The Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark), who presided, in declaring the club open, said he had the honour of occupying the chair on what he hoped would be the inauguration of one of the greatest boons we have in the city of Dunedin, the Soldiers' Club.
Everyone of them deeply realised the enormous debt of gratitude we in this land, as well as throughout the whole civilised world owed to those men who had sacrificed themselves and had given themselves to their country in the cause of righteousness and truth. - (Applause.)
They were proud of the offers made, and they were all proud of the magnificent manner in which these men had carried out the duties they were called upon to do, and we who were unable to take our active part in the battle were compelled by duty to do our very utmost for the men who had fought so well for us, and it was with the object in view of trying to do something for these men that this soldiers' club had been instituted.
• There was a general feeling of satisfaction at Teviot when word came through of the authorisation of the railway from Beaumont to Miller's flat.
While its construction is a matter that, under present conditions, cannot be looked for for some time, the authorisation is regarded as a significant step, and once conditions are again normal the Government will be expected to proceed with its construction.
The Lawrence-Beaumont extension, which came into operation last year, has proved itself a boon to all classes, and especially to fruit-growers.
Unfortunately for the latter, there is only one service during the day, and as the capacity is under 100 tons of all classes, there is every probability of fruit being left behind from day to day during the coming season.
Two applications have been made by the Fruitgrowers' Association for an additional service, but both have been refused.
• The new drill hall will come into use about November 1, and the Garrison Hall will then cease to fulfil a function which, as far as its limitations would permit, it has fulfilled for many years past.
All parades will thereafter be held in and about the commodious new hall, and this will do away with the necessity of hiring certain halls about the town, thus ensuring a saving.
The group commander will take charge of the new hall, and therein will be housed the Group XIII headquarters staff.
Offices are also provided there for the area officers and area sergeants-major.
The Otago District Headquarters Staff will still be located at St. Andrew street (by ''Sentry'').
• Evidence may sometimes be had, even in Dunedin, that the proverbial reputation of Chinamen for honesty is founded on solid fact.
A few days ago a lady lost a purse containing 3, some odd silver, and other personal valuables.
The loss was a serious one, and she decided to advertise for the purse.
The day the advertisement appeared she was very much pleased and perhaps a little surprised, to have the purse returned to her intact by an elderly Chinaman.
Probably she may consider herself fortunate that her property was found by a native of much-despised China. - ODT, 7.10.1915.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
