NEWSY PARS.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 10380, 6 December 1912, Page 4

NEWSY PARS.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

To-day's weather forecast: The Indications are for northerly winds inodedate to strong prevailing, and freshening after about 16 hours ; mild and hazy conditions with increasing haze and cloudiness ; barometer little moveonient, but falling after about 16 hours; seas moderate, tides moderate.

' W'aikato haive retained the South: Auckland Cridk.et Shield, defeating King Cbunti-y by twb runs after an. exciting finish.

"People who have voices showld sing," said Dean Hills at the Sacfred Heart Oiurch, Timairu. There are any announit. of people who cmne to church and never open their mouths. They do not do their duty to Alrmighity God. They simply come to criticise others." '

Mr Andrew Carnegie has made an offer to provide an- annual pension of £5000" to future ex-Presidentn of thu United States, brut it has not been welcomed at Washington (according to a Sydney . Sim cable). Tho .staiteaixent has been made that President Taft^will leave office a comparatively poor m,atai, and that ha will be oibliged to return, to his practice as a lawyer.

The late Mr Macgi-egor, who was lost overboard while returning to Auckland, was a very popular figure in (Auckland 'sporting circles, hie. bright, happy disposition winning for him! the warm friendship of all with whom hie; cam© into ■ close personal touch. He was bom in Auckland . a little over thirty years ago, and was the youngest son of Mr Charles Macgregbr, formerly a contractor. and for many years in charge of road works for the Auckland City Council. He played in the Graf ton senior football team wheni a lad of 16 or 17, and was chosen to represent Auckland in the forward division in 1900 andi 1901. In yaohtinal circles he was also widely known, and for several years he sailed various oraft in the waters of the Waitemata.

There. .was a large audience at' tha Oddfellows' Ball last night when a. .complete, new programme, excellent' in every detedl, was screened. The Vi'tagraph ■ Company airei ■ ses>n in a grand-Hstonc--representation of "Cardinal W.olsey," dealing with Wblsey'a adherence to- the saoredness of maxi'iaig'e .aaid the beginning of the estaiblislimenit of the English Church, ■ in- the reign of Henliy YJII. The r.cting of the principals is splendid, and the setting on a gorgeous scale. "The girl at the key" (Eidison drarmu) and "What fate ordained," (Luibin), together with. - "Rieedham, figure drill" (Initei-eist), and a budget of comedies are the most pro.'mip)&nt of a truly fine selection. "Leaip Yeaa* lottery" (Lubin) in steiamingly funny. The scries will be repeated to-night.

At the To Airohia P'ioiieersi' Ahhociy.tion's annual reunion, to celebrate the 32nd ainaiiversaiiy, there was a> large and representative attendance. Telega-aims were received from Lord and Lady Islington expressing regret at' not being able to be' present. Mr ~\}'. F. Mii'tssey (Pirime Min>ister), Mr ')\ T -._ Hi Herries, Minister for Riailways, and Mr C. J. Parr, Mwyoi' of""Auckland, • also telegraphed apologising' for non-attendance, and wishing the gathering every success. After the athletic meeting a. sonial was held in the even,in,(r ~ in

the P'a-laco Theatre', when there was a very large attondiuice. His Worship the Maynr (Mr R. h. Soiriers), in hisi usual liiippy asid humorous style presented the trophies, after which dancing wasi 'kepitiupl till midnight.

The fruit season in the Thames district promises to be a highly successful . one, and orchaa-dists • anticipate ai busy tame. The fruit is coming on well, and in some ias:taaw:es! whipniienlts Ivsjxtq ' be^u. sentb away to Auciklaind and other' districitsi. Tho sMpineaifcsi teonLpa'iscil mainly yprioots in a half ripe conditiom., and fine 'specimens they were too. They were grown at Taa'ani '■ and on tihe Coast, and;. the opinion heard expressed imany times that sea air hals a beneficial effeot on fruit, seeuns well boati.e- out, 'W'heai the fine quality of the fruit sent aiwaiy and " the eiatfly ripenimg! is tiaiken In;bo cumsidei-aition. Plums, appleSj and peaches are being gro^vii e|xtensively and: piroifici cw'opst seem assured. A*3" a fruit growing .district Thainifiig is just begmning to be b'l'O'iighib undea* public notice, and. a. properous future is predicted for it.

The private tennis oourb'adjoining Davia's boarding house in Codirane St. was fclio scene of much gaiety yeoterday afternoon on-the occasion of till© formal opening'- of- St. George's j tennis club. Ample seating' accommodation was provided under the shady trees for a large number of visitors who spent a decidedly pleasant afternoon, in chatting and viewing; the matches, a much appreciated diversion being the partaking of afternoon! tea which was handed 1 round by a bevy of energetic young ladies. Mr W. Scott bv'asi oatierer and as usual, he pro-' vided most toothsome delicacies. Several r keenly con tested games were played on the court during the afternoon amd continued until dusk. The formal opening may be classed as decidedly successful. Miss. Elsie Price •' proved an able secretary and together ' with the committee responsible for the tea arrangements, must be com- ' piimented on the success which attended their efforts.