LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1232, 14 September 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tho seventh annual debating competition for the Plunket Medal will be hold in tho Town Hall on .Saturday. For the first time the medal will bo awarded on tho decision of judges. In tho past it has been the custom of students to ballot for tho winner, but this method has caused dissatisfaction, and tho rule has consequently been altered. On this occasion thero will be a board of judges, these comprising: Messrs. H. D. Bell, K.C., Mr J. P. Firth, Mr. A. L. Herdman, M.1 , ., , Mr. R. M'Nab, and Dr. A. K. Newman. "Colonel Saundors and 53 Gay Gordons" was tho jumbled announcement on the passenger list of the Manuka, which arrived from Sydney yesterday. At first glaiico it appeared as if the fiery cross had. flashed across the land, and that Scotland, in till her ancient might, had dispatched a nice regiment to try conclusions with tho Wellington Territorials or tho Socialists, or tho Pipe Baud, about the quality of whoso music there is such a decided difference of opinion. On inquiry, however, it was discovered that the supposed colonel of tho regiment was Colouel Saunders, of the headquarters staff of tho Salvation Army, who is making ono of his periodical visits to the Dominion, and tho "Gordons" arc the gay people who aro to "skirl and sing" at the Opera House to-morrow night. Tho Academy of Fine Alts' annual exhibition wi.ll bo opened at tho Academy, AVhitmoro Street, on Saturday, October 7. llis Excellency tho Governor will preside. With respect to the recent fire at Messrs. AA'ard, Lock, and Company's publishing works in London, Mr. AV. Steele, manager in Australasia for tho firm, writes as follows:—"Will you kindly allow me through your columns to announce that from a cablegram dispatched from London on September i, 1 have been advised that, only tho warehouse bound stock has been destroyed, that our offices, directors, and editor's rooms remain intact, and that our business is proceeding in adjoining temporary premises. With tho large stocks of sheets of our publications, held by London and country printers and binders, together with those stored in our own printing and binding establishments, I am confident that the destroyed bound stocks can speedily be replaced and tho evils minimised of the recent big conflagration." z On Tuesday night the Sydney Street and Northland Primitive Methodist Mutual Improvement Society held their fortnightly meeting, which_ took tho form of an"elocutionary competition. Most of tho members enteral the competition, and Messrs. I. and J. Nicholas, who recited "Without a AA'ifio" and "Betty with her hair up" respectively, tied for the lady's prize, and Mr. 0. G'oad, who recited "Tho Fireman's AVedding," received the gentleman's prize. There was also an impromptu speech competition for the gentlemen, tho winner being Mr. J. Cable, who spnko on compulsory military training. Tho next meeting will be a Parliamentary election. ..

When tho fact was mentioned at tho •Vuckland Hoard of Education yesterday morning that the Department would not build schools where there are less than 25 children, Mr. Banks said he considered the Department should grant .£IOO to put up a building in tho easo in question who.ro there were 20 children. People in tiie country seemed to lie expected to put their hands in their pockets to erect buildings, but in town tho people would not do that. They would simply talk until they sot the money granted. A district where, there were ten to twenty children was entitled to have a school. Ho thought they should put up a porch first in such eases, and when the district grew the school could bo added. The chairmen pointed out that when a building was provided, it would l;e rented and a teacher appointed. Mr. Banks said he would give notice to inovo in the matter at next mooting,