LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 14 December 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The latest addition to the Telephone Exchange is No. 398, Mr. Ray A. Saunders, fruiterer and confectioner,' Victoria Avenue.

During 1912 six and a quarter millions have been expended on new buildings in Sydney, an increase of threequarters of a million. Tne new buildings number- nearly eight thousand, -tsotn are records.

The Beautifying Society has mapped out a big programme for this season, and a meeting of all workers is call€d for v Momday evening. TOhe "wonk which the Beautifying Society does benefits everybody, so it is everybody's duty to assist.

The Christmas number of the "Observer" is this year again a very entertaining journal. It is brightly written, and -the illustrations - and caricatures (which are a distinguishing feature) make up a budget of mirth and merriment which should find a ready sale

In reference to tho_ advertisement re railway arrangements for Christmas and rsew Year holidays, we specially direct, the attention of readers to the special passenger train running between Marton. Wanganui, and Hawera on 24th December. The train leaves Wanganui at 2-10 p.m.

A team from the Collegiate School Cadet Corps fired on Thursday afternoon in the Schools of Empire snooting competition. Though the light was not too good, the strong sunligM being dazzling, the very satisfactory total of 481 out of a possible of 560 was put up. The scores of the eight cadets were— Two at 62 (possible 70), four at 61, one at 57, and ono at 56.

Mr. Fred Pirani, chairman of the Board of Directors, yesterday addressed about 600 children at the Hawera District High School, and ho complimented the school on the fact that it had just passed a splendid examination. The children were asked if they would like a half holiday, and a unanimous assent; it is needless to say, was most heartily given.

Our report of Canon Garland's meeting at St. Paul's Hall last evening is : held over till Monday, as is a quantity of other interesting matter.

Attention is drawn to the Brotherhood meeting to-morrow afternoon in the Central Hall. Canon Garland is the advertised speaker on that much discussed subject, "The Bible in # Schools." A number of prominent citizens are expected to be present, and Mr. W. G. Bassett will preside. Special selections will be played by the orchestra. A pleasant and profitable afternoon is in store for those who attend.

The Magistrate, Mr. W. Eerr, was engaged yesterday hearing the serious charge laid against Alexander iWaugh. The accused was committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court. (Messrs. T. D, Cummins and J. L. Stevenson, J.P.'s. yesterday concluded the hearing of the serious charge laid by a Halcombe resident against a young man, D. A. Fraser. The charge was dismissed. Mr, Mackay appeared for Fraser, and Messrs. Christie and Gordon for plaintiff.

The Wanganui Fruitgrowers',Association , meet this evening, at Dustin's Rooms, at 7 o'clock, to discuss the Postal Department's new scheme of fruit distribution, and as this question is of great importance to growers of fruit no doubt there will be a large attendance. Tho Association also calls attention to the fact that Messrs. G. H. Pownall and Co., Victoria Avenue, will receive names of all those who desire fo> join their now scheme of pruning and spraying fruit trees. Those having fruit trees would do well to take advantage of this scheme, which will soon be started.

The complimentary'social tendered by the City Band to all who took part iii tho bazaar, was a great success The Druids' Hall was well filled, over 200 being present, and the evening's entertainment was greatly, enjoyed. .A capital programme of musical items and games was provided. During the evening, advantage was taken of the occasion to present Miss Ruby Curiiam with a gold watch (wristlet). On behalf of the -City Band, Mr. G. Bucldey, conductor, made the presentation. He spoke in very high terms of the services rendered by all the performers, and especially by (Miss Curham.

Messrs. Russell and Bignell, the contractors for the erection of the Gonville Presbyterian ChuVch, have completed their work in a most satisfactory manner before the specified^ time, and the building is now in readiness for the opening ceremony as advertised for next Tuesday evening, when Professor Ilewitson will conduct the service. The building is 26ft. by 46ft., with a suitable porch in front and seating accommodation for 160. It is well lighted by gas, and has an ante-room fitted with a ring and sink for social purposes. It will also be used as a Sunday School Hall, and will be none too large for the 100 children now in attendance at the Town Hall. It is situated in Gonville Avenue near to where the Kororaiko road tram passes. A' crowded meeting is expected on Tuesday next.

Though little known yet, the Mokau River has been pronounced superior to the far-famed Wanganui by the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie and .many "others who have traversed its waters. During the next few weeks the glorious ibush scenery will be seen, at its best. To reach the river, the best way is to motor or drive over Mount Messenger, itself furnishing some of the finest bush gorge scenery, in the Dominion, and1 through some of the most beautiful and historio country in New Zealand. As a base of operations there is New Plymouth, the "ideal holiday centre," whence Mount Egmont may atfso -be easily reached. ;. The secretary of, the New Plymouth Expansion and Tourist League will be glad to {furnish' inquirers with all particulars on receipt of a oostcard..

The Garrison Band will play the fol-v i^ win, g Pr°gramme in the Botunda on Monday evening, commencing at 8 o'clock:—March, "Action Front" (Blackenburg); valse, "Bacchanale" (Kimmer) ; intermezzo, "Cavalferia Busticana" (Mascagni) (soloist ißandsman W. Frances); grand selection, "Faust" (Gounod); cornet solo, "ILBacio" (Arditi) (soloist Bandsman F. Wood); descriptive^pieee, "A Sleigh Ride" (JulIem); selection, "Count of Luxembourg" (Lehar); selection, "(Preciosa" (Weber); valse, "Coldstream" (Godfrey); intermezzo, "In the Shadows" (Fmck). It will-be seen from the above programme, that' the musical tastes of all are catered for, and as the Garrison Band's high standard of efficiency is so well known, a large attendance of the public may be anticipated, as the object is to assist the Applied Art Scholarship fund

There are some patriotic youngsters in Wanganui—boys who have no time for Germany or what it produces. According to a story told to our travelling reporter it appears that a ladv went into a local store and purchased some wearing apparel attached to which was a ticket bearing the well known trade indicator, "Made in Germany. The mother was not looking for trade locality tickets, and so they escaped her observation, otherwise, being aware of her boys'- objections to German productions, she would not have made the purchases. However, when she reached home and opened the parcels, the lads' keen eyes soon discovered what mother had failed to see, and no amount of persuasion can induce them to wear the articles. "Made in Germany" i s certainly no commendation' to the Wangaruu boys in question, who only favour British inado goods.

, At the Police Court yesterday morning the hearing of the charge of alleged indecent assault against B. A. Fraser was continued. For the defence a married sister of the complainant deposed that on the day after the alleged assault the complainant came to her house, where the defendant was then staying, and stated that she ioved the defendant and had been unduly intimate with him on many occasions. The sister'told her that the defendant had recently become engaged to a younger sister, ine complainant became very excited, and declared that the marriage should not tako place. That afternoon the witness heard the complainant ask the defendant to return to Holcombe, and on his refusing she charged him with having criminally assaulted her. At this stage the justices stopped 1 'Elio hearing of the case and dismissed the charge.

Open air instruction is given at the Hawera District High School (writes our travelling reporter), and yesterdiay, when Mr Fred Pirani (chairman of the Board of Education), and Mr G D. Bnaik (Director of Education), 'and Messrs O'Dea and Dixon, memfeers of the Board, paid a surprise visit to the school, they found two" classes, numbering about 60, receiving instruction under the friendly shade of the trees. Ma*. Pirani spoke to tho children and questioned them as to whether they liked their lessons in school or out of doors, and an unanimous verdict was given by the little ones in favour of outdoor instruction. This ipnaofcice is followed at Htaiwera, and there is no doubt that the youngsters fully appreciate the open air instruction, besides which, in hot weather they are not so liable to get sleepy as when sitting down in a, school building, the atmosphere of which accelerates drowsiness. Under the latter conditions the work of teachcra and class generally cannot possibly be effective, and there fe no) doubt that if open air instruction wore more .generally adopted in fine weather better results would be achieved.

The four local policemen—Constables McGilligan, McMullen, Anderson, and Wilson—who have been serving their country at Huntly,-returned to Wanganui yesterday. " i

Owing to a spell of dry, hot* weather, , Invercargill's -water supply is proving inadequate, and consumers are being ; warned not to waste supplies. An agita- \ tion is ibeing commencea to increase the j supplies y sinking another well at the j water tower, or bringing in. a gravitation supply. ,