TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19865, 13 June 1927, Page 3

TAIHAPE

SERIOUS ACCIDENT At about 10.15 a.m. on Saturday, Joseph B. Anderson, a wood merchant of Taihape, met with a serious accident. He was ascending the steps of the railway overhead bridge when he suddenly fell backwards and tumbled down the steps on to the railway platform. It was at once realised that his injuries were serious and Mr L. Stemp, a local railway examiner, summoned Dr. Mac Diarmid and the unfortunate man was removed to the hospital, where an examination showed that Anderson’s spine had been injured .at the neck. He is in a critical condition. About 35 years of age, he resides in the O’Taihape Valley. COURT NEWS On Saturday Michael O’Halloran and Percival Edmond Griffin appeared in the Court before Messrs J. P. Aldridge and F. W. Stringer, J.P.’s on charges of drunkenness and being idle and disorderly persons with insufficient lawful means of support. On the charge of drunkenness accused were each fined £l, seven days being allowed in which to find the money. On the charge of being idle and disorderly accused were convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within six months if called upon*

INQUEST An inquest was opened before the Coroner (Mr J. P. Aldridge) on Saturday, into the circumstances surrounding the death of Francis Thomas Rathbone, who was admitted to the Wanganui Hospital on May 21 suffering from a paralytic fit and died on Friday, June 10* _ After evidence of identification had been given by Mr Joseph Webb, farmer, of Taihape, the inquest was adjourned until 10 o’clock on June 16. Deceased was a native of England, aged about 47, and had a permanent ini jury to one arm. He resided in Pipe ! Street and was employed as a stockman I by Mr J. Webb. DBUTDS’ INSTALLATION The ceremony of the installation of I officers of the A.A’.O.D. Lodge was held on Friday evening when the following were installed: —A.D. Bro. C. Malmo, V.H.D. Bro. F. Ireland, secretary, Bro. J. G. Tait, treasurer, Bro. W. Milne, auditors, Bro. F. W. Stringer I and Bro. R. M. Sheldon, O.G. Bro. R. I Cameron, I.G* Bro. W. M. Sharp. During the evening toasts were honl oured and musical items rendered.

GENERAL NEWS There was a large attendance at the weekly euchre party held under the auspices of the Anglican Church. Prizes were won by Mrs D. Bailey (12 games out of 16) and the Rev. E. J. Rich (11 games). The latter had to play off with Mr L. Needham. Messrs Barrowman and Eaton were in charge of the card room and Mesdames Gam by and Barrowman supervised the supper arrangements. At the weekly euchre party held by the Ohotu Social Club the successful competitors were Miss L. Thurston and Mr A. Thurston. The monthly aggregate trophies were won by Mrs C. Brickland and Mr AV. Johns. There was a good attendance despite the cold weather. Messrs R. Hardy and A. Clinton were in charge. A local resident who was grazing his sheep on the Recreation ground had some killed on Thursday night by dogs who had previously been worrying the sheep.

LITERARY CLUB The Taihape Literary Club met on Friday evening for the purpose of reading Oliver Goldsmith’s famous play “She Stoops to Conquer.” Mr W. E. Hird, M.A., presided over an excellent attendance. In the course of a brief resume of the play, Mr G. King said the author was one of an illustrious company of Irishmen who had done much to enrich English literature. Goldsmith was a most versatile writer, his talents covered a wide range. As a poet his charm and simplicity captivated all hearts. His best known poems were “The Traveller’’ and “The Deserted Village.” The latter and Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” were, he said, two of the best known poems in the English language. As a writer of prose Goldsmith ranked very high and his “Vicar of Wakefield” was one of the finest of novels. Goldsmith was also an essayist and a very able dramatist as is shown by his play “She Stoops to Conquer” which was first produced on March 15, 1773. Its success was immediate and enduring and to-day it was generally recognised as one of the three best comedies on the English stage. Goldsmith had much difficulty in getting his play produced and it was only by the express interposition of Samuel Johnstone that Goldsmith’s wish was realised. But when “She Stoops To Conquer” was produced and became known all doubts as to its success vanished and the applause which greeted it was spontaneous, hearty and uninterrupted. Skilful in construction, nicely various in its contrasts of character, rich and strong in unflagging humour and comic scenes “She Stoops To Conquer” bed en-n-

tinued to provide an inexhaustable supply of laughter to more than lour gv...erations of playgoers. The play was read by members of the Club, all of whom gave fine interpretations of the characters they represented. The cast was as follows: Tony Lumkin, Mr W. E. Hird; Sir Chas. Marlow. Mr W. Cassidy; Young Marlow. Mr D. Kelley; Mr Hardcastle, Mr G. King; Chas. Hastings. Mr C Perry; Diggory, Mr A. C. Joblin; Mrs Hardcastle, Mrs D. Gordon; Miss Hardcastle, Mrs Hird; Miss Neville, Miss G. James; Maid, Mrs Upchurch.