LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 2565, 24 December 1924, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A cablegram from Sydney announces an increase of ten shillings per ton in tho price of flour. The All Blacks arrived at Deal, whore they will spend Christmas, on Monday and were accorded a civic reception. A Cairo message states that a Royal decree has been issued dissolving Parliament, and the elections will be hold within sixty days. The choir of St. Peter’s Church, Terrace End, visited tho Hospital yesterday evening and sang a much appreciated programme of solos and Christmas carols, Francis Perkins has been committed for trial for murder, and James Davis, for aiding and abetting the former in slaying the bank-clerk Almoida at Melbourne last month. To-morrow morning at 11 o’clock, a Christmas service will be conducted by the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt, m St. Paul’s Methodist Church. A coiiec. tion will bo taken up in aid of the 'Methodist orphanges. The Wahino brought 900 passengers to Lyttelton yesterday morning from Wellington and she left port three hours later with GOO passengers. The Maori was fully booked for last night’s northern trip.

The matron of tho Palmerston North Hospital acknowledges with thanks the following donations towards tlio Christmas fund: —Brother Bill” 10/-, St, Vincent do Paul’s So, clety £2 2/-, Mrs Mulroonoy £2 2/-, R. V. Somcr £l 1/-. The work of putting up fittings In tho community lighting scheme is making rapid progress on Mam Street West, and the majority of shopkeepers in this (art, if indeed not all, will have the benefit of electric light for Christmas Eve and thereafter,

Mr E. C. Beale's strong Auckland cricket eleven, under tho captaincy of tho old Now Zealand international L. G. Homus, passed through Palmers, ton North by the limited express yesterday morning on route to the South Island. Matches will be played at the leading towns.

Tho festive season Is being efficiently commemorated In more ways than one in Palmerston North. Decrepit individuals with a decided list to starboard were to bo observed scattered about on tho seats in tlie Square gardens yesterday, bearing on their faces, an expression of beautillc contentment.

Christmas Day services will be conducted by, the Rev. Harold T. Peat, in Cuba Street Methodist Church tomorrow morning, at 7.30, and in tho evening at 7. iAlso at Bunnythorpo, at 10.30 a.m. The entire offerings of tho day will bo devoted to (ho Church orphanage funds. A hearty invitation is extended to everyone.

“You will be interested to learn that Mr Black, who is in charge of tho Palmerston North Borough reserves, which total 500 acres, was a while back deputed by the Government lo visit Samoa and report to tho New Zealand Government thereon," stated Mr F. Jackson, deputy-Mnyor, in welcoming ilio Samoan faipules to Palmerston North yesterday.

Mistakes will happen, fven among the best people. The train had just pulled in at tho Palmerston North railway station yesterday, bringing and gathering in again gay crowds of holiday-makers. A well-dressed young man—handsome, top—bounded cheerily from the platform of the train, and loomed up to an attractive young lady who, standing alone, seemed to he looking out for somebody. "Here you are, then, Cecilia!” ejaculated the new arrival, and kissed the maiden resoundingly. “Sir!" The kissed one took a step back and gazed, startled, at the kisser. Blushing profusely, the young man hastily endeavoured to make amends—the lady was not Cecilia.

The blissful departure by tram of a Palmerston North family was rude : y interrupted at the station yesterday morning. The New Plymouth express had steamed up to the platform, and mother, father and children had hastily clambered aboard with their voluminous parcels and luggage, and safely deposited them in the carriage. A moment of respite, a frantic grab just in time at the rear portion of a male offspring, who bad all but fallen through the window, and the guard’s whistle blew. Suddenly there was a shriek from the ladv of the party; “ John, I’ve forgotten to turn off the gas stove!” Time, tide, and railway trains wait for no man, but 11 was with remarkable agility that father flung himself from the moving train, and with a cry of, “I'll fix it! Will follow by the next train!” waved a hand to his better half, whose agitated face peered at him through the window, as the engine gathered speed.

’’Rosco” select footwear for children makes excellent present. Such a gift spells true economy, and gives the greatest pleasure In addition. Our selection makes buying easy. Tho C, M. Ross Co., Ltd. Open late this evening, closed all day Saturday, December 27-

Wearables are the most useful gifts for men and boys, and to get a good selection of quality goods at reasonable prices, you cannot do better than visit Simeon's, the well-known outfitters, in Fergusson Street. This firm is showing a particularly fine range of ties, shirts, handkerchiefs, etc., which are very suitable for gifts, while their beautiful selection of suits, hats, etc., for holiday wear is second to none in the district. See Simson’a adverlsement in this issue.

The gift supreme this Christmas can be a fur coat. Cojllnson and Cunninghame are making special Christmas concessions to enable the purchase of this wonderful gift to be effected at a big saving. Prices range from 19gns. (Mole, Coney) to 145gns. (Hudson Bay Seal). Christmas concession prices 15gns. to 128gns. — OolUnson and Cunningbame.