ITEMS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 69, 15 December 1931, Page 11

ITEMS IN BRIEF

About People and Events MAIL-SORTING ON TRAIN As an economy measure the Post and Telegraph Department will cease mail sorting on the Napier and New Plymouth expresses from January 1. The postal sorting vans will be withdrawn from the two routes accordingly. The mail-sorting van was first used on the Palmerston North-Napier line in 1891. A postal van was also used when the through service between Wellington and Napier, via the Wairarapa, was inaugurated in 1897. The first “travelling post office” was used on the Wellijig-ton-Manawatu railway in 1886. Death After Bathing. Mrs. Leonard Rogers, of Te Awamutu, while camping at Ohiwa, says a Press Association message from Opotlkl, died of heart failure after surfbathing on Sunday. Death from Injuries. Thomas Henry Ball, aged 19 years, died on Sunday, reports a Napier Press Association message, as the result of injuries received when the car he was in went over a bank near Waikari. \ olunteers on Parade. With a view to stimulating public interest, a ceremonial parade of the First Battalion of the Canterbury Regiment was held at Christchurch recently. The ceremony of marching on the King’s and Regimental Colours was carried out, and decorations of marksmen’s badges were presented. l Injured Speedway Riders. G. Trilford, who suffered head injuries, a broken collarbone, face abrasions and shock, and F. Spencer, who is also suffering from head injuries, received when riding at the Speedway on Saturday evening, are still in Wellington Hospital. There is no change in their condition. Teachings Hanging On. In former years the Education Board had a number of teachers leaving to get married, but this year teachers are hanging on to their jobs, and there are fewer vacancies for teachers who are waiting for appointments, said Mr. J. J. Clark at the meeting of the ■Wellington Educational Federation last evening. Lax Sabbath Observance.

A gathering of Methodist ministers in Wellington yesterday endorsed the complaint made by the Wellington Ministers’ Association last week concerning tendencies for lax observance of the Sabbath. A motion was carried yesterday unanimously approving on behalf of the congregations represented of the protest forwarded to the City Council against the opening of the Salamanca Road tennis courts on Sunday.

In Good Company. “My lines have been cast in pleasant places,” said Mr. C. Robertson, headmaster of Hataitai School, who is being transferred to Berhampore School, in speaking at his farewell on Saturday. Mr. Robertson said he had found the children responsive and the parents helpful, and he had been fortunate in receiving the assistance of a staff which considered nothing a trouble so long as the interests of the children were served. Cricket to Music. An offer to supply a loudspeaker at the Basin Reserve in order to make announcements and entertain patrons during the progress of matches was received by the management committee of the Wellington Cricket Association last night. Some members were dubious as' to whether this would be in accord with the sedate traditions of the game, but it was decided to give the loudspeaker a try-out next Saturday afternoon. Cutter Racing at Petone. Cutter racing has been revived by the New Zealand Artillery. Last Saturday, teams representing the sth, 15th, and 19th Batteries met the 17th Battery team at Petone, and the last-named were the winners. The city teams hope to have facilities for training before the next contest. A team from the Heretaunga Boating Club beat a cutter crew representing the Petone ex-Navals on Saturday, and these two teaihs will meet again next, week-end. Island Bay Distress Relief. Efforts are being made by residents of Island Bay, Houghton Bay, and Happy Valley to provide Christmas cheer for families in the districts who have suffered from unemployment. An appeal for gifts of food is issued, and a relief depot for receiving donations will be open at “The Rendezvous” from 2 p.m. until 4.30 p.m. to-day and on Friday. Next Tuesday the depot will receive any donations of perishable goods designed for distribution for Christmas. Essay Competition. Mr. R. P. O’Connell, Fields Division Palmerston North, wins the essay competition relative to the scope and organisation of grassland work in New Zealand, says a Press Association message. Twenty-three entrants, drawn from all parts of the Dominion, included prominent workers from the main organisations engaged in research or instructional work connected with grass farming advancement. Hataitai’s Headmasters. The three successive headmasters of tbe Hataitai School were described as “Faith, Hope, and Charity” by the chairman of the school committee, Mr. 11. R. Searle, in speaking on Saturday at the farewell to the last headmaster, Mr. C. Robertson, B.A. The speaker added that he did not think any of the three would take exception if the Biblical reference was completed by adding the words: “the greatest of these is charity." Mr. Searle mentioned that Hataitai’s first headmaster, Mr. B. Kean, who was still remembered with appreciation, was now being succeeded at Berhampore by Sir. Robertson.