LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 18394, 1 October 1923, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Mr H. E. Holland, M.P., Loader of tho Labor Parly, was tendered a banquet by the Hamilton Labor Committee. There was a largo and enthusiastic audience. Mr Holland made reference to the Hon. Mr Nosworthy’s answer to his reply to_ his remarks concerning tho Ohingaiti soldiers’ settlement block. He said that the Minister was apparently laboring under a mistake. Ho (Mr Holland) had not stated that it was purchased by the Government. His statement was that the goodwill of the native lease held by the vendor had been purchased with Government money, and for over two years the soldiers on the block had been left without road access, notwithstanding tho distinct promise of the vendor that a road would be provided. His purpose in referring to tho matter at Hamilton was to emphasise his case in favor of reading before settlement. He had further stated that tho men had repeatedly appealed to tho Government to compel tho vendor to honor his promise, and that statement was quite correct. Tho deputation referred to by tho Minister took place after the matter had been raised by him (Mr Holland) both in the House and on the platform. He held that whore Government money was involved it should be a responsibility on the Government to see that proper road access was provided. It was true that money had been placed on the last Estimates to make a road, and it was quite right that since the vendor had not rnado the road, a.s promised, tho Government should __undertake tho work. The Government, however, should go further, and take legal proceedings, ns promised in tho House, to compel the vendor to make good tho Government's expenditure in this respect.

A stroim room in tho offices of tho Takapuna Borough Council was opened on Friday night by means of gelignite, the noise of the explosion being hoard by residents. The sum secured was £lO 16s, other cash having been banked during the day. A somewhat similar occurrence, details of which are not yet available, is reported to have occurred at Devonport, adjacent to Takapuna.

The Commercial Travellers and Warehousemens Association Entertainers, thirty strong, paid a visit to the Seaeliff Mental Hospital on Saturday night, and provided a capital programme, consisting of choruses and part songs by the association’s choir funder tho cond'iictorship of Mr G. ,7. Scott), including ‘Soldiers’ Chorus,’ ‘Song of tho Bow,’ ‘Evening,’ ‘The Three Chafers,’ ‘Watchman, What of the Night?’ ‘On tho March,’ and tho ‘ Viking’s Song.’ Songs were contributed by Messrs A. Smollie, S. Cookaon, J. Douglas, G. Mearns, Wesr-man, .Henderson, Williamson, Watcrson, and 0. King, while Mr Faigan ga.ve a clarinet solo and Mr A. Holmes a musical monologue. The performers were given an excellent hearing, and applause was frequent and hearty. Tho largo ball was then cleared for dancing, and a most enjoyable time -was spent.

Tho thirtieth anniversary of the opening of the Church of St. Michael, Anderson Bay, was celebrated yesterday, the occasion being also that of the Patronal Festival. There were large congregations at all four services. Tn tho morning tho Yen. Archdeacon Fitehett unveiled the soldiers’ memorial. Tho memorial is of oak, and is in tho shape of a triptych. It was made by St. Michael’s Guild. In the centre is tho name of the church, with a beautiful carbon entitled ‘ Tho Gates of Good-bye,’ by Mr F. J. Mortimer. Tho side panels bear the names of all the men- and women connected with tho church who offered themselves for the war. The evening service was well attended. The Eev. H. 0. Fenton was the preacher.