Although the enrolment of individual students previous to the opening was not up to the former record, the number in attendance was greater than could be accommodated without considerable inconvenience.
As previously intimated, the practical classes will be taken in the new building but it is necessary that all students should first enrol at Moray Place, and this, no doubt, contributed to the congestion that took place.
On inquiry, we find that the director expects that by the beginning of next week the record of last year will be exceeded.
The electrical department in the new school is likely to be considerably extended next year, and it is therefore anticipated that the necessary foundation classes - physics and elementary science - will this year show a substantial increase.
In the new building there is a complete department for electrical engineering, a second for mechanical engineering, and a third for two distinct branches - physical science and chemical science.
• A remarkable instance of the fortitude of an old woman in the back country, not far from Gore, is being related to illustrate the hardihood and endurance of the earlier settlers in this part of the world.
It is stated that the old lady in question was engaged discing a paddock, when the horses became startled, the result being that she was thrown from the seat, and one of the discs, passing over her, cut a deep wound in her thigh.
She rose and stopped the horses, but until she noticed the blood from the wound was unaware of her injuries.
Procuring a coarse needle and some strong thread, she went, unassisted, to a neighbour's place and requested the lady of the house to stitch up the wound.
A remonstrance that the needle was old and rusty was made, but the sufferer merely suggested that ''it should be dipped in turpentine,'' in order to avoid any possibility of poisoning from the use of such a septic instrument.
Five stitches were made, and three days later the victim of the operation was taking light exercise by grubbing in the vicinity of her home.
• The first consignment of rabbits for this season's export trade left Clyde railway station on Monday morning, Messrs Tonkin and Co., shipping over 2000, which constitutes a record for the firm for a first-day catch.
The rabbits are in excellent condition, and there is every prospect of a good season.
The Mataura Ensign stated last week that the exporters at Mataura were in readiness for the season.
Indications pointed to its being very successful, as rabbits were plentiful.
It was understood that the opening price would be 7d at the works at which price rabbiters should make big cheques.
• A unique and interesting ceremony took place at the New Plymouth Bowling Club's green a few days ago, when an octogenarian member-Mr John Rawlings-was presented with a silver cradle, to mark the occasion of a son being born to him.
The cradle bears the following inscription:- ''Presented to John Rawlings, Esq., by members of the New Plymouth Bowling Club, on a son being born to him in his eighty-third year. February 15, 1914. 'Tis never too late to mend.'' - ODT, 26.3.1914.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
