Prayers in School.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 May 1938, Page 6

Prayers in School.

The New Zealand Secondary Schools’

Association carried the following motion at its annual conference yesterday:—“That in view of the public ■statement that the Education Amendment Bill provides for the abolition of opening devotional exercises in controlled by the Department of Education and their abolition in secondary schools, if such is the intention of the present Government, it be strongly opposed.” There was no discussion, but a few “noes” were heard when the motion was put.

Thanksgiving Fund. An ambitious scheme to raise £300,000 by 1940 as a centenary thanksgiving fund has been efitbarked on by the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. The objects of the £300,000 fund are to provide £200,000 for the liquidation of existing congregational debts; £25,000 for home, foreign and Maori mission Work; £25,000 to provide a fund, the income of which is to be used to augment the stipends of ministers and home missionaries; £25,000 for the beneficiary fund of the church; and £25,000 to form a special fund for sites and buildings. Some Large Sharks. A number of large sharks, ranging in length from nine feet to 12 feet, were caught by members of the crew of the motor ship Matua, when the vessel was lying off the reef at Mangaia, in the Cook Group, on her recent trip round the Islands. When the Matua arrived at Auckland recently those on board said the water was very clear where the men were fishing,' and the sharks, apparently very hungry, rushed the bait as soon as it was thrown overboard. An Awkward Plight.

With a foot wedged in a split pile, a Birkenhead resident, Mr Oliver G. Goldsmith, aged 70, hung downward with head and shoulders in the water for some moments after falling when boarding a ferry boat for Birkenhead at Auckland on a recent afternoon. A rope quickly secured his head above waler before the difficult task of lifting him was carried out. Mr Goldsmith was taken to hospital, suffering from slight concussion and shock. His condition was not serious.

Design for Decoration. An invitation to Mr J. A. Lee (Parliamentary Undcr-Secretary in charge of Housing) to tell a gathering of relumed soldiers at Invercargill how he won his D.C.M., was smilingly ac-

cepted. "I got my D.C.M.,” he said. ■ simply by kicking a man in the stern sheets.' I stood my gun in a corner, walked into a pillbox with a grin on my face, and kicked a German officer fairlv in the pants. I must add. however’ that I haven't got my medal. Although General Godley gave it to me in France, somebody stole it from me at Panama." Mr Lee also told the gathering that bayonets were used far more for sticking into clay banks for hanging things on than for lighting, and on the occasion of an inspection by a general he had been unable to remove the stains from the bayonet and restore it to its pristine beauty. The general examined the tarnished weapon carefully, and then, running his finger down it, enquired: "What's this, Lee? Blood? ’

The man or woman who is a good conversationalist at table is always welcome, says a hostess. Unless it so happens that the others are trying to play bridge.