The motor char-a-banc which has been procured by the Mornington Borough Council, was landed ex Kia Ora on Saturday afternoon, and, if its behaviour during the run up Serpentine Avenue to the car-sheds may be taken as an index, promises to prove both reliable and useful.
The machine was built by the Albion Motor Company (England), at a landed cost of 890, and it is of 32 to 36 horse power, developing 20 miles on the level and 10 miles on the hills. It accommodates 25 passengers, and it is hoped to have it in commission within a fortnight. The time-table has not yet been definitely mapped out, but it is intended to run the char-a-banc on the Maryhill and Elgin road tramway routes.
• The weaving of mats, sowing of large crops of potatoes and kumeras, and the fattening of pigs and poultry, are in full swing at Te Arai just now (reports the Poverty Bay Herald), in preparation for a big hui that is to be held next March. It is expected to be the largest gathering of Natives ever held in the district, and some 10,000 will probably assemble, including Maoris from all parts of New Zealand. The main object of the gathering is to be the opening of the new Te Arai Church, which has been erected in place of the previous historic chapel that was destroyed by fire.
• The fierce southerly gale which raged on Friday continued without abatement all night, but moderated somewhat on Saturday morning, when the barometer began to rise, giving indications of a change for the better.
At daylight on Saturday the hills surrounding the city had a light coating of snow, but it did not lie long. The weather continued boisterous, with frequent cold showers, and it was not until late yesterday afternoon that the gale showed signs of having blown itself out, although heavy rain showers fell at short intervals during the day.
The gale and accompanying rain hampered shipping considerably, and occasioned a good deal of anxiety, but apparently no serious damage resulted. At 3 p.m. on Friday the defence launch Rahiri started from the Heads for Port Chalmers in the teeth of the gale, and took two hours to battle against it as far as Pulling Point. She was observed to be making very heavy weather of it, and dredge 222, which was returning after dumping a load of spoil outside, went to her assistance.
The dredge ran aground on the lee side of the cross channel, where she remained hard and fast until nearly midnight. The Plucky went to her assistance, and succeeded in getting her off. The dredge then sheltered for the night in Carey's Bay, and came up to town on Saturday morning. - ODT, 28.10.1912.
