The outermost walls of the structure have risen to their proper height, and are crowned with the buttresses that form a distinctive feature of church architecture, giving some indication already of what the lower portion of the building will look like when completed.
A short distance inside these walls the main portion of the cathedral is being carried upwards on massive columns, and this part of the work is now in progress. A great deal of time has been taken up of late in the construction of the vaulting, or stone ceilings, over the aisles - a work that is quite a feature in itself and that is unique so far as the architecture of this country is concerned.
Another point of interest about the building is that the floors of the nave and the triforium or gallery, as well as the roof over the aisles, are of reinforced concrete, and, in addition, the latter is covered with neuchatel asphalt in order to render it absolutely watertight. In the finished cathedral there will be practically no wood work except the seats.
The contractor, who appears to have a very efficient plant for the handling and preparation of the stone used in the building, estimates that he has another 12 months' work ahead of him.
•The British and Foreign Sailor's Society entertained a number of men from the various ships in port at a picnic in the Woodhaugh Gardens on Monday. About 70 seamen and firemen of various nationalities responded to the invitation, and spent a very enjoyable day together.
Luncheon and tea were bountifully provided by Mrs and Miss Inglis and a band of willing helpers. Various games were indulged in, and during the afternoon an evangelistic address was given by Mr Harry Young, to which the men listened with close attention.
Before the company separated the National Anthem was heartily sung, and cheers given to the workers who had carried through the picnic. Mr Buchan (the seamen's honorary missionary), Mr C. H. Mathieson, and several members of the executive were present, and contributed to the entertainment of the guests.
The weather was perfect, and the Gardens were excellently suited for the gathering, which proved most successful.
•The Minister of Railways (the Hon. W. H. Herries) pointed out to a Hutt Valley deputation last week that the guards on the express trains had to handle the luggage, shunt trucks, keep waybills, and know the rules of the department from A to Z, besides having altercations with people who, especially when going into the King Country, took their liquor with them.
They could not expect women to do such work, and the ordinary man off the streets would not be of any use to work on the railways. Railway work was very different from tramway work.
Men could readily be trained as tramdrivers, and a man with very little experience could work as a tram conductor, but that was not the case with locomotive drivers and railway guards.
•Patea is evidently patriotic in a very high degree. A visitor was informed a few days ago that there were only five men between the ages of 20 and 45 left in the town - all the rest had gone to the war. Two years ago the population of the borough was over 1000.
- ODT, 12.4.1917
