The object of the party was to explain to the girls the plans which the new girls’ department has arranged for them. The members of the girls’ department committee were the hostesses for the evening, and Miss M. Hercus, the chairwoman of the committee, welcomed them in a happy little speech. The first part of the evening took the form of an entertainment. Items were rendered by Mrs Evans, Misses Davidson, Owen, Cormick, Smith, Thompson, Lyon, the Woodhaugh Hearthfire, and four girl members from Trinity Church. Miss Marjorie Black, girls’ department secretary, explained the Hearthfire system, which is to be the chief activity of this department. A group of Hearthfire girls gave a demonstration of a weekly council of a Hearthfire. The Hearthfires stand for happiness, health, home-making, and helpfulness. The Hearthfires meet in weekly councils, and at these councils the girls are taught everything a girl ought to know, and have the jolliest times into the bargain. The Hearthfire pledge is: "I promise that, wherever I may be, I will do my best to be contented, to be courteous, to give service, to hold on to health, to think, to be trustworthy, and to reverence God."
• During his visit to Central Otago the Minister of Public Works, Hon. Mr Fraser, inspected the railway line between Clyde and Cromwell. The plate-laying is now completed for two-thirds of the distance, and most of the earthwork from that point to Cromwell is finished. It is intended to put more men on the plate-laying at an early date. The Minister also went to Chatto Creek to view the line of the irrigation race, which is to carry water from the Manuherikia River down the valley towards Clyde and Alexandra. The most important part of the work is the intake from the river by means of a tunnel and two or three miles of a race out in somewhat rocky and precipitous country. The work is progressing apace, but the tunnel will take six months yet to complete. Mr Fraser informed our reporter that a certain number of men will be transferred from the Ida Valley works to Chatto Creek, but he refused to name the probable date of the completion of the scheme. It depends on the money and labour available.
• The task of evolving order from chaos at Messrs. Thomson and Co,’s premises at Invercargill, after the recent fire, was advanced materially on Thursday (says the Southland Times), when members of the fire brigade and the firm’s employees worked strenuously at the cleaning-up process. Early in the day the high brick wall separating the bond store from the manufactory toppled over towards the street, and several of the workmen were within an ace of being caught by the falling mass. The rear wall, which was the cause of so much anxiety on Wednesday, is now amply stayed and quite secure. The fire still flickers amongst the debris, the removal of which further reveals the destruction wrought by the flames. One lead of hose was in use all day on Thursday, and two brigades-men stood guard over the ruins throughout the night. When seen by a reporter, Mr J. B. Thomson, the firm’s local manager, appeared very hopeful. The inconvenience which the outbreak has put Messrs. Thomson and Co. to is, of course, very great. Nevertheless, by working their small Gore plant at top speed and keeping the Dunedin manufactory going at high pressure, the firm is sanguine of being able to supply customers’ requirements. New stocks of wines and spirits will be obtained; and the only branch of its business which the firm will be compelled to modify for the time being will be the handling of wholesale groceries. Temporary premises will be secured immediately, and the management is already negotiating for a new plant, so that the firm hopes, before long, to be in a position to carry on its whole business as usual. — ODT, 11.11.1916.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
