GENERAL NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19200, 17 June 1924, Page 8

GENERAL NEWS.

In th« absence of Mr Anderson, Mr Priest presided at the usual monthly meeting of the St. Clair School Committee, this being tho first meeting since the termination of the holidays. The visiting committee spoke very strongly on the shortage of accommodation at the school and of the large number of pupils under tho control of each teacher. Tho gymnasium, which is used as a classroom, proved very cold and draughty in the winter. It was resolved to obtain the services on an expert, apart from the Education Board, to test the heating apparatus. The work to be carried out at the committee’s expense. The roll number was 647, with an average attendance of 518, and there had been practically no serious sickness at the school during the month. Miss Hilliker, the new' assistant, commenced her duties after the holidays. It was decided, after the school inspection, which is to be held this week, that a deputation should wait on the Education Board in respect to the increase of accommodation. It was decided to hold a jumble sale towards the end of the next month. Messrs Hulliday and Mncassey were appointed a visiting committee for the ensuing month. The monthly meeting of the Wakari School Committee was held on Saturday, when there wore present—Messrs W. Cubitl (in the chair), A. Bain, W. Kedzlie, Murray, Pezet, and. French. The headmaster reported that thie attendance was the same as last month. The preparation of the school children for the forthcoming school concert on Juno 28 was well in hand A vote of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the late Mr Hemingway, an excommittoo men, the tribute being paid to him as one who had given faithful and enthusiastic service at all times in connection with the various school functions. Other minor matters were dealt with.

The usual meeting- of the railway branch of the Workers’ Educational Association was again well attended. The subject of the lecture, “Aristocracy of England,” proved to be a subject full of interest to tho class. The following were the subheadings of the lecture:—(l) “History” (tracing origin in ancient peoples and tho causes) ; (2) “Functions of an Aristocracy”; (31 “Fulfilment of Functions: Are They Being Fulfilled?” (4) “Attitude of the People Towards the Aristocracy”; (5) “Nobility in some Form is Necessary.” “A race yields a nobility in some form.” The lecturer (Mr G. M’Uracken) was congratulated by members on the excellent way in which he had dealt with tho subject. The usual discussion by the class followed. A very enjoyable function was held in the P.A. Hall, Green Island, on Saturday night, when a large number of members of the local lodges, relumed soldiers, and members of several P.A. lodges from Dunedin gathered together to take pari in a euchre tournament. Bro. H. Christie, of Lodge Excelsior, presided and warmly welcomed the visitors. At the outset he asked all present to stand in silence as a mark of sympathy with a bereaved brother who had "met with an irreparable loss that morning. The tournament was close, and Bro. J. Martin proved the winner, while Bro. G. Webster gained the booby prize, being presented with a cradle. Mr H. Taylor (returned soldiers), Mr T. M'Ahan (A.0.F.), Mr R. Mprie (Druids), and Mr Gilland (P.A. Lodge) briefly thanked the members of the Lodge Excelsior for their invitation. Light refreshments were served and appreciated by ail present, after which the company dispersed. The Cavorsham Presbyterian Young Men’s Literary Club on Saturday evening was given an address by Mr Jack Denford on “'ine Mercantile System in Operation During the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.” The speaker touched on the difficulties encountered through the earlier debasement of the coinage, of the encouragement given to national industries by the granting of monopolies, and the prohibiton of importation of manufactured goods, and of the great help derived 1 by manufactures from tho immigration of Protestant refugees from Flanders and Prance. He fouched on the enactment passed to deal with the then growing class of sturdy vagabonds who found every encouragement to propagate their kind and deepen tho distress by the system of dole then in operation. At the conclusion of the address the methods at present being adopted in England regarding unemployment .relief and its probable results were briefly discussed, and opinions were exchanged on (he difficulties yet to be surmounted in our monetary system of exchange.