LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 18998, 21 July 1925, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A second highly successful invitation evening arranged by the Ciivorshqm School Committee was hold In the gymnasium on Saturday night. About sixty I sat down to cards, which engrossed the attention of all until 9.45, when snp,per was served. Alter supper the door was cleared, and a short prograin'ine. of dances interspersed with musical items was gone throng' l - Songs .by A!r» AFSkiinming and recitations by AIT Hawkins ware greatly appreciated and heartily encored. 'Che thanks of all Were duo to the various accompanists (Miss Anderson, Air Hawkins, and Air ■Fleet), whilst tne hostess for the evening (Mrs 1). H. AFPhersnn) fullilled lior duties admirably. During the evening it was intimated that a meeting was being called on the 291 h in the Methodist Hall for the purpose of forming a progressive householders and ratepayer's’ association. The singing of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ brought a most enjoyable evening to a closo Illicit gold dealing was alleged in the Warden’s Court’ Orovniouth, vestcifiay in a charge by tin; Alines Department against Patrick J. O’Donnell, hotel manager, of Wainta. It was alleged that O'Donnell had dealings in gold with mythical Chinese, and lie was charged with making a false statement in the gold dealers’ hook of the Dank of Now South Wales, Greymoufli, on December 16 last, to the effect that the gold bought by the bank was sold on behalf of Hip Wan and Ah Cow, and was obtained at Waiuta. O’Donnell was convicted. The warden (Air W. (1. Aloldrura) said he did not believe the tale about the Chinese sellers, and had no doubt that the gold was ohtahiod illicitly. Defendant was lined £5 on each of two charges of failing to keep a proper record, and £6O (with costs) on each of two charges of making false statements in the gold dealers’ book. The monthly meeting of Court Pride of the Valiev (dimmile Foresters) attached to Court Pride of the Leith, A.O.F was hold on Saturday evening last, the C.R., Bro. Al. li. Gaston, presiding. Complimentary references on the fifteenth anniversary of the court were made by D.W. Bro. T. F. M‘Natty (Juvenile Council), C.R. Bro. Dennett' (Court Pride of the Leith), j .Bro. H. Gregory and P.G.R. Bro. W. Himniel (Court Enterprise). Two new members were admitted. Following the close of Die meeting, the celebration of the anniversary was carried out, when the lower hull was completely Idled with parents and friends. Official visits were received from juvenile courts Star of Dunedin, Excelsior’s Pride, Hope of Groen Island, and Prince Edward. Court Woodland’s Pride was also represented. The president of the court, Bro. H. H. Gaston, presided, and Vice-president Sister E. Carr, of the Juvenile Council, was also on the platform. The proceedings opened with the National Anthem, and after a welcome from the chairman a splendid programme of items was rendered by Sisters Sandom, P. and F. Black, Adams, R. and N. Black, 0. Fleming, M. Harper, and D. Foote, Bros. 0. Halves, AL H. Gaston, V. G. Gaston,_ H. Gregory, A. Wheeler, and J. Boufcll. Community singing took place under the charge of Bro. I:lawes. During an interval the vice-president of the council presented the following prizes:—“ Hard-up ” competition, Bros. T. Conroy (medal presented by Bro. J. Swan), J. C. L. Mason, E. Robertson, F. Newman, J. R. Swan, R. Anderson, and F. C. Swetc; for other competitions. Bros. R. A. Anderson, C. Bates, Al. G. Gaston, V. G. Gaston, J. S. 11. Banting, T. Conroy, D, L. Donovan, J, A. Millar, G. E." Morgan, F. Newman, and J. H. Reid. The special prize presented by Bro. Hummel was won by Bro. Mason, and the secretary’s prize was won by Brn. D. N. Eckboff. P.G.R. badges and certificates were presented to P.O.R.s Bros. J. H. Gaston and F. G. Sweto. A very successful function closed with dancing and refreshments.

The regular meeting of Leith Lodge, 1.0.0. F., last night (Monday, 20th) was largely attended. After putting a candidate through the initiation ceremony the syllabus item, ‘ References to the Annular Eclipse,’ was taken up by Bro. D. AL Miller. Ho referred to the relative size of the -sun, moon, and earth, and their present positions and relative distance from each other, which explained the peculiar nature of the present eclipse. Diagrams were drawn illustrating the position. An explanation was given of the Ptolemy system, which assumed the earth to bo an immovable centre of the universe round which the sun, moon, and planets turned—a system which responded well to the vision and lasted until the sixteenth century. Then Copernicus, a Polish astronomer, doubting the prevalent belief, arid after years of patient observation, gave shape to the Copermean system. By this theory the sun was the recognised centre round which the planets revolved in orbits of different magnitude. Subsequent progress in astronomy had required additions and alterations to the Copern lean system, but its main principles wore firmly established. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Bro. Aliller for his interesting address.