LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 97, 22 April 1909, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Pollard's Opera Company have booked the Town Hall for May 17th, 18th, 19tK and 20th.

Intending nominators are reminded that entries for the Marlborough Collie Dog Trials, to be held on the 2nd and* 3rd May, must be sent in to the Secretary not later than Saturday next, April 24th.

Tenders were recently invited by the Lower Wairau River Board for cutting willows. The successful tenderer is Mr Andrew Gilmore, his prices being as follows: No. 1 contract, £6; No! 2, £16; No. 3, £18.

A children's dance will be held at St. Patrick's Hall to-night, in connectoin. with St. George's Society, commencing afr 7; oclock and lasting till eleven. Children will be admitted free, but a charge of one shilling will be made for adults who wish to dance. Supper will be provided.

Victoria College has appointed two Colonials to its staff (says a Wellington telegram). Mr T. H. Laby, a young Sydney man, is to become Professor of Physics, and Mr C. A. Cotton, now director of the Coromandel School of Mines, will be lecturer on Geology.

Some changes are announced in the Telegraph Department. Mr Meddings, telegraph engineer at Auckland, retires, and is succeeded by Mr Furby, of Wellington. Mr C. C. Robertson, of Nelson, formerly officer-in-charge in Wellington, takes Mr Furby's place, and Mr Harrington, at present officer-in-charge, succeeds Mr Robertson.

Back pages to-day contain the full report of St. George's Society's Sports, interesting telegraphic matter, and articles upon the following subjects: Making Your Will, The Continental Sunday, The Curse of Immoral Books, Athletes on Smoking, The Stirling Case, Driving Capital Away, Civil Service Retirements, and other items.

The Catholic bazaar was well patronised last night, and once again the stalls were well supported. The dancing of Signor Borzoni's pupils came in for a large measure of applause, thus showing the appreciation of the public of anything of a meritorious, character, and also testifying to the excellence of the performances held nightly. The bazaar will be open again to-night.

Australia was well represented at the Methodist soiree last night. The Revs. T. Richards. E. P. Blamires, T. Bryant, and Adjutant Brown (of the Salvation Army) all hail from Australia, and it was a coincidence that they should all be on one platform on the same evening. The Chairman (Mr W. B. Parker) is. also an old Victorian, the early portion of bis life having been spent in that State.

Mr John Conolly, a candidate for the Mayoralty, will address the burgesses in the Drill Shed to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock. It was stated yesterday that the Drill Shed would not be available, but Mr Conoily has made arrangements with the Garrison Band for the latter to practise in Parker's Garage. Mr Conolly will touch on all matters of importance to the Borough, and will outline the policy which he will pursue if elected Mayor.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that Ministers gave a dinner last night to leading civil servants who are retiring, and also to say farewell to Messrs Donne and Hamer. A pleasant note of the proceedings was that each civil servant made a short speech, and acknowledged the justice of the step taken. As one said: "It is perfectly just that we old fogeys, however game we think we/are, should retire; because if w« didn't where would the juniors be?"

The question of holding a band contest in Blenheim at Jubilee time is to be discussed at a public meeting,' called for to-night at the Council Chambers. The meeting promises to be a large one, as considerable interest is being taken in the matter by leading townspeople. The success ,of recent contests in other places (Hffltings, for example) is some warranty that Blenheim will be able to organise a gathering of equal importance and merit.

Pirobably the oldest soldier in the world, Andrei Nikoaievitsch Schmidt, who is aged 120, and fought in the Russian Army during the Napoleonic wars, recently arrived in St. Petersburg with the object of seeing; the Tsar. He was introduced into the Tsar's study, and his Majesty received the veteran with extreme kindness. Schmidt answered several questions, but finally overwhelmed with emotion, he broke down, and burst into tears.