LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1924, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The young man, M. McLean, who was seriously injured while descending the stairs in the Victoria boardinghouse on Sunday, was reported early this morning to be still in a serious condition/

j The price of jam has been increased in • Auckland to the retailers to the extent of a half-penny per pound ail-rouiid. On the better class jams the increase is a tarthing per pound, and on • the. second class goods it is three farthing*.per pound. Ninety seems a fair limit, of- .age at which to give up mounting ladders to fix window blinds. Mr. Cornelius Deverall, of Auckland, was, however, a year older when last week he undertook this job, but bad the misfortune .to sustain, a . heavy fall, fracturing his thigh and necessitating h's removal to the hospital. Some folks refuse to acknowledge they are growing old, even when approaching the oentury: The daily reading of Scripture passages and of the school prayers was upheld by the headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School, Mr. J. Drummond, at the prizegving ceremony. He said the practice had been readily accepted by parents and pupils, and no pressure, direct or indirect, had been exerted by the school authorities. He believed it was easily possible to retain this strong influence for good without interfering in any way with the religious beliefs of parents or pupil*. “It is many years since there has been such an air of prosperity in the country as there is this Christmas,” was the expression of members of the Relief Committee of the Auckland Hospital Board, after holding their last meeting for- the year. This was reflected in cases which had been revised, and which were reported on by officers of . the board. Many letters were received a taring that owing to the improved Conditions of things help would not be needed any longer. “Thia was repeated so often that it acted like an -inspiration to those whose work is of a most depressing nature,’ said the chairman, “and it was a pleasing opening, for the festive eeason.”

Instances in which children are obliged to rise early and assist their parents in farm work before attending, school, and in consequence are rendered unfit for school work, were referred to at a meeting of the Auckland Education Board. Information was sought from Morrinsville as to the powers of the board .in the matter. “This is a question requiring careful consideration,’ said the chairman, Mr. A. Burns. If the child’s assistance was essential on account of its parents’ poverty, the board would have to sympathise, but if it was a matter of greed more stringent action would be taken. It was decided to make further inquiries.