LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 September 1924, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Miss Mary Luman, of Stratford, gained third place in the English Contralto solo, at the Wellington Competions recently. Miss Luman, who if a pupil of Mr. r J. Edmonson, of Stratford, secured 83 points, and the winner, Miss Hilda Nicholl 88. The judge remarked that some beautiful voices had been brought out in that class.

It is a little early in the'season yet to talk about prices for the current season’s dairy produce (says the Wanganui Herald ), but an indication is given in the fact that a local company has been offered Is 7*d per lb. for_ butter for the earlier shipments. Indications point to the price being high m the earlier part of the season, up to Christmas time, at least. A Remuera resident was accosted the other day by. a well-built young man, who asked, “Can you give me a job ? I’m starving.” He told the man to come out to his .place and he would give him a good feed and 7s for digging round the fruit trees. The dinner was provided (relates the Auckland Star) and then the man set to work. He was so fond of his job. or else .had eaten too big a- dinner, that half an hour later he was found lying HoifV’Ti fast asleep, having only turned' over three spits of earth ~i, ,

Applications for position of hand-master-conductor having beep invited desired to obtain the names of all those who are willing to join the band. Intending members are requested to communicate at once with Mr W. Hawkins, Mr W. Hoddle, or the Town Clerk, Hawera.

A contract for the erection of - nine new railway cottages on Turuturu road has been let to Messrs Henderson, Howell, King and Rudge, who expect to commence operations in about a fortnight’s time when material is forwarded from the railway factory at Frankton.

The weather is the usual subject used to introduce a conversation but it is ' wise even on such a topic to exercise discretion (states the Star). An Auckland business man went to Pukekohe the other day and remarke d-f° the first man he met there, ‘ Beastly Weather,” whereupon the farmer replied indignantly, “No, it’s lovely weather. We have been praying for a good downpour of rain to benefit the potato crop.” Having got the local point of view, the Auckland man for the rest, of the day introduced the conversation with “Very beneficial rain,” and was never contradicted. '

“Nine-tenths of the cheap and brashy novels that are offered to the public as reading matter to-day, are not fit for boys and girls, men or woinen, to read,” declared Mr. Bransbv Williams, in addressing members of the Auckland Rotary Club (reports the “Herald”). “There is more harm in the so-called “sex” novel than you can possibly imagine. Boys and girls can go and hide themselves and read things that should never have been allowed to stand in print. Thank God, not one novelist in fifty in the Victorian period could have written the stuff that is being turned out today, and when we read the great works of Lytton, and Dickens, and others, we may well feel proud of the literature of that period. If we can only teach boys and girls ®of the present day to read and enjoy good books, we shall he doing a great work.”

, A hearty roar or laughter relieved the solemnity of the proceedings at a recent meeting of the Auckland Presbytery (says the Star). A minister was just opening his remarks in a low modulated voice when another member said: “IVill our brother speak up!” This evoked the louder reply: “If it is sound you want, you will get it,” but the interrupter said: “I want sound, but I also want sense,” and that was too much for the gravity of the members, who all with one accord laughed heartily.

Three kittens, ten days old, were recently mothered by a. hen in Wisconsin; she only permitted the mother cat to approach them at meal times.

Cricket enthusiasts are reminded of the meeting to be held in the Borough Council Chambers this evening to 'farther. the interests of W r ednesda=y cricket.

TENNIS OUTFITS

We have opeped the famous Canoe tennis shirts for this season’s tennis. Then our new white shoes with crepe rubber soles, greenhide or neoline rubber soles are great. Rubber belts Is fid. White cricket or tennis trousers, cellular tennis under combinations. We also stock blazers, sweaters and bowlers’ outfits, bowlers’ hats and shoes. Call and see our new season goods at the N.Z. Clothing Factory, Hawera. —Advt.

A curiosity in"the shape of a yellow thrush was seen in the Owaka district (Otago) the other day.—Exchange.

A number of horses m South Canterbury have been affected with what is believed to be cholera (says an Oamaru paper), caused by the lack of moisture in the grass.

A Hamilton company (announces the Y\ aikato Times) is to undertake the production of, a motion picture dramatic spectacle from a specially prepared •scenario entitled “The Victorious Deteat, based on episodes of the Maori nar in the W aikato, and having as a spectacular climax the celebrated siege 01 Pa. at Kihikihi on ■ March 01, iob4, ror which the producers have obtained special facilities.

The fair sex wa<f at a premium at the Supreme Court, Wellington, on Tuesday (says the Host). 'The first attack was made by Mr. Justice MacCregor. had asked a witness H his wife could drive a car. Witness replied that she could not as far as he knew. His Honour: “Perhaps she thinks .she' knows how to drive a car like many other women.” A few minutes later Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell was K-aduig a letter when his Honour asked the date of the letter. Mr. Treadwell: ‘‘Of course, it is not dated. It v,a« written by a woman.”

Before. Sheriff Robertson at Falkirk Sheriff Court, Andrew Wright, contractor. and motor hirer. Granary Square, Bamsford, Falkirk, appeared on a charge of -haying failed to pay the weekly contributions in respect to his employees under the Unemployment' Insurance Acts. The total number of offences involved in the complaint was 140. A plea of guilty was tendered by the accused. A fine of £2O, with the alternative of 30 days’ imprisonment, was imposed. A meriiotv that plays one false at a critical moment is one of the funniest things'in the world—for the other fellow (remarks' the Christchurch Sun). But the Archbishop of - New Zealand (Dr. C. Julius) laughed ais heartily as anyone at his slip at the opening of the new Anglican hostel for girls on Saturday. ‘‘We will conclude,” said the Archbishop, “by singing the ‘Old Hundredth.’ Yo-u all know the words. Now then! ‘Praise God from ’ oh, no that’s wrong! . . . er, ‘All people that on earth do dwell ’ ” An the old psalm went without a hitch a f ter tkat.

At a. metropolitan public hospital recently a discharged fireman off one of the Home boats expressed his gratitude to the nurses and staff and said he would not forget them, states the Auckland Star. In next morning’s paper they read he had kicked off with twenty-four hours’ for drunkenness. At 10.30 a.m. on the succeeding day a gorgeous bunch of arum lilies was pushed through the ward window, and on inquiry from the patients, the nurses were informed that the fireman had. been as good as liis word. Half an hour later the infuriated head-gardener of the hospital wa's searching high and low for the miscreant who had devastated the arum lily bed!