LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 240, 24 September 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The annual session of the Synod of the Diocese of Waiapu opened at Napier this morning. The Hastings Leidertafel male choir will hold their first conceit in St. Matthew’s Hall on Wednesday next, September 30th. The primary schools of Hawke Bay will celebrate Dominion Day (Monday next.)!bv saluting the ling at II a.m., and thereafter observing tin' day as a holiday. The Customs revenue eollei-ted in Napier for the week (’tided yesterday amounted to £2548 1,2, made up of Customs duties £2412 8 3. beer duty £l3l 01. other receipts £l 12 10. Owing to Judge Gilfedder being detained in the South Island, the sitting of the Native Land Court, which was to have been held in Hastings yesterday, has been adjourned to October Ist.

A special motor will leave Napier on Friday. 25th instant, at 7 a.m.. for Wairoa. Intending passengers picture apply at the Hawke’s Bay Motor Company’s office, Hastings street. Napier. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Hastings Borough Council will be held this evening at 7.30. Amongst other important business to be brought forward will be the coni mil.tee’s report on the suggested reorganisation of the borough staff. The Wellington Harbour Board last night made two provisional appointments to the pilot staff. The new pilots are Mr. J. Spence, pro moti'd from the position of dredgemaster on the dredge Whakarire, and Air. Alec. Davis, chief officer 01 the steamer Arahura. The Arbitration Court will sit at Auckland next Wednesday, and will journey right through the Dominion, taking compensation and enforcement cases, and embodying awards where parties have arrived at an amicable settlement. The court will not hear disputes where the parties have failed to agree. Air. Chas. Douglas, secretary of the Hawke's Bay A. and P. Society, has already* received entries of sheep from the South Island and also from the West Coast of the North Island for the Spring Show. The enquiries for schedules for the show from outside the district have been more numerous than usual.

There was a very large attendance at the patriotic dance held in the Westshore Hall last evening. The floor was in an excellent condition for dancing, and those present spent a very enjoyable evening. The duties of AI.C. were capably carried out by Mr. A. Watsen, and the supper arrangements were in the hands of an energetic ladies’ committee.

A first offender for drunkenness at the Hastings court this morning found a soft spot in the heart of the presiding Justice, Mr. G. Land. Sobbing like a child, the delinquent said he had taken "a wee drop” too much on account of his son leaving for the front. Under the trying circumstances the Bench convicted and discharged him without comment.

The Post and T( legraph Department advise :—From to-morrow, 21th inst.. the text and signature of cable messages for Great Britain in plain language arc to be counted and charged for at ten letters to a word irrespective of the actual number of letters contained in anyone word- Figures will continue to be counted at five figures to a word. Any surplus group of letters occurring immediately before a group of figures will be counted as one word. Messages are to be written and transmitted as at present.

Messrs. Puncture Seal, Ltd., have installed a plant for the treating of motor tyres with their puncture preventing process in Messrs. Davis and Boyd’s garage in Hastings. Puncture Seal is not a “filling” it forms a lining, and a hole is no sooner made in the tyre than it automatically closes up, not even the slightest amount of air being lost. It is suitable for motor cars and cycles of every description, and as it is said considerably to increase the life of the tyres themselves, it will no doubt be quickly adopted by all motorists in this district.

The semi-final social of the Hastings Y.M.C.A. for the winter session was held in the Oddfellow's’ Flail last night. Considering the nuinberof counter attractions there, w-as a very good attendance. Mr. R. E. Bailey was master of ceremonies. A number of new games were introduced and greatly enjoyed. Hesitations were given by- Miss L. McGruer, of Napier, and Mr. H. E. Grainger. Mr. W. J. Bcrridge presided at the piano. The supper was tastefully arranged by Messrs J. Paul, G. Hardy, A. Musson and A. Blake, members of the Social Committee. It w as announced that the final social will be arranged for an early date.

The. “Lyttelton Times” says that information which has a genuine appearance has been given them that a trio of card-sharpers has added itself to the community. The men are said to be experts at “stacking them,” and can deal out a most attractive “hand” to an unsuspect ing stranger—a hand that it is al most impossible, but not quite ini possible, to beat. When the victim gets such a “hand” he is pleased. and prepared to raise the stake and —well, he loses. The sharpers have taken to carrying out their plans in the first class compartments of railway trains, and have provided them selves with either season or tourist tickets.

The latest rescue institution of the Salvation Army in the shape, of a Samaritan Home for Women, Girls and Children, and called “The Haven” was opened by Commissioner Richards on Tuesday at Gisborne. Adjutant Alelinc. who has been matron of the Auckland Maternity Home, is appointed matron of "The Haven.” Commissioner and Mrs. Richards and staff arrived from Gisborne ibis morning and will conduct a meeting at. Napier this evening, comma' on to Hastings to-morrow. An advertisement. in our trout (■eiumns announces Friday nights service in the Hastings Citadel which will bo conducted by the Commissioner and staff.