LOCAL AND GENERAL

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 5 September 1932, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

At tlie final evening performance of the Wellington competitions Mr Herbert Reason, the winner of the vocal championship, sang Handel’s “Wheree’er You Walk.” The same song was sung by Gerald Hawthorne, winner of the boys’ song afi the Hawera competitions.

After a week-end spent in New Plymouth following Saturday’s inter-pro-vincial Rugby match, the Hawke’s Bay footballers' and officials of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union' returned home today. A "Special ear was attached to the south-bound Taranaki express train this morning and few members of the team left their seats on arrival in Hawera. Several were observed to be dozing and others were playing cards.

The south-bound Taranaki express train carried, a. full complement of passengers for Wellington and intermediate 'Stations this morning. On arrival iit Hawera practical ly every seat throughout the five carriages was occupied and South Taranaki passengers had some difficulty in finding accommodation. Several gathered at the end of the platform in anticipation of an extra carriage being attached, but when the relief engine steamed np .solo there was a scramble for the few remaining seats. A number of passengers were unlucky and were observed standing in the passageways as the train left the platform.

A start was made tins morning with the alterations to the O’kl People’s Home at Hawera. The plans were approved by the Hospital Board at the last meeting. Parts of the oldest section of the buildings are to be pulled down and the rest is to be remodelled and use made of the Memorial Children’s Ward at the eastern end of the buildings. The alterations will much improve the accommodation and give added comfort and convenience to the inmates as well as the master and his family.

Mr. Harrison Cook, who will be the producer of tne Opera, “Gipsy Cove,’’ to be performed by the Hawera Amateur 'Dramatic Society, arrived at Hawera by car yesterday and had a first rehearsal with the principals for. the opera. He told a “Star” representative mat he was very pleased with the first impressions of the artists. He will have another rehearsal to-night and take the chorus to-morrow evening.

The opinion that the New Zealand Eight did not do itself justice at the Olympic Games was expressed by Mr A. : * D. Bayfeild (vice-president) at the annual meeting of the Star Boating Club at Wellington this week. Mr Bayfeild said that the crew might have suffered from "staleness” or the effect of the climate, because he really felt that the eight men did not do themselves justice. He thought that the crew was capable of much -better things, although opposed to t'he best crews o-f the world. The coach himself, up to a point, had had a great hope of success. A reduction in railway rates for the carriage of stock was urged by several speakers at the annual meeting of the Electoral Committee of the New Zealand Meat. Producers’ Board at Wellington this week. It was pointed out by Mr W. R. Hammond, of Winchmore, that the present rates came into force in 1925. If the rates paid then, surely they would be more than payable now, when increased numbers of stock wore being carried, he said. The acting-chairman (Mr T. A. Duncan) said the board had already taken up the -matter with the Railway Board, the attitude of -which had already been stated in the Press. Mr J. S. Jessep (Wairoa) said it was obvious that New Zealand could not go on producing at the present costs. There had actually been increases on the railways, wharves, and in cold storage charges. How members of the New' Zealand team at the Olympic Games managed to puzzle interviewers by representing that they spoke a strange language was described recently in a -Sydney newspaper by Mr R. L». ("Snowy”) Baker, the well-known Australian- -athlete, writing from Eos Angeles. ,Mr Baker stated: "Local people are still under the impression that New Zealanders have a language of their own, and do not -speak English. Members of the Olympic squad take great sport with interviewers. One v T ill act as an interpreter fo-r t-he others. Finally, when the interviewer makes some remark not intended for understanding ears, the group breaks out laughing and it dawns on the Californian that the Englishspeaking race is not limited to Los Angeles and its suburbs. And another | friend is made.” i

Sunday afternoon was devoted by the Hawero Municipal Band to a series of selections given at the Old People’s Home. The inmates were gathered on a .sunny verandah-with a north-east aspect and in the grounds were a considerable number of townspeople. The numbers played by the band were:— March, “Britisher” (Hitchen); selection, “Irish Melodies,” “The Shamrock” (Myddleton); Cavatina, “Even Bravest Heart” (Gounod’s “Faust”); waltz, “Basina Dances” (Gungall); entra'cte, “Hearts of Flowers”( (Tovani); march, “Light Infantry’ ’(Playlet); pot pound, “More Melodies, Memories” (Herman Finek); anarch,, “'Sun God” (Zehle). The National Anthem concluded an interesting programme, each item of which was greeted with applause. At the conclusion', the master of the Home (Mr .T. Mitchell) assured the band members that their kindness had been very much appreciated. He expressed the hope that it would not be long before the band made a further visit. In reply, Mr H. C. A. Fox, bandmaster, said that the reception given the band items was ample evi- I donee of the fact that the music had been enjoyed. He gave are assurance that the band would pay a further visit.

Are amusing story concerning “mystery hikes” was told in Christchurch this week by a visitor from England, who had booked for the “mystery” train excursion Which had been organised by th? Kailway Department. Two friends of his, he said, had gone to Aberdeen from a little village about 20 miles out to spend a much needed holiday in ■the city. Among the numerous attractions that were offered them was a “mystery” train excursion, and, much intrigued by the idea, they booked seats for the journey and eagerly looked forward to it. The great day arrived and the two country folk boarded the train, excited by the idea of an unknown destination. When the nonstop train was a few miles out of Aberdeen an official came through the carriage and announced the mysterious destination. The two country folk were horrified to learn that it was their own village.

People in Great Britain have subscribed, it is estimated £9.500.000 to the Irish sweepstakes, and received £5,000,000 in prizes.