LOCAL AND GENERAL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12284, 5 April 1918, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

An alarm of firo. which proved to he false, was given from the box at the corner of Armagh Street and Montreal streets at 10.12 o’clock last evening. A statement was published in Wellington a few days ago that it was permissible to dispatch parcels of lea •o Great Britain, but according to the Christchurch postal authorities both tea and butter are among the articles the importation of which into the United Kingdom is prohibited. The Mayor (Mr H. Holland), in accordance with a request from the Minister of Lands, communicated yesterday with the Mayors of Ashbutron, Timaru, Dunedin, Invercargill and other places asking them to co-operate in assisting the siitfcrcs by the North Island bush fires.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that information has been received of the arrival of another New Zealand hospital ship at a port of call, all well; also the arrival at a port of call of a steamer with a number of New Zealand aviator cadets on board-

Miss Ada Reeve and her company, comprising M r Tallcnr Andrews, Mr Kennedy Allen, Miss Peggv Peat., Miss Lucie Linda, Rogero and Mr Harry Jacobs, visited the Consumption Sanatorium yesterday afternoon, and gave a most enjoyable concert to the inmates. The company wore entertained at afternoon tea by the matron and stall. To-day the company will entertain the soldiers at the Hospital. In view of the congestion of race traffic on the tramways at Easter, consequent on the non-running of race trains, the Minister of Railways, the Hon W. H. Herries, was asked, while in Christchurch yesterday, whether there was any possibility of the service being restored. “ Not the slightest,” he replied, “and in view of Lloyd George’s recent statement on man power, the railway staff is likely to be still further depleted.” The quarterly summoned meeting of the Court Star of Canterbury, A.O.F. was hold ou Wednesday Brother W r . Crawford, G. 8., presided. The deßgates to the district meeting were instructed as to the Court’s wishes with respect tc the order paper. The offices filled by the late Brother W*. E. Inglis were balloted for, and Brother A. E Lane, P.C.R., was elected minute secretary and Brother W r . A. Weakley. PC.E, delegate to the Benevolent Association. Dr Temple was elected a medical officer of the Court. One candidate was proposed for membership

The Plunket Society was accorded enthusiastic appreciation on Wednesday night at Sydenham, when a juvenile entertainment was given in aid of its funds. Grateful parents indebted to the nurses resolved to make public their gratitude, and with the assistance of Mr Maling, Mi - s Pritchard and others, arranged a capital entertainment. Mrs Morton, the president of the Plunket Society, thanked those present, and also the performers for supporting the society in such a suitable manner. A lecture on “ Christian Science ” was delivered at the King’s Theatre last evening by Mr William R. Rnthvon, member of the Board of Lectureship of the Mother Church, the First Church of Christ, Boston. Mr C. Booth occupied the chair, and the theatre was more than half full. The lecturer, dealing with the doctrine of Christian Science, contended that its training brought more wisdom and a greater freedom from mistakes into the lives of the people, and a greater power to resist harmful habits and overcome them. He instanced the battles Christian Science had to fight in defeating sinfulness in thought and deed. The lecturer was accorded a very attentive hearing throughout. Tho Minister of Defence states that the Cl camp at Feathcrston has already been the means of turning into soldiers 1100 or 1200 Cl men. I am/’ said the Minister, “impressed with the value of the training, not only in its immediate results, but upon the future of the men who go through the camp. There are good lessons to be learned as a result of this experience in the way of showing the value of physical training and the regular camp life. I was also greatly impressed with the esprit de corps of the camp. There are few men in it who are not keen to become fit, an r ' according to the last figures received, 58 per cent of those who go in succeed in reaching the Class A condition. It is a most astonishing and gratifying success. There are about 1100 men in the camp to-day, and a good many are fit, awaiting their opportunity to go into the reinforcements.”

At last evening’s meeting of the Scottish Society the principal feature of the programme was a paper entitled “The Life of Flora Macdonald,” contributed by Miss Jessie Mackay, and read, in Miss Mackay’s unavoidable absence, by Mr J. Mac-Lean Dun. The paper gave an illuminating outline of the career of one of the most romantic figures in Scottish history, but dissipated the most romantic features of the current legend by denying that Flora Macdonald was actuated "either by personal affection for Prince Charlie or by any conviction of the divinity of his kingly claim. She had compassion for a hunted fugitive, but her affection had been already given to her cousin and future husband, Alan Macdonald, of Kingsborough. The incidents f Prince Charlie’s flight from the mainland to Skye, disguised as an Irish sewing woman were skilfully depicted, and the subsequent history of Flora Macdonald. including her emigration with her husband to America, where the Macdonalds and other Highlanders fought for their old Hanoverian enemy against the rebellious colonists, was interestingly dealt with. The paper was marked by the high literary standard and attractive style characteristic of the author, and was impressively and sympathetically read by Mr Dun, one of Miss Mackay’s oldest journalistic colleagues. Many members expressed their appreciation of the paper at tlm conclusion of the rending. Dr Fellow’s Pile Cones have cured hundreds of Christchurch citizens after every other known remedy had failed. Price 3s 6d box, from chemists, or 'Tract. Loasby’s Pharmacy. 1787 Only the. most artistic portrait is a good enough record of your weddimr. Let us make it. Bridal portraits and wedding groups made by us aro sure to please. Steffano Webb, Petersen’s Buildings High Street. Tele. 198,9. Xts

A Melbourne cablegram received in Christchurch yesterday read The Mortlake 200-miles niotor-cvcie race was won by C. Arnold on an Indian and Dunlop. Tho incomparable Indian recently won the New Zealand championship event in fh o North Island. This and yesterdav’s cabled success emphasises the “ Indian ” reliabilitj. Bell Bros., Agents, Christchurch, . 9100

Mrs M Andersen, of Ashburton, has received a letter from Second-Lienten-“l tho sth Machine Gun Corps, giving particulars of tho death of tier brother, Private W. Grantham. Private Giaiithain was born at Lv Helton, n here his father was for many years proprietor of the Boval Hotel. He was educated at the Marist Brothers School, Christchurch, and left tho Dominion with the 22nd Machine Gun Corps. Second-lieutenant King’s letter >( dated Belgium, January 13, is as follows:—“It is my painful duty to write and inform yon of the death of your brothet (Private AV. AA’. Grantham), who was killed in action last night. A shell came through the roof of the place whore ho was sleeping, and killed him instantly. His mates buried him to-day. and wo are getting a cross made, cjul will erect it over his grave, as soon as we can. May I express to yon, on behalf of the. rest of the section, our sorrow at tho loss of a. gojotl soldier and comrade. AA'e hope that'you will find consolation in the thought that he gave his life for the cause wo all have so much at heart.”