TOWN EDITION.

Newcastle : Arrived, Katoa from Auckland. > The recent fall of snow was a record m the Tiniroto distiict, boin^ especal.ly heavy m the township. It was still lying inches thick there yesterday afternoun, and settlers from the surrouud- ; ing district drove m tr> witness, the interesting and unusual sight.

. The Rev. L. Dawson Thomas, former I vicar of Holy Trinity parish, arrived by the Arahura* this afternoon. A social is being tendered to him on Friday evening at 8 o'clock, m the Parish hall, and friends from all denominations are invited to be present.

];■ '' J.ujrtgjjig .by the "booking to-day the interest taken m the competitions is keener t>his year than m any year past. The membership of the society has increased considerably, and 'it is anticipated that good houses will be secured ' throughout the festival.

j Programmes for the competitions ' festival which commences at 10 a.m. on Saturday, the 28th, m the Opera House, are now available at the office of the secretary, or at the local booksellers, or music shops. The programmes this •year will contain the words of all elocution test pieces.

The session of the Supreme Court which was to have been held at the end of this month will not now eventuate, word to this effect having' been received to-day by the Registrar (Mr J. S. Barton, S.M.) from the Chief Justice. Tho next sitting of the Court will be held on December Ist. 'All jurymen summoned for August 31st and September 6th are to be dis« charged from attendance.

The weekly meeting of the Gisborne Sttidy and D'scussion Society will be held m the Theosophical rooms, Lysnar's- buildings. Peel street, to-morrow evening, at 7.45. Tho subject will be one of great interest : "Our Hope of Immortality." Papers are to be read by, two of the members, after which thfc meeting will bo thrown open for questions and discussion. The public are invited to be present.

At a meeting of tho Tokomaru ' Bay Kugby "Ward, Mr J. G. Graham, president, being m the chair, it was decided that 18 players should be sent Avith the rep. team to play against Gisborno on the 26th, Napier on the 28th, and Hastings on September Ist. Mr Geo. Scott was nppbinted manager and Mr Erekana coach. Final arrangements were made for the ball 'to bo held on Tuesday night — the eve of the departure of the team by the Arahura.

Tho Cook County Council's engineer stated to-day that Avork on the Hanga-roa-Tiniroto road was being pushed along fairly well, and with the dfy weather" approaching additional contracts will bo let on this route. Jn consequence of recent wet weather the (Tisborne-Tolaga road was practically' impassab!o to motor traffic. With the fine weattier coming this road should improve suffic'entlv for motor traffic. The worst portion just now is between Pouawa and Waiomoko.

i A Port Awanui correspondent of the East Coast Watch writes: — Everyone is delighted at the arrival of the contractor for the Waiapu bridge, Wno quickly started operations under tlie skil'ed guidance of Mr. Nicol, of Canterbury renown. Ail preparations have been made for the arrival of 85 tons of cement, and after that comes the Avorking team will be increased ,to 80 men. An eye-opener to the public is the furnishing of a most modern plant m order to complete the structure by June ive'xt.

. Mary Pickford confided a new Charlie Chaplin story to Lady Desborough auring her week-end visit, and Lord Desborough retailed it with much gusto to guests at fhe Anglo-Saxon Club dinnerCharlie Chaplin, so the story went, was one day at a lair m the United States where the principal attraction was a competition as to who could. best imitate the ''Charlie. Chaplin walk." Thinking, there niight be a chance, the real "Charlie" entered the contest, but was lianiUcapped by the absence of his celebrated moustache and boots. He was. a most frightful failure (said Mary; as quoted »y Lord Desbbrough). and only came m twentieth!

| Mr. Arthur S-ceats, formerly of the clerical staff of the Gisborne Borough Council and later on the Poverty Bay Meat Co.'s staff at Waipaoa, has received an appointment on the staff of Joseph Nathan and' Co., Wellington, and leaves for his new sphere of duties by 'the Arahura. to-hignt. Before leaving the works he was met ,by his fellow-members of th& staff and presented with a pocket wallet suitably inscribed. The general manager (MY. J. Borham) made the presentation, and •referred m eulogistic terms' to the character, popularity, and ability of the recipient. Mr. Seeats suitably responded. % .

; Full particulars of the annual Convent plflin and fancy dress ball are advertised this evening. The committee wish it known that they are making: no depar.ture from the practice of former years, and the ball will be a fancy dress as well ns a plain dress one. All details are now computed, and the ladies" committee have the supper arrangements well m hand. Music for the dancing will be supplied by Miss "power (piano), Mrs! Murphy (violin), and Sir. Murphy (cornet). The children's plain and fancy dross ball will be held on the following evening, and those who attended this vbali last year will remember that it was one or the finest functions of its kind held m Gisborne. The committed are sparing no effort to make this year's ball even a greater success than the previous one.

j The following' team has been selected to represent Poverty Bay against the Tokomaru Bay representative team tomorrow, on tno Chil tiers road reserve : Full back, W. Lag ands, % J. (Jhrisp, M. Pere 1 , Tureia ; jj, {J. Pollock, By-Bundle--by; i, H. Chrisp; forwards, (J. Devcry, h. Winter, Alellor, C. Ellery, T. Heeney, Humphreys, Hgg3, ,H. Langlands, -• C. Bean, H. Harr.B, J. .Jones, C'areon.. Mr. Boit Lowe acted as selector. This is the first ' time m many seasons that a jWaiapu team, has visited Uisborne, and •is the team has been train-j-injj consistently and are keen to win. the match should be especially well worth j watching. A curta/n-raise'r will be projvided by a match between the primary ■■school repreaontativo tuain and a High School team. *

Tho Beuior cadet organisation at (Jisborne since Lieut. Burgo, M.C., took control, has been placed on a firm basis and good wort is being done m building up the efficiency of our future citizens. With the object of adding to interest m the organisation and increasing its usefulness, a fund is being established for the encouragement of rifle shooting and physical, training;. The object of the fund, it. is stated m a circular, is to stimulate interest m cadet rifle shooting and training and also to increase the physical efficiency of the youths of tho district. In order to do this it is necessary to establish a gymnasium at the Garrison Hall, where tho training will be carried out. It is hoped to promote boxing classes, provide material for eports (inside ' and outside) and the equipment required for the fitting out of au up-to-date gymnasium. With regard to shooting a 25-yards railgf; lias already been established at the hall and great interest is being evidenced by the boys. Tt is desired to build a rango at the District High School also for the use of the cadets there. For the installation of the gymnasium and the range I at the High School an appeal for funds is necessary, 'and the committee feels confident that the movement will receive willing support. 'The boys are endeavoring to do their part m the matter. A successful fancy dress ball was recently held, and arangements are m hand to carry out other functions of a similarnature m the near future. The movement is worthy of all encouragement nnd support, .and it is to be hoped a 'generous sum will be subscribed^ by the public to enable its objects to be accomplished..