FLASHES

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 26 August 1915, Page 2

FLASHES

Russia has announced the early summoning of her reserve of eight million men under 35 years of age.

Hoorah for Ireland! The Russians have given the Germans slops on the sea by smashing up no less than eleven of their battleships in the Gulf of Riga. ■

At the meeting of the Hobson County Council last week the sum of £100 was voted to the Wairoa Carnival Fund. The money is not to be given to any specified Queen, but is to be paid into the general fund.

The gardens of Helensville, excepting those the cows get into, then woe betide camelias, cabbage, strawberries, and other suck-like luxuries are looking fine.

"Sixty Years a Queen," illustrating the life and reign of Victoria the Good (1837 to 1901), will be the great feature of the picture programme at the Star Theatre on Wednesday evening next.

The agreement of concession for lightening the town with coal gas was signed by the Town Board last week, so we may shortly expect a start with the erection of the new gas works.

The Hot Springs Domain has received a decided acquisition to their gardens in the shape of a number of choice shrubs and roses, kindly presented by Mr D. A. Hay, Montpellier Nurseries, Auckland.

As the Helensville Theatre will be otherwise engaged on Tuesday evening next, the picture programme for that night will be shown on Wednesday, when "Home, Sweet Home," will be the star item.

The committe of the Presbyterian Church have decided to drop their afternoon service at Kaukapakapa on the fifth Sunday of the month, out of deference to the Church of England, and as a matter of Christian courtesy.

A young recruiting officer, who had done good work, was addressing a crowd one day when he observed a pretty young girl near by with her young man on her arm. " Won't you give your sweetheart to the army ?" he asked her. She hesitated and blushed, and her swain looked uncomfortable. "Well, you see," she replied shyly, " I've already given four,"

Some wag or other—was not aware Helensville possessed one till now —stuck upon the fence of the ECHO'S private house on Sunday last the following— " Notice to tourists and others. Walk right in and view the new cow-pound, once a beautiful flower garden—now a heap of holes and mud. No charge for admission, but be careful of Hel's dog."

Mr A. J. Stonewigg, whose horse Ruatangata ran second in the Spreydon Hurdle Handicap at Riccarfcon last week is a brother of Bishop Stonewigg, the missionary who gave his health and youth in the fever-ridden lands of Papua and retired to dwell at Sydney a few years ago, a nervous wreck of his once sturdy self. A. J. isn't quite as enthusiastic as that in well-doing, but he is a good sort, nevertheless. From England he came to N.Z. about 30 years ago and learned sheep farming at Onga Onga, Hawke's Bay. Later he bought himself a farm in the Forty Mile Bush and made money. From there he went to the Southern Wairarapa and only withdrew from that squattars' valley' when the Government bought him out in order to cut his rich lands into small sections to fit small farmers. Mr Stone Wigg heartily agreed in this policy and with the proceeds vhied him northwards and secured a fair heritage near Helensville on the borders of the tidal waters of the Kaipara Harbour. His hobby has been the keeping of a fast horse or two and his friends will be glad to learn that one of them has got home again.— " Observer."