LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 18332, 20 July 1923, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho Rev, R. Fairxnaid, a weTl-known philanthropic worker in the south end of the city, received a welcome surprise the other iby in the shape? of a donation of £lB 13s from the Winton and Oreti, Presbyterian Church, Southland, to be used in relief purposes among the poor and needy in the district. There was a good attendance of members at the meeting of Court Pride of the Leith, A.0.F., hold on Wednesday evening last. In the absence of tho 0.R., P.O.R. Bro. R. 11. Rutherford took charge. The meeting opened in mourning for the loss of a ■'brother. Three new members were admitted and four further nominations were received. Official visits were received from Courts St. Andrew’s,

Excelsior, and King Edward’s Pride. Tho balance-sheet for the last half-year was submitted by Senior Auditor Bro. Stables, and showed tho membership to bo 580, with the court in a splendid financial position. Following the close of the meeting a mock banquet was held, and was interspersed with toasts. Harmony was contributed by Bros. Williamson, Burrows, Walker, Orr, Terry, and Beiifsll. and Sister Fa mint. Tho principal toast was that of “The U.0.D., A.0.F.,” proposed by the treasurer, Bro. C. C. Robertson, and responded to by the district secretary, Bro. J. K. Macno. The toast of “The Visitors” was given with musical honors by the chairman, and responded to by Bro. L. Austen (Court St. Andrnw’td, C.R. Bro. G. Gilbert (Court Excelsior), P.O.R. Bro. J. D. M’Eofcie (King Edward’s Pride), P.O.R. Bro. A. Gillies M’Kenzio (Star of Horiot), and Bro. Gordon (Southern). The annual oratory contest of tho V.M.C.A. Younger Men’s Department was held last night, Mr 0. J. Darracott presiding over a fairly large audience. In summing up, tho judges (Mr C. R. Bossonce and tho Rev. R. H. Knowles Kemp ton) made an excellent criticism, and the advice given should prove of great use . to the young orators. Mr L. Gain, tho winner of last year’s contest, was awarded first place, with Mr L. Hams second, and Mr F. Findlay third. At a meeting in Wellington of dairy company delegates, representing one-third of the companies in New Zealand, tho following resolution wae carried respecting the Dairy Produce Control Bill “ We oppose the whole Bill, but recognise that there is room for an Improvement in the present system. With that end_in view wo are nna.ndmoufily in favor of immediate legislation providing for the constitution of a Producers’ Board, to be elected by tho producers by ballot for a term of three years, the chief function of tire board to be arranging all matters appertaining to the shipping and the transit of dairy produce for export on behalf of the owners, and constituting an efficient intelligence department.” A remit at the Council of Agriculture Conference was: —“That the council make representations to tho Government that qualified veterinary surgeons bo appointed to the largo dairying districts with tho suggestion that the cost of_ same bo met by a Government grant subsidised bv the local factories.” J. Reakes (Director of Agriculture) said that in regard to tho "matter of appointing a veterinary surgeon, tho veterinary profession was not a legal profession in New Zealand, Doctors, chemists, lawyers, and even plumbers were protected, and had to bo competent (before they could practise; but anyone in this country could call himself a veterinary surgeon, collect fees, and do work in connection with the treatment of cattle, whether competent or not. That deterred many good men from coming to New Zealand, because they would find them selves up against unfair and an- i reasonable competition. It could not bo . altered without an Act of Parliament. i An enterlaiument was given by Miss E. • Duncan and her party in the Central Fire Station. Cumberland street, last evening and enjoyed immensely by tho firemen and their relatives and friends. The concert was controlled bv Mina Duncan and Fireman James Lamb. Songs were contributed by Mcsdames M'Curdie and Meiklo, a character sketch by Mr Abbott, a flute solo 'by Masters John and James Murray, a piano solo bv blaster Roberts, and a' recitation by Miss Doris Roberta. There was also community singing. The accompaniments were played by Air L. Duncan.

At yesterday’s meeting of the High Schools’ Board" of Governors a letter was read from Miss M. H. AT. King (principal of the Girls’ High School) to the effect that when Dr Marsclcn (Assistant Director of Education) visited _the school he assured her that an application to the Education Department for an electric cooker and electric irons for the home science department would receive favorable conoid oration. Miss King urged that the application should be made, and enggastod that it bo made ns soon as possible, together with inquiry from the City Corporation ns to the possibility and conditions of obtaining current for the cooker and irons. The board decided that the application be made.