures are now being displayed in the windows of Mr H.L. Sprosen, Octagon.

Plated coin in restaurant

A man who is alleged to have tendered a silvered penny at a restaurant in the city for a two-shilling piece was arrested yesterday morning. He will be brought before the City Police Court this morning. — ODT, 19.6.1924

Compiled by Peter Dowden