LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14198, 25 August 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A magnificent meteor was seen in the western sky at five minutes past eight last evening. A correspondent asks to bo advised as to tho time of year to spray the breeding ponds of mosquitos with kerosene. Another successful dance was held on behalf of the Returned Soldiers’ funds on Saturday evening at tho Soldiers’ Club. Tho "Wanganui Education Board has decided to purchase a second-hand Smith Form-a-Truck from Messrs James and Gillman for £255. The Palmerston iNbrth Municipal Band rendered an enjoyable programme in the Square yesterday afternoon. There are now over 9000 names on the new Palmerston North electoral roll, which has just boon printed; tho now Raugitikei roll contains 7482 names. Tho Timam War Memorial Committee has finally decided that the memorial shall not be anything of a utilitarian nature. So far £I3OO odd is in hand and £3OO more promised. It is understood that the vacated portfolios will be divided among present members of tin' Reform Cabinet, and that no new appointments will bo made, at least until the meeting of the Reform Party on Wednesday next. The newest of Neckwear for gentlemen showing in our windows, including tho latest novelties from London and New York. Two prices, 4/6 and G/6. —The C. M. Ross Co., Ltd.*

In the course of a short speech at the dinner given to the Wanganui footballers on Saturday, Mr H. E. Bennett stated that the attendance that day was the highest which had been present at any Manawatu-Wanganui football match in Palmerston (North for over 15 years. Ho could not, however, wonder at the support given to football in Wanganui when, as they had seen that day, the Wanganui boys played such clean football, but happily Rugby in Palmerston North -was now getting more and more of the support it deserved. Advice has been received by the Wanganui Education Board that the following Government grants have been authorised; —Campbell Street, separate infant school pf 5 class-rooms, c. Terrace End, boys’ lavatories (part cost); College Street, £9OO for additions to site on condition £7OO is raised locally. The architect (Mr Anscombe) for the Campbell Sti’oet School lias been instructed to invite tenders for the work with as little delay as possible. The Board’s architect will shortly advertise tenders for the Terraco End work. Work at Fox ton has been resumed as the efforts made to induce the Railway Department to carry bricks for the job were successful. The Board is now endeavouring to arrange for the carriage of the timber required. The Christchurch “Sun” states that Kaiapoi has lately been disturbed by rumours of a masked man, who it is alleged has accosted women and children in the township. On Monday evening a messenger brought a letter to Mrs Ashby, of Otaki Street, Kaiapoi, demanding £3, and contaiiring the threat that unless the money was forthcoming she would have cause to know that the sender was a dangerous man. Mrs Ashby at once communicated with the police, who, tracing the sender by means of the message-boy, made the arrest of a youth named Ernest George Reeves, aged 17, who appeared before a Justice of the Peace, at a special sitting of the .Court, charged with being disguised with felonious intent. The accused was remanded until Monday next, when the case will be heard before the stipendiary magistrate. Reeves, when arrested, was in possession of a mask made of imitation sealskin, and carried a five-chambered revolver, fully loaded. Children in the vicinity of Kaiapoi have, from time to time boon frightened by the appearance of a man whom they described as wearing a luminous mask.