LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16095, 19 September 1924, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Cambridge Musical and Elocutionary Competitions, held recently, show'a credit balan'ce of about £ls. The takings' were about the same as last year, but the expenses were heavier.

The Hamilton Municipal Band will play selections at Steele Park to-mor-row afternoon during the Rugby League match, Auckland v. South Auckland, for the Northern Union Cup.

Reduction in the cable rates' to Britain as from December 1 next, bringing the Government rate down to Is 2d, ordinary rate to 2s 3d, and deferred rates to Is lid, were announced by the Postmaster-General, Hon. J. G. Coates, In the House of Representatives. fc There was a brief sitting of the Lower Court this morning, the only case being against Duncan Armadale Bennett, a settler of Tamahere, who was fined 5s and costs for allowing his motor car to island in Victoria Street for a longer period than thirty minutes.

A successful sale of wcrk in connection with St. Paul's Methodist Church was brought to a close last evening. Notwithstanding the inclemency or the weather, business was brisk all the lime and resulted in takings of about £l3O, a most satisfactory result. A cablegram from London states that Caotain Foster's book, entitled "Scven'te'en Hundred Miles in An Open Boat," has been published. The newspapers contain appreciative notices. This thrilling tale of the adventures of. (he Trevessa survivors was compiled from a pocket-book entered up daily during the 23 days of the lifeboat's voyage.

A grant of £IOOO per annum lo the Auckland University College for the, maintenance and running of a school of forestry, has been approved bv the Cabinet as well as an inaugural grant of £OOO toward equipment. The income of £IOOO is intended to provide for a professor and assistant lecturer in forestry. The same grants have been approved for Canterbury College.

Says the Defence report: War medal*, *lli:nilnajted certificates, plaques, and scrolls- have been issued in all cases when; the addresses of the soldiers or next-of-kin entitled to same are known to the Department, but there are slill 410 191.4-15. Stars, 11),03i) British war medals, and '.)GSO Victory medals unclaimed, while Gl9B illuminated certificates, 10 plaques, and 10 scrolls slill await claimants'. Steps are taken to issue the medals. clr., upon addresses becoming known to (he Department, or mi application, and during the past year 00 Stars. 960 Brilish war medals, and 1180 Victory medals and 730 certificates have been disposed of in this manner. All returned soldiers who have not yet received the medals to which they are entitled should af once apply to the Defence Department for theto-

The Defence report states: "A roll of honour in book form, containing the names of all members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who were killed in action or died of wounds or other causes as a result of war service, has recently been compiled and published. The book also contains matter outlining the work of the Imperial War Graves' Commission in the construction of cemeteries and treatment of war graves, and a short description is also given of each of the battlefield memorials erected by New Zealand in the battlefield arcofS" to commemorate the exploits of the New Zealand Division." Speaking: of the blackberry pests in the country districts at the Waikato Farmers' Union meeting yesterday, the president said that the menace was not being coped with, and in many instances the pest is being allowed Jo drift along. The Government's attention had been drawn to the position, and the speaker thought that a body similar to Rabbit Boards to deal with the situation the best proposition. Members agreed with the view expressed, and the executive are to bring before the Department the questigpi of forming boards along the lines of Rabbit Boards to deal with the question of noxious' weeds. The St. Andrew's Senior Young Men's Bible Class held their annual meeting and social in the St. Andrew's Hall last evening, Rev. J. T. Burrows presiding at the meeting and Mr Ernest S. Smith at the social. The meeting was preceded by a dinner at 6 p.m. Prior to discussion of general business occasion was taken to tender and felicitations to the retiring leader, Mr F. Findlay, and to extend a hearty welcome to his successor in office, Mr Coles, lately from Masterton. Officer's were elected as follows':—President, Rev. J. T. Burrows; leader, Mr -Coles; deputyleaders, Messrs Ernest S. Smith and D. M. Ross; secretary-treasurer, Mr D. M. Ross. A particularly bright social comemnced at S p.m., members of the Hamilton and Frankton senior classes being present. Interspersed throughout games' and competitions were musical and vocal items by Misses Dempster, Edgecumbe, ana Harvey, and Mr Brian Craig. An evening of action, mirth, and jollity concluded at 11 p.m. with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem.