LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16545, 14 July 1925, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A flood caused the Waitaki River to change its course and brought to light the rifle associated with the Hudson tragedy at Wharekuri.

Mokcna Patupatu, farmer, of Otorohanga, has been adjudged bankrupt, A meeting of creditors will be held at Otorohanga on July 23. The returns of infectious diseases 'in the Wellington district show that cases of diphtheria are decreasing, though normal conditions have not been reached.

There are great preparations for the reception of the American Fleet in Sydney. The city authorities and the public are combining [o set the city in order so as to make the visit as enjoyable as possible.

A suggestion has been made that, in view of the complaints made regarding the Mararoa in the Welling-lon-Lyttelton run, she should he replaced by the turbine-steamer Maheno, which is at present out of commission, for the winter months. Steps have been taken lately to improve St. Peter's choir, especially in view of encouraging the boys. Some twenty boys have joined the choir, and have been under training by Mr C. G. Morris. They have made excellent progress and are now able to take parts on their own. The voices of the boys blend exceedingly well, and their ■singing is now an important and pleasing feature of the St. Peter's services. At the first meeting of the newBoard of Directors of the Te Awamutu Terminating Building Society, held on Monday evening, Mr F. H. Vile was reelected for his eighth term as chairman of directors, and Mr R. Dawson was elected vice-chairman. The chairman and Messrs Cruickshank and Dawson were appointed a Valuation Committee. It was decided to hold a ballot in the second group on July 30. This ballot will take place at Cambridge. We have receyed from the proprietors of the Free Lance, Wellington, a copy of its silver jubilee issue, marking the 25th anniversary of our contemporary. A special souvenir issue in honour of the occasion contains in reduced form, a facsimile of the first number Dublished, while other inter 7 estin°r features are cartoons by former Free Lance artists. The production is entirely worthy of this auspicious event in the history of the Free Lance.

The prospects of Mr. L. M. Isitfs bill, providing for the introduction of the study of the Bible into the schools of the Dominion, being passed by Parliament were discussed by Archbishop Avecill, Primate of New Zealand, at the annual meeting of the Church of England Men's Society last evening. "I have done my best to get the bill through the House," the Archbishop said, "but I do not think that it will succeed."

Not much has been heard, lately ptoout what the Health Department is doing to combat maternal mortality from puerperal septicaemia. However, much quiet but useful work has been done. It is probable that- a report on the whole matter will be presented to Parliament shortly and that it will show a marked decline in puerperal septicaemia for the last year. At a meeting of the creditors of Thomas E. Sherson, formerly a resident of Hamilton, but now living in Auckland, it was stated that debtor was a packer, and received £4 8s in wages. His wife had entered into an agreement to lease a house at £5 per week, believing that two sons would make their homes with them. This, however, they had not done. The liabilities £137 17s 6d, were made up of rent and nursing expenses. Debtor said he had tried to get a cheaper house, but had been unable to find one which would accommodate the family, which was composed of ten members. The Official Assignee stated that bankrupt had evidently been "up against it," The creditors passed no resolution.