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Wakatipu dam site busy

Wakatipu dam site busy

Rapid progress is being made with the construction of the piers of the Kawarau Gold Mining Company's dam. The first pier is almost completed, while a start has been made with the second.
The blasting operations in preparation for the third pier are also in hand. Two concrete mixers and up-to-date machinery have been installed, and about 65 men are working on the site. The five gates, forming part of the second shipment from England, are on the site, and are in readiness to be fitted when the piers are in place. The final shipment, including the remainder of the gates and gear, arrived in Port Chalmers last week, and it is expected that they will be on the site next week. Be prepared for exhibition
Among the manifold attractions of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition will be included one of unusual character in an assembly of Boy Scouts. All being well, there will be a large scouting pilgrimage, not confined to the dominion organisation. Arrangements are being made for the visit of a contingent from Australia, and the New Zealand Government is very properly giving material encouragement to the project.
It is seventeen years since Sir Robert Baden-Powell, happily inspired, started the Boy Scouts' movement, to which the Girl Guides' branch was subsequently attached. The enterprise quickly engaged public approval, and though it has had its incidental ups and downs, there can be little doubt that it is permanently established. - editorial Where rubber hits the road
The review of the operations of the City Council during the past two years, which was given by the Mayor on the occasion yesterday of his re-installation in office, necessarily covered the ground that was traversed by retiring members of the Council in their election speeches.
The period was one of progress in all respects, more particularly, it may be suggested, in the adoption by the Council of a policy of tramway extension. The extensions that have been approved leave still unsatisfied the claims of the residents in various parts for facilities of conveyance to and from their homes.
The opinion has been expressed that the system of electric tramway traction, modern although it may be said to be, will in the near future be superseded by other systems. That is a view that cannot be wholly ignored by the Council, though it may not be one that at present should greatly influence them since the Corporation itself supplies the power by which the electric service is operated and does so at a relatively low cost.
The introduction of motor buses which shall serve as feeders to the tramway service and also ''try out'' the revenue possibilities of additional extensions of the tramway system that have been suggested, has been an event of only the past few weeks, but it is interesting to learn from the Mayor that the bus service to the Anderson's Bay cemetery has already proved profitable. That being so, it is reasonable to suppose that a service of a similar nature to Maori Hill during the hours of the day when the traffic is heaviest would be not less profitable. The Mayor promises that the policy of the new Council will be one of advancement.
The personnel being substantially the same as that of the past four years, the community may anticipate that the affairs of the city will be conducted for the ensuing term upon the same lines as those with which it is familiar. — editorial
— ODT, 7.5.1925 (Compiled by Peter Dowden)
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Additional Wilding Conifers Funding For Molesworth Welcome
Additional Wilding Conifers Funding For Molesworth Welcome

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Additional Wilding Conifers Funding For Molesworth Welcome

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Wellington train satisfaction falls, record-high bus passengers
Wellington train satisfaction falls, record-high bus passengers

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Wellington train satisfaction falls, record-high bus passengers

Passenger satisfaction for Wellington's rail services has fallen for the third year in a row. Photo: RNZ / Krystal Gibbens Passenger satisfaction for Wellington's rail services has slumped for the third year in a row, while bus patronage is increasing. Metlink's annual passenger satisfaction survey shows 89 percent of all rail passengers surveyed were happy, down from 92 percent last year and 94 percent the year before. Just 58 percent of rail passengers on the Wairarapa line - which runs between Masterton and Wellington - reported being satisfied with services. Greater Wellington Regional Council's Thomas Nash said trains were not as reliable or punctual as they should be, due to significant maintenance and upgrades on the network. That, along with staff shortages on the Wairarapa line had caused train cancellations, and bus replacement services had been offered instead. Nash said it was clear passengers were frustrated. "It's not rocket science, we need to get the reliability up and for rail that means getting the assets in a condition where they will allow for reliable passenger services to be run by us on those tracks." Temporary speed limit restrictions on sections of lines were also causing delays. "They do mean that the timetable isn't as efficient as it could be, isn't as frequent as it could be. That kind of punctuality does matter to people." "I think if we can start clearing out the speed restrictions that are in place because of aging assets in the government's rail network, then we as the public transport authority running the trains will be able to provide a much more reliable and punctual service for people." He expected maintenance work to continue for years, but said the regional council was focused on improving reliability at peak times. "What we need to focus on is really making sure we protect those peak times - those morning and evening peak times - on the rail network and then we can say to people, hand on heart, if you turn up in the morning to get to work, and you're coming home in the evening we will make sure your train is running." Greater Wellington Regional Council's Thomas Nash says trains are not as reliable or punctual as they should be. Photo: Thomas Nash Greater Wellington regional councillor for Wairarapa Adrienne Staples said the council was committed to working with KiwiRail to improve reliability and prepare the line for new hybrid trains, arriving in 2029. "These upgrades are extensive, but they're essential to delivering the kind of service our passengers deserve. "Wairarapa passengers have been incredibly patient, and I want to acknowledge that it's not just closures affecting the line. Vibrations, speed restrictions, and most recently staffing shortages have all contributed to services falling short of expectations." The survey shows 94 percent of bus users are satisfied, an increase from last year. Metlink group manager Samantha Gain said the reliability of bus services had exceeded 99 percent this year. Bus patronage, too, was on the up, with a record-breaking 2.5 million passengers taking the bus in March, she said. She said she was "pleased to see continued high satisfaction across the network, especially with buses and ferries, and that passengers continue to report feeling safe both onboard and while waiting at stops and stations". The independent survey, involving 2711 respondents, showed overall satisfaction with Wellington's public transport network was at 93 percent. Nash said reliability was the key to determining satisfaction in public transport and in improving rail passenger numbers. "With bus we are at record-high reliability, and consequently record-high levels of patronage on the bus network. "Conversely, satisfaction with rail is down, because reliability on rail is down, and fewer people are now using the rail service." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Future Plan In Place For Waikawa Bay Foreshore Reserve
Future Plan In Place For Waikawa Bay Foreshore Reserve

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time07-08-2025

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Future Plan In Place For Waikawa Bay Foreshore Reserve

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