Schooner recovery attempt

An effort was made on Tuesday by the staff of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, with the assistance of the tug, to bring across the schooner Annie Hill from Purau, where she has been lying at anchor for several months. An attempt was made to raise the anchor, but without success. The anchor had either become fouled or was very deeply buried in the mud. A further effort will be made in order that the vessel be slipped and made seaworthy before being transferred to the estuary at Sumner, where she will be used as a Sea Scout training ship.

Coasters push missing link build

Wellington, July 13: A deputation waited upon the Prime Minister and the Minister of Works today to urge on the work of completing the Glenhope-Inangahua section of the South Island railway. Mr H. Atmore MP explained the position, and said the gap was 60 miles. The Prime Minister said this work would be very difficult in parts. Mr Atmore suggested that unemployed should be placed on the gap. Other West Coast and Nelson members spoke. The Minister of Public Works stated that the matter would be considered when he was going through the Estimates and deciding on the railway works for the year. There was no doubt that it was difficult country, and what it was going to cost he did not know — probably a million. The engineers did not know whether to go straight into the difficult country or to avoid it. It was all rock and steep facings. He thought it was country that would stand, but it would be heavy going, blasting all the way through.

Mr Hudson: To the west of Murchison?

Mr Coates: Yes, beyond Murchison.

It was true that not much had been done, but they had under consideration the construction of huts and camps —  to accommodate more men. And more men would be available when Otira was finished. Mr Atmore: There are I am certain a number of unemployed who might be put on. Mr Coates said they had not heard much of unemployment in Nelson; in fact, the returns were nil. He would like to see this piece of line finished, and the different parts of the South Island joined up, and when they got the Otira tunnel finished and out of the way, he hoped they would be able to go on, and keep steadily on with this piece until it was finished. He knew it had to be done, but whether it would pay interest on the construction cost he did not know. However, with Christchurch at one end and Blenheim and Nelson at the other, it might turn out better than he expected. He could only promise that the Government would do its best in the circumstances.

Council explores all avenues

Good progress is at present being made by the reserves department of the city council with the planting of trees in the streets. This work has been completed in Sandringham street, St Clair, and is at present being carried out at Law street, Caversham, after which planting will be undertaken in Wilkie road and Kirkcaldy street, and Park terrace and Rawhiti street will be finished. It is expected that this programme will be completed by the end of next week. Tree-planting in the streets is a work that greatly enhances the attractions of a city, and in carrying it out the reserves department receives a valuable measure of assistance from the Amenities Society. — ODT, 14.7.1922