Queens Gardens bus stop assigned

The following recommendations were made by the General Committee of the City Council at last night’s meeting, in relation to bus stands: That a stand for all south bound buses, with the exception of those buses running to Brighton and Taieri Mouth, be appointed on the eastern side of High Street, abutting on the Queen’s Gardens, the first vehicle on the stand to take up a position 20 feet south of the Cumberland Street intersection; the rank to extend in a southerly direction to a point in line with Queen Victoria’s statue; all buses on the rank to face in a southerly direction and stand one behind the other close to and parallel with the kerb, and no bus to remain on the rank for a longer period at any one time than 30 minutes.

Even grander

Extensive alterations and improvements to the Grand Hotel are very near completion and the work which has been carried out has altered the lay-out of this popular house considerably and very much to the benefit of patrons. The first alteration was the making of a new entrance through what had been a florist’s shop in the High street frontage. Coincident with this the lift was shifted from the other side of the building and installed next the new office. By this means guests are given privacy, as both lift and stairs lead to the living portion without touching the public part of the house.

The original light well has been turned into a tastefully furnished lounge with a beautiful coloured leadlight in the centre. This gives light to the hall below, but effectively separates the two portions of the house.

Another important improvement is the installation of an up-to-date steam heating system throughout the premises. The kitchen equipment has also been revised and a big new island range and steam cookers installed. The whole of the lavatory and bathroom accommodation has been modernised and extended. The final touch to the structural alterations is being made now with the erection of an imposing hanging verandah running round the front of the building. When this is completed it will greatly enhance the commanding appearance of the hotel on the corner of High street and Princes street. Mr J.A. Salmond, of the firm of Salmond and Vanes, architects, was responsible for designing the improvements, and Mr J.H. Shackell supervised the refurnishing of the house. Tho total amount expended is over £18,000.

Marked progress

Yesterday marked another important advance in the progress of the railway from Lawrence to Roxburgh when the Beaumont-Miller’s Flat section was officially opened. The first public passenger train to pass over the new line left Lawrence at 9am and Beaumont shortly before 10am, reaching Miller’s Flat at a quarter to 11. 

The new line passes up the Molyneux Gorge. The first extension of the railway from Lawrence towards Roxburgh was completed to Beaumont some 10 years ago. The present section from Beaumont to Miller’s Flat was put in hand at the end of July, 1921, so that the distance of 11 miles 70 chains has taken four and a-half years to complete. The section has not presented any serious engineering difficulties, and the grade is fairly level. Here are no tunnels. There are three flag stations named from the Beaumont end — Craig Flat, Rigney and Minzion.  — ODT, 17.12.1926