Fair progress was made during the week, and several of the houses were removed, but an increased number of men were engaged yesterday, and the task of removing the seven, or remaining cottages, should proceed apace.
About a dozen men are engaged on this work, which, on the suggestion of the chairman of the Hospital Board (Mr Walker), is being carried out by day labour in order to benefit the unemployed.
When completed, the building will be an attractive structure, and, what is more important, it will meet what has long been a pressing requirement - that is, a home for the nurses that will give adequate accommodation and unity of control from the point of view of administration.
The new building will provide for the whole of the present staff, and will also meet the needs of the future for a good many years to come.
The rooms will be large and airy, and an open space in front will be utilised for a garden, while a tennis court will be provided at the side for recreation purposes. The home, when completed, is estimated to cost about 13,750.
• The Kaitangata coal mines established their record daily output on Thursday, with the splendid tally of 783 tons. It is understood that the nearest approach to this tonnage was something just over 700 tons.
The first train on Thursday left the town bound for Stirling with 346 tons of coal, which was distributed over 134 wagons.
The past two months have proved very busy in regard to mining, and it is little wonder that Kaitangata boasts a reputation as one of Otago's most valuable industrial centres.
• It is accepted philosophy that all things come to those who wait. Kaitangata has been waiting for some things for a fairly long time, and a gleam of hope has been aroused in the township by the fact that it is about to have more up-to-date means of communication with the main railway line.
The veteran coach driver, Mr A. Reid, has purchased a 60 horse-power Napier motor lorry, which he intends to run regularly.
The vehicle was previously the property of the company which plied along the Waikiwi-Wallacetown run (Invercargill). Mr Reid's purchase is a neat-looking lorry, and should prove a great success.
• The Catlins-Tahakopa railway line has now been advanced a further and a very definite stage towards completion, Mr J. B. Waters (secretary of the league) having been advised yesterday that the ballast engine working on the line had entered the railway yard at Tahakopa.
It was fairly generally anticipated that the line would be advanced to completion rapidly during the past few weeks, as the last few miles have had to be laid over fairly level ground. The official opening of the line will probably take place some time in September.
Residents of Bluff can relate exciting stories of the adventures of crews off foreign vessels in the past, but the sailors of the German liner Linden, which was at Bluff last week, were probably the best behaved foreigners who have ever visited Bluff.
The officers were also very popular, and during their visit made up a shooting party with a number of local sports, and shot over 60 rabbits in a morning. They also entertained a number of residents at a high dinner.
- ODT, 7.7.1914
