LOCAL AND GENERAL

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 12 April 1934, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

On and after April 30 the Haw era Public Library will close at 9 p.m. daily, with the exception of Saturdays when the closing hour will be 9.30 p.m. “The British soldier costs the nation '7 per cent, more in 1934 than in 1914,” Mr Stanley Baldwin tokl the British House of Commons recently, The expense per man in pre-war days .was £<B 10s per annum; now it i>s £147 2s, an expense which conscript nations do not pay.

The Wellington Competitions Society has received 104 entries for its new competition for an original vocal composition with pianoforte accompaniment, open to any person who has been a resident of New Zealand for the past, fifteen months. Compositions have been forwarded from all over New Zealand. The entries will be sent to Melbourne for adjudication. When compared with the figures for 1932, the cosi;l output from the Ruller •mines for the year ended March 31, 1934. shows a falling-off in production of 233,690 tons, reports the Westport correspondent of the “Grev River Argus.” A. comparison with the output for 1933 indicates a, drop of 5781. tons. The output for 1932 was 521,818 tons. For 1933 the figures were 287,909 tons, and for 1934 (ended March 31). the total output was 282,128 t-ons.

In connection with the centenary celebrations of the Anglican. Church at Te A.wamutu npxt August and September an invitation was sent to the Governor-General, asking him to be present (states the “New Zealand Herald”). The vicar (the Rev. S. R. Wareing) has received a. reply from his Excellency's private secretary stating that Lord -Bledi-sloe expects Parliament to Ibe in session at that period, and he could not, therefore leave Wellington, “Should there be any change in plans at present contemplated, which will enable him to visit Te Alwamutu at the time mentioned, his Excellency will let you know at least a fortnight in advance,” the letter adds. “He hopes to be present with you.” ‘‘‘The worst fright of my life was on board a .ship anchored in the stream at Port -Chalmers, ” an old sailor told a Dunedin ‘‘Star” reporter. “It was in the old days when the liners carried explosives from overseas. We were discharging the kegs and eases in canvas slings from a timber-lined -space in the forehold. A sling was at the midship block ready to be swung over to the side by the yardarm, when a case of explosive dropped from the sling. Tt had a drop of 40ft. into the hold among about twenty tons of explosives not yet discharged. 1 saw it leave the sling and said to myself ‘This is good-bye. ’ It. .struck with a tremendous smack, but did not explode. The reaction made us ill.”

A report was made at Wanganui this week to a meeting of the Alexander Museum trustees by the curator, jilr G. Shepherd, that he was piec-inp | together a complete skeleton of a l;wg< moa. He was confident that he would be able to finish this work satisfactorily, as the result- of a discovery oi , a moa bone on the Paul Estate “Riverlanda,” last summer. Then 'was a prospect, also, Mr Shepherd add | e-d, of there being . sufficient! bone- ; to complete the four smaller moa s-kele l tons in the museum’s possession.

I A Wellington driver who has had ;■ long experience of motor touring ant who made a tour' of the North Islam at Easter, states that he noticed niuc-1 more reckless driving, on this o.oasic! than in anv previous holiday season In one dav on the way out from Wellington two, other cars that overtook his at high ’speed were Inter found to have come to grief as a result of theii drivers’ recklessness. Both had beer unable to keep t-o the road. Speculating oil the cause of furious driving and accidents in the country during holidays. he remarked that some town drivers have had no experience except on paved roads. When they got or the -straight country roads they put or speed and met trouble on the gravel ' surfaces.

The Hawera Opera House will be closed for ten days from April 24 for interior re-decorating. The scheme will he on modern lines and will be carried out under the supervision of the wellknown theatre decoration specialist. Mr H. J. Drevfelt, of Wellington. Local labour will be used as far as possible by Mr Drevfelt. While the Opera House is closed all attractions will be screened at the Grand Theatre. During the time the decorations are in progress new seating will be installed in the dress circle and the seating in stalls overhauled and several new rows installed. The Opera House will reopen on Friday, May 4, with “The Dancincr Lady.” featuring Joan Crawford, Clarke Gable and Winnie Lightner.