LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 December 1928, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A former Liberal Prime Minister, the Hon. John Ballance, wore on his watch chain a gold fox. It eventually passed into the possession of a lady, one of his constituents, who handed on the charm to the late Prime Minister, Mr. Massey. On his death it went back to the original owner, who lias given it further political association, for the Hon. J. B. Donald, PostmasterGeneral, is now wearing on his chain the charm carried by the late John Ballance.

The Wellington Hospital Board proposes shortly to extend the broadcast receiving installation, with which a number off wards are now equipped, to the new wards adjoining Riddiford Street. The new building was specially wired for the purpose during the course of its construction. Broadcast listening by the patients in the hospital continues to work wonders in hastening their recovery. The diversion from the dread monotony qf a sick bed provided by listening-in is now recognised far and wid§ as a remarkable curative agent. Proof that deer herds at Stewart Island are very numerous lias been given recently, several score of deer having been shot by island residents and visitors. A week or two ago two young men went for a tramp from the Fresh Water River to Hellfire Bay after deer and ambergris and secured 27 deer for the trip. Th© little Virginian deer are multiplying very fast and are not so timid as their bigger brethren the Red deer. The Virginian deer are evidently at home in the water, as they swim out to the little islets either for fresh food or out of curiosity. Members of the defence staff in the Taranaki district returned during the week-end from Trentham, where they were in attendance at the annual refresher course for officers and instructors of the central command. During the practical musketry course, Lieut. J. N. Henry, of Hawera, and StaffSergeant P. McKenzie, of New Plymouth, figured among the top scorers and secured the distinction of being the onlv Taranaki representatives to secure places in the eight shots selected to represent the central command in the team’s matches at the Army Rlifle Association meeting in March. , A Christchurch houswife had an unenviable experience last week. She was attacked at her home by a caller, who, however, must bear a wound on his bead for some little time as a re-, minder of the encounter. The woman answered a knock on the door and lonnd a. caller, who stated that he bore a note from her husband telling her to give the man money. She refused, and the man threatened to knock her down and search the house. She still refused, and the man started to put his threat into effect. There was n struggle, but the woman managed to reach a. poker, and with this defended herself. She hit the man hard over the head. The blow beat him off, and when he received a second sound crack he made off.

Jn this issue an advertisement appears asking any subscribers who stn.il hold book's issued prior to closing of the Hawera Public Library for alteration to return same immediately. Those m charge hope that all books will be returned this week so that the nev catalogue may be > completed.

IMMUNITY IN PASTILLE FORM. If you don’t believe in innoculation against colds, you must believe iln Pulmoiias as a preventative. Evidence iproves it! Thousands have had their colds relieved by Pulmona.s; many more have secured protection from colds by their use. Sta.rt to-day with Pulmonas. Keep them in thq house. 1/6 and 2/G from all chemists. —Advt.

A feature of the Hawera High School break-up ceremony last night was the singing of the school song by the pupils. It was sung with appropriate expression and was much appreciated by the audience.

At last night’s meeting of the Hawera Borough Council permission was granted the Wanganui Garrison Band to hold a sacred concert in the Opera House on Sunday, Jan u ary 13, at 8.15 p.m.

The librarian of the Hawera Public Library, Miss M. Newland, reported to last night’s meeting of the council that during November 17 members had left. Four new members joined, making the total membership 510. About 25 new books were purchased. Miss Newland stated that the recent alterations were giving the utmost satisfaction to users of the library. The takings in connection with the Salvation Army Boys’ Home shop day in Eltham on Saturday reached the satisfactory total of £25. The various stalls were conducted by Mesdames W. W. Avery, G. H. P. Fitzgerald, B. H. Goldsmith, J. Cocker, Turner, B. Nairn, Carter, Bourke, Penniall, Gower Courteney, Reakes, and Ragan and Misses Carter, Crozier and Phillips.

Last year Mr H. G. Dickie, M.P., donated a cup for one of the athletic events at the Hawera High School and this year h© promised a cup for the tennis championship. Appreciation c.f his generosity was expressed by the headmaster in the course of the breakup ceremony last night. Special orders of the first battalion of the Taranaki Infantry Regiment state that the annual training camps will be held, at Waverley between February 6 and 23. Officers, non-com-missioned officers and nine-day trainees will undergo a special course of three days, oouwaencing on February 6 and the main camp will be for seven days, commencing on February 9, while the “casual” camp will be from February 16 to 23. Leave to attend the “casual' 5 camp will be granted only in exceptional circumstances and on application accompanied by a certificate from an employer or medical officer giving details of reasons.

A musical function of special interest will take place at the Presbyterian Church, Hawera, to-morrow (Wednesday) evening, when the choir will render the sacred cantata “Bethlehem 55 (Dr G. F. Root). The work will be conducted by Mr Charles Lamb, with Mr L. Rowe at the organ, and the soloists will be Miss Murdoch (soprano), Miss Dunn (contralto), Mr W. Strange (tenor) and Mr Eade (bass). There -will be a male voice trio, by Messrs Cowie, Ching and Pollock, amd a duet iby Mrs Bone and Miss Haswcll. The cantata is an attractive one, comprising fine solo work and a number of excellent choruses and other concerted items.