There was, in fact, no escape from it if the harbour is to be maintained in a condition to admit of the safe navigation of it by overseas vessels of the draught of those that at present visit Port Chalmers - if, in other words, shipping that has been frequenting the port is not to be subjected to vexatious delays the occurrence of which might have the effect of raising the question on the part of owners whether they should continue to send their steamers to it.
The desirability of dredging the fairway to a greater depth remains a matter of future consideration.
In all the circumstances - those relating to finance as well as those bearing on the present requirements in respect of shipping accommodation - the board seems to have acted wisely in deferring any decision upon the policy of future dredging in the Lower Harbour.
The statistics which were placed before it by the engineer demonstrate that for the time being the depth to be secured by the dredging that is now to be undertaken will suffice to need the reasonable requirements of the case.
• The Wakatip Mail states that Mr T. W. Brebner, district traffic manager, New Zealand Railways, paid a visit to Queenstown last week and had a conference with the deck hands of the Lake Wakatip service in reference to the recent demands made by them for better treatment in relation to hours and wages.
It is understood that the men received little or no satisfaction, and were told that their representations would be forwarded to the general manager for his decision.
The men are therefore asked to continue on the same line as hitherto, awaiting the pleasure of the heads of the department.
Meantime there is considerable discontent among the staff, and it is feared that a crisis will result if certain concessions are not made.
Already two or three resignations are in, and there is talk of more following.
A representative of the Mail, speaking to Mr Brebner, asked that gentleman if he had any statement to make to the press.
He replied that the men of the Wakatipu service were working under the Shipping Union rules.
The deck hands of the service, he said, were treated better in relation to wages than those employed on ocean-going vessels, in that they received £8 10s per month, as against £7 5s.
The outcome of the men's demand is awaited with interest.
• An absolute attendance record was registered at the Otago Boys' High School yesterday, when the rolls were made up for the ensuing year.
About 170 new pupils were enrolled, and the total attendance is now set down at 437, the highest since the school was founded in 1863 by ordinance of the Provincial Council of Otago.
At the commencement of 1915, the roll number was 398, that being the record attendance to that date.
The difficulty which the High Schools Board of Governors will have to face is to secure teachers for the large additional number attending the school, several of the staff having already left for the front, and it is stated that there may be a necessity to employ female teachers.
An attendance record has also been set up at the Girls' High School, where the roll this year totals 244, as against 228 for the commencement of the terms in 1915.
The attendance this week at the Technical College is 271, which is practically the same number as at the corresponding date last year. - ODT, 10.2.1916.
