LATE LOCALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1918, Page 3

LATE LOCALS.

There will be a rehearsal of the “Paul Jones” chorus to-uiglit at 7.30. o’clock sharp at Princess Theatre .

The Overseas Orchestra practice toj morrow evening in the P:< ncoss Theatre at 8 o’clock sharp. A full attndnnce : is requested. ! Messrs M. Houston and Co. direct ; attention to their auction sale to-mor- ! row afternoon in the mart of a large consignment of furniture almost new. Also of hams and bacon. We have to thank the Defence Minister for a large budget of pamphlets on various phases of the war, and illustrated papers showing the work of munition factories and tho manner in which the women are “carrying on” to enable the men to get to the front. The pictures are illuminating, the pamphlets are informative, and every paper is full of interest. The interruptions to Christchurch’s supply of electricity have not been without humorous incidents. One oi these occurred in the Government Buildings when the electric power wat suddenly cut off on Wednesday morning. A certain officer of the Defence Department was on his way to keep an appointment at District Headquarters, and with a cheerful faith in the electric supply, he stepped into the elevator on the ground floor. But the roof of the elevator had scarcely drawn level with the first floor, on which the Defence Department’s offices are situated, when, the power went off, and tho cage was left “stranded” between the floors, in the dark shaft. And there the gallant officer and the elevator attendant had to remain for about lialf-an-hour, wliilt a Public Works electrician was sent for, and the cage was “wound” dowi. to the bottom floor again. The officers of the Maori on Tuesday morning, on the vessel’s arrival nt Lyttelton, stated that the previous night’s trip was tho worst the ferry steamer had experienced for five years. \ it will certainly be a memorable trip tc a party of four ladies, and ’’So the passengers also of the top deck cabins, who wore startled at 12.45 a.m by cries of “An explosion! An explosion!” The four lady passengers, apparently startled by the sound of smashing crockery underneath them, and the crash oi deck chairs overhead, which followed a particularly bad list of the ship, rushed upstairs panic-striken. Two of then; later explained that what did happen was that an elderly* lady was first to give the alarm, whereupon all four endeavoured to don lifebelts, but without effect. They then rushed upstairs, lifebelts in hand, clad in nightdresses only. And yet the only consolation to their distressful cries came from the proverbial Scotsman —an A.B. on the ship—- “ Fur . . . goodness sake get t< vour beds!”

The local lied Cross Committee h»ve been presented with a number of useful and beautiful articles to be disposed of for the benefit of the Fund. Those include five handsome and educational volumes of Encyclopedia of N.Z., donated by Mr John. S. Fang; a large, handsome ami valuable flag (N.Z. Ensign) donated by Mrs W. Stewart; five beautiful photographic studies of Westland scenery—three, donated by Dr Teichelmann from his well-known beautiful collection and handsomely framed bv Messrs F. Peake and Ross Bros. One donated by Miss Burke and the other by Mr Ben Theim (both pictures artistically framed); also n handsome comprehensive volume of “History of Ireland’ ! donated by Mr F. "W. Thompson. Those very desirable art treasures are to be disposed of by raffle (by permission of the Minister of Internal Affairs) and to enable juvenile supporters of the Red Cross Organisation as well ns the older ones, an opportunity of participating the tickets have been priced at the small sum of sixpence. The prizes are exhibited in Miss Burke s and Mr Preston’s windows. Don’t forget the boys all need Red Cross assistance and that your money goes direct to London to be expended for their care and comfort.