FLASHES

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 30 March 1916, Page 2

FLASHES

James Hand is now a purchaser of bacon pigs at 6d per lb.

Read "The Beast." If you cannot buy, beg, or steal it, borrow the ECHO'S copy.

Parliament meets some time in the merry month of May, at least we think' it will be made a merry month for the National Government.

With respect to shoeing, etc., by the experts of Helensville, a notice appears elsewhere announcing a general rise in prices, owing to the increased cost of material, etc.

A newtonsorial artist has come to light in the person of Wallie Martin, who comes from a well-known firm of hairdressers in Auckland. He opens on Monday, next to Stewart's bakery.

Constable Driscoll having met with an accident to his foot on Sunday, whilst boarding a boat on a " wanted " intent, is now being relieved by Constable Hill of Auckland.

A strong appeal is being made in Auckland in aid of the Serbian War Relief Fund, and all donations from the district will be gladly received by the Mayor, or W. R. Ellingham, H. H. Ostler, or G-. L. Scansie, members of, the Committee.

Miss Winnifred A. Wilkins, probationer, has been appointed to the Helensville school by the Auckland Board of Education, and Miss D. M. Hart has been appointed as assistant to the Maungaturoto school.

The need for a cheaper supply of lime to fruitgrowers and others North of Auckland, has been brought under the notice of the Minister for Agriculture.— It is time, too, as the land is simply starving everywhere for lime.

Our next-door chemist-neighbour has gone and left us. Evidently enough pills to be had elsewhere in the town. ,We feel lonely. Will someone else come along, just kindly like. The Echo doesn't care if it is only in the umbrella mending line.

A monster stingaree, 7ft long and 4ft 9ins across, was caught in the net this week by Mr G. Bennett, junr., while out after flounder. The ugly and ferocious looking curiosity has been sent to Auckland for exhibition purposes. It is worth 6d to see any day, so long as he or she doesn't run too high.

Mr J. G. Coates, M.P., Mr V. Trounson (Chairman of Hobson County Council), and Mr J. H. McCarroll went to Wellington last week to interview the Prime Minister regarding a grant of £2500 for the Aratapu Road. A bad time surely to expect money from the Governmeut coffers.

Special Harvest Thanksgiving services will be held in the Presbyterian Churches at Kaukapakapa and Helensville on Sunday next. Appropriate hymns, solos and duets. Fruit, produce, and flowers for the festival may be left at the respective Churches on Saturday afternoon.

■ The Government, or perhaps the Police Department, are becoming absolutelyextravagant. The Police Court of Helensville is now being re-painted by the Public Works workmen from "anywhere." The inside of the old rookery is also to receive attention, and a new kauri cabinet for the Clerk of the Court is another added piece of varnished furniture. Dargaville ladies are making preparations for the holding of a Masquerade Leap Year Ball. But Where are the boys to propose to ? We were underHhe impression that they had all gone to t£e war, If there are any left, it is time they made tracks to help their brothers in arms, and never mind the' girls for the present; nor should the girls encourage the " slackers," " Within Our Gates," or " Deeds that won Gallipoli," the greatest patriotic war drama produced, and a subject of surpassing interest, will be shown at the Star Theatre to-morrow (Friday) night. This drama ' should be witnessed by every New Zealander, and the main thread of the story is absolutely true. For Saturday another good programme may be depended upon, and a stirring romance of unusual character, entitled " The Slave Girl," is well worth seeing. A white child is left an orphan, a human brute makes her impersonate a dead Mulatto child, and she is sold into slavery with its inevitable cruelties ; her rescue and subsequent life is throbbing with power and humanity. The chief •attraction for Wednesday eveningl is " The Sisters," a realistic story from the very heart of life, holding the audience enthralled, and ending in a glow of satisfaction to" all.