A conference had recently been held in Rangitikei between representatives of local bodies in the district and of the Automobile Association to consider this matter, and he suggested that the clerk write to the Rangitikei County Council for a copy of the report of the proceedings. A motion to this effect was carried, Cr Kirkpatrick remarking that from inquiries he had made he did not think the motorists would object to the imposition of a small tax.
• The statutory meeting of the Stewart Island Tin and Wolfram Lodes was held at the registered office, 26 Dowling Street, on Friday evening. There was a good attendance of shareholders. The provisional chairman of directors, Mr W. I. Bolam, presided, and explained to those present the progress of the company. Work had been commenced at Pegasus, and was progressing satisfactorily under the supervision of the company's consulting engineer, Professor Waters. Mr J. P. Smith, M. I. M. E, had been appointed manager, and had taken up his quarters at Pegasus. The Government has sent the Inspector of Mines down to make a report on the properties ... 550 to assist in the construction of the tramway has been authorised by the Government as a result. The directors' report was read and adopted.
• The Telegraph Department has nearly completed arrangements for the inauguration of the new telephone service between Wellington and Auckland. Some construction work remains to be done before the service can be established on a permanent footing, but, by means of temporary arrangements (a Press Association message states), it is hoped to give a partial service within a month. The new double line for the service is 410 miles in length, and 150 tons of copper wire, valued at 15,000, are being used in the construction.
The lines will be used for telegraph as well as telephone work, and the necessities of the telegraph will curtail the use of the wires for conversational purposes. It is hoped, however, to assign two hours during the day and the greater part of the night to the telephone service. The charges for this long-distance talking are not yet fixed. - ODT, 26.2.1913.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
