LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 December 1928, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Final returns are not yet available, but it is anticipated from the figures available that the funds of the Jubilee Institute fo.r the blind will benefit to the extent of £SO from last night’s concert at the Grand Theatre. T.h© Auckland Savings Bank has decided! to reduce tli© interest note on mortgages from 61 to 6 per cent., this applying to current mortgages from January next. The bank has decided also to reduce the, interest rate to depositors from 4-J to 4-1- per cent, as from April, 1 next. Traffic in Cashel street, Christchurch, between High street aud Manchester street, came to a dead stop on Tuesday after 11 a.m., a/nd for about half an hour vehicles took ‘alternative routes. 'Motorists approached, tooted their •horns, saw the cause of the trouble and retreated. Cyclists followed their example, and even pedestrians declined to go on. A swarm of bees had complete possession; they settled about the taxi drivers’ telephone box till an expert arrived with a box and proceeded to gather them in handfuls. The “flashing” of news of the moment on the screen is always appreciated by Opera House audiences, and last night, when the “Star” special cable message, announcing “Australia all out for 66” was shown, the keenest interest was displayed by patrons. There was a. second’s silence and then, when tli© significance of the words had been grasped, there followed a burst of laughter. It was noticeable that the, ladies displayed as keen appreciation of the “awfulness” of the news as the men.

. Commercial agents of the Railway Department are now investigating the possibilities of special excursions fro.m the South Island to the next Waikato Winter Show. If the efforts of the department’s officers meet with encouragement it is anticipated considerable reductions will be made in railway trace I, and special facilities will be placed at the disposal of South Island farmers,. The show is held in June of each year, and it is pointed out that this is a favourable time for farmers to travel.

Good Ti.se is being made of the hull of the steamer Ocean Transport at Ocean Island, state the officers of the tjteamer Danybryn, which arrived at Auckland on Tuesday from the island. The Ocean Transport was. east, up on the reef while loading at the island last year, and now lies high and dry on the coral. A'bridge has been built across the lagoon from the beach to the ship, and efforts are now being made to slew her round to act as a breakwater for a boat harbour, The vessel is very little damaged, but she is gripped by the coral that it is impossible to refloat her. It was decided by the Ngaere School Committee on Monday night, in view of the disabilities and unfavourable working conditions under which' tuition was being given since the destruction of the school by fire, to urge upon the Taranaki Education Board in the strongest manner possible the advisability of having the new school built before the commencement of the new teaching year. In this connection it was also decided to seek the assistance of Mr. W. J. Poison, M.P., says the “Amgus.” The committee agreed that it would he a great pity to abandon the annual school show usually held about the end of February. and on the headmaster reporting that sufficient- space for the exhibiiton oould no doubt he found in the shelter shed and portable school it was agreed to carry bn with preparations of -school work and displays. The Hawera Scottish Society was represented at the Hawera public hos pital last night in the form of a concert party, the members being Alisses Johnstone. Bullock, and Nairn, Mrs. Webber, Messrs. Simpson, Campbell. Renwiclc, Barleyman and Webber Mrs. Taylor officiated as pianist. The programme was much enjoyed by the patients. The evening concluded by Mr. W. Simpson, on behalf of the Scottish Society, wishing all assembled the compliments of the season and hoping that they would all be well enough to be in their own homes for the festive season. Air. ,T. E. Campbell returned thanks for hospitality and courtesy received from the hospital staff. The party visits the old peoples’ home to-night.

Known all over New Zeaalnd, Mr.! Charles (“Bun”) Parker, the city cabby, whose death was prematurely reported recently, died suddenly at Christchurch Hospital on Tuesday. In Christchurch he had become almost, arf institution. Every afternoon he would arrive with his cab and take up his stand on the west side of the Cathedral frontage, and he would stay there until 2 o’clock in the morning. lie was proud of the fact that lie ha< never let the elements drive him of! his stand. The coming of the motorcar and the elimination of horse drawn cabs did not worry him. Mr. Parker was the central figure in a Boer war incident, when the colonia' troops released him from a gun wheel and defied the Imperial authorities +■« carry out the sentence of field punishment imposed on him for refusing to salute, and abusing a British officer. McG-RUEE, BONE & CO. LTD. Aranic'h'o.ster and' Drews Department’s Weekly Specials (.sidle doorway windows). This week: Tjadicis ’ Traced Galileo Aprons, Diamond Pride 3/4; 38i.ncli Printed Cotton. Taffetas, good designs. Diamond Price. 1/4R —Advt. BUCKRELL’S UNION ST., HAWERA Have opened many lines delayed on account of the -strike in Australia, in eluding .summer costumes priced at 79/6; tennis frocks from 15/6; light summer twepd and repp, coats at 45/- * These wo invite you to inspect.—Buck I roll’s, opposite Central Hotel, Hawera —Advt. I