LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Northern Advocate, 27 September 1919, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

"Christian Citizenship" will be the subject of a special sermon by the Rev J. K. Clark at the Methodist Church on Mumlay evening, when the Mayor and councillors will attend.

During the past year 1739 films, amounting to 3,479,860 ft, have been examined by the Censor, and fee s amounting to £1160 have been received. The receipts were in excess of the expenditure.

A well-attended meeting of the Bay of Islands Returned Soldiers' Association passed the following resolution: — "The Bay of Islands Returned Soldiers' Association appreciate the generous action and forethought of Parliament in adopting the 1/G flat rate wargratuity. ''

Messrs Dalgety and Company's Whangarei* agency mentions an instance which the agency claims as probably a Dominion record. On a recent occasion negotiations were concluded for sales of property with three clients, travelling in one car, on the same day and in the same locality.

A good audience assembled at the Parochial Hall Last evening, when Dr Frazerhurst gave a lecture on "Some Social Problems." The lecturer dealt with various aspects of education, coupled with personal reminiscences of many lands and health matters generally and particularly. A strong appeal was made for upright living, and for such a course of life as would obviate a just criticism of the marriage partner being able to use the words "swindler and cheat." A report of the lecture will appear in a later issue.

Few people can spend years in the delightful study of science, astronomy, history, and the Bible. Life is too short for that, and duties are too many. But we can spend a few hours for these things. To be great we must think great things. "The Drama of Creation," the first part of which well bo presented to-morrow (Sunday) afternoon and evening in the Britannia Theatre, consists of 3 parts of 1_ hours each. While only the first part is given to-morrow at both sessions the second and third part will be screened on Sunday, October 5. Selected hymns are played 15 minutes before commencement. Children must be under care. No collections.

A big improvement has just taken place at the Ruatangata railway station. Six men have been at work for three months upon a new ten chain siding, a splendid new approach, most convenient holding and stock yards, and improved and extended shed and passenger accommodation. The whole improvement scheme reflects great credit on the forward policy adopted, and Mr T. Eager, the inspector of the permanent way is to be congratulated on the successful completion of the added advantages to the farming community and the travelling public.

There is something like a famine in house s in Melbourne at the present time. The scarcity of houses, combined with the acute domestic help problem, has placed a premium on the boardinghouse and the flat. Hundreds of people have turned towards them in preference to maintaining a house and coping with the unruly domestic. The solution of the problem is generally found in joining the vast army of "paying guests." Melbourne is following London's example and rapidly developing into a city of flats. And unless houses become both cheaper and more plentiful that development will continue. There is plenty of rather vague and unfounded talk about profiteering in rents, but the verdict on the shortage of houses may well be put as "dearth from natural causes."