The idea is to obtain a portion of the Town Belt near George Street bridge to lay out a green, and perhaps a tennis and croquet lawn, but some of those present thought it would be better to obtain control over a privately-owned piece of ground instead of forming the green on a public reserve.
This phase of the question and other matters in connection with the project were thoroughly discussed by the meeting, and a report on this, along with other information which is to be collected by a sub-committee, will be laid for discussion before a public meeting. The attendance at this meeting is expected to give a fair indication of whether the residents consider that there is an opening in this locality for recreation of this description. From support already promised there does not appear to be any doubt in the minds of those who have the matter in hand that the verdict will be in the affirmative, and that the green will be formed before many more months have passed.
• Advice has been received by the Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board from the Hon D. Buddo (Minister of Public Health) to the effect that he has approved of the board's decision to erect a cottage hospital at Tapanui, with an infectious diseases ward in connection therewith. The plans of the proposed building have also been approved by the Minister, and it is understood that tenders for the erection of the hospital will be called for by the board immediately.
• In accordance with a recent decision, the members of the Reserves Committee of the City Council have, during the past week, been inspecting areas in the north end of the city which might be converted into public recreation grounds. It is understood that a large area of ground in the vicinity of the Normanby tram terminus has been placed under offer to the council for such a purpose. The question of its acquisition will come before the next meeting of the Reserves Committee.
• Up to the present work has been found for a small percentage of the men who ranked among the unemployed at the demonstration made at the Trades Hall on Monday morning. The Drainage Board has undertaken to provide employment for married men who are in most urgent need of work, and about 15 men were placed in private employment yesterday by the secretary of the General Labourers' Union. Six men are being sent on to the railway construction works at Cass this morning by the Government Labour Department, and there are still vacancies there for an additional number. No instructions have been received in regard to placing men on other railway or road construction works. There is plenty of farm work offering in the country, but evidently there is a prevailing preference for work about town. The commencement of shearing operations at an early date should, however, relieve the present situation to some extent.
• The steamer Camphill occupied 80 days on the trip from New York to Melbourne recently. This is a record for length. The vessel did not encounter any rough weather to speak of, the voyage lengthening on account of bad coal, loaded in successive quantities at Norfolk, St Vincent, Durban, and Bunbury. The previous record for a lengthy voyage was held by the steamer Florence Pile, which some years ago occupied 75 days on the trip to Melbourne. - ODT, 4.10.1911.
