LATE LOCALS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11764, 31 July 1916, Page 3

LATE LOCALS.

Mr J. A. Frost, manager of the Queen's Theatre is visiting Rotoruu, and will be away for about three weeks.

Mr P. K. Goodsir, secretary for the leather industries art union committee, has sent the Mayor two prizes in the competition, one a lady's writing case and the other a pair of leggings, with a note stating that tho prizes havo been handed to the committee by the winners with instructions that they should he sold and the proceeds given to tho Patriotic Fund.

A meeting of shearers and shedhands was held in the Socialist Halt Christchiirch. yesterday. Mr F. C. .Ellis presided, and the following motion was carried:- '' That a remit bo sent to tho conference' that no shearer make any agreement for any rate of shear;'-./. until the executive of tho union meets the employers." A meetiug of tho Fabian Society was held on Wednesday, the chair being. secured by Mr J. A. M'Cullough. The secretary, Mr W. Ensom, reported that regular supplies of literature were coming to hand, and wero being disponed of. Correspondence was read detailing tho formation of the New Zealand Labour Party, and it was decided that the Fabian Society should affiliate to •t. A communication from the Jiritisu Independent Labour Party, asking for subscriptions to tho Keir Hardie memorial fund was read, and it was resolved Je open a subscription Mst. Tho dangers which beset the ways of unprotected girls arriving in the city by steamer and train are fully appreciated by the leaders of tho Young Vvomen's C&rirftian Association in Auckland, says the Auckland "Star." 'tor some time past there has been a representative of tho association present upon the arrival of certain trains and of steamers from Australia and overseas in order to watch for any young women who seem to be alone and friendless. In addition, also, upon receipt of requests from other centres arrangements have been made to meet girls who have allied themselves .with the Y.W.C.A. elsewhere. In a. report made to the annual meeting of the organisation the other night, it was stated that fewer girls have been travelling during tho past year than pcior to tho war.

A successful concert wa? given in aid of the Rod Cross Funds on Friday evening last, in tho Town Hall at Hororata. Mr Godfrey Hall presided, and the hall was packed by the residents from all parts "of the district. A concert party from Christchiirch under tho direction of Mr F. C. Raphael supplied the evening's entertainment. Songs were given, by Mrs F. C. C'otlier and Miss M. Allen and Mr C. Joll, a ballad horn solo by Mr F. C. Raphael, a fluto solo by Mr F. Bullock, a piano solo by Mr H. V. Row©, humorous items by Mr Sydney Brett and Mits Dorothy" Davis, and a patriotic address by Mr'K. D. Hoben. "At tho conclusion of the concert Mr Godfrey Hall proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the performers for the excellent entertainment, and cheers wero given.

Ono of the loading pastoralists of the Wellington district died on Thursday last. This was Mr Arthur Drake, who had been engaged in farming pursuits on the west coast of this island since boyhood. Mr Drake was born at «lohnsonville on March 10, 1850. His parents arrived at Wellington on the day of the foundation of the province. January '22, 1840, making the voyage to New Zealhind in the Aurora. On September 23,' 1885, the deceased settler married a daughter of tho late "William Halse. For a. long time he held interests in grazing properties at Pa tea and Manakau, eventually making the latter place his permanent homo—at about the time of tho opening of the railway lino from Wellington to Longburn. The late Mr Drake was every well-known the Horowhemia district, and was held in high esteem by Pakeha. and' Maori alike. Nine of the men who had been'called to serve on the common jury to-day at tho Supreme Court criminal sessions, ashed to bo excused, on various grounds. One man was over sixty years of age. and was automatically let off. Several pleaded that they could get nobody else to look after their businesses. One. a boot repairer, urged that it was difficult to get boots repaired these days, owing to so many men being away at the front. His shop'was full oi children's boots awaiting repairs, and it was in the interests cf the children that he asked to bo excused. His application was successful. Another man said that he was a dairyman, and had a milk round, and bad to get up at 3.-15 a.m. He was excused. One other man said that owing to a cold, he was temporarily deaf intone car, but could' hear all ru-ht the other. His Honor said that this was an instance where it would not matter if what went in ono car came out at the other. (Laughter). The application would bo granted.