FLASHES

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 3 August 1916, Page 2

FLASHES

The first four Maori contingents had a total strength of 1217 Maoris and halfcastes.

Six towns in Northern Ontario have been destroyed by fire, 200 people being incinerated.

A blessing in disguise is closing down the session probably to-morrow (Friday) night.

Fight on, fight ever, for Eight and not for Might, is the order of to-morrow's memorial services and gatherings all over the British possessions.

Euchre and dance, in aid of Church of England Ladies' Guild, Star Theatre, on Monday evening next. Everyone invited.

During the past week the Town Board has done excellent work in the shape of filling up the ruts and muddy places on the roads with metal.

Subscribe to the Overseas Tobacco Club. Our boys at the front want to smoke your health. Mr W. Allen, at Stewart Bros.' store, has the list; Is up to 5s accepted.

A heavy loss of life and damage to the extent of £15,000,000 resulted from a terrific explosion at New Jersey City, on the Hudson River, opposite New York.

Great indignation has been aroused in Britain and neutral countries by the shooting by the Germans of Captain Fryatt, of the British steamer Brussels which was recently captured by the

enemy

The anti-shouting clause in the War Regulations Amendment Bill was adopted by the House in the third-reading debate by 56 votes to 15. The 9 o'clock closing proposal was defeated by one vote.

The partial eclipse of the sun last Sunday afternoon was clearly visible in Helensville, the sky being very clear and bright. The eclipse lasted two hours 28 minutes, and at its greatest phase nearly half the sun was obscured.

The Auckland branch of the Navy League has received donations to its fund for the relief of naval dependants, totalling £15,749, and the campaign has been closed.

The worst dreadful murder of all is that of Captain Fryatt, of the British steamer Brussells, who was shot by the Germans after a mock court-martial, on a charge that not being a member of an armed force, he attempted to ram a German suh marine.

A service was held in the Parakai Hall on Sunday afternoon last, the Rev. L. J. Hodson officiating, for the purpose of commemorating the death of Private Lloyd Russell, who was killed in action on 2nd July. There was a'large congregation, and members of the Halensvllle Rifle Club were also in attendance.

Foremost on Saturday's programme at the Star Theatre is a very fine Nordisk drama, "The Lure of the Circus"—a story at all times interesting and exciting, holding enthralled those who witness it. The supporting pictures include some splendid dramatic and humorous studies, the latest Topical Budget, and a beautiful Pathe scenic of Trentino.

Patronising our Office upon a Thursday morning, visit, we noticed two of our noted townsmen at the door-way, and thanked them for their thoughtfulness in helping to prop-up the ECHO, as 'it wanted such by one and all. They did not appear to see the joke at the time, though both smiled the smile of support and recognition. One was a HAND and the other a STRINGER, both necessary adjuncts to strengthening a building or enterprise. We have since discovered that " butter-fat " was on top.

Mary Pickford's many admirers will welcome the announcement that on Wednesday, at the Star Theatre, she will appear in her crowning triumph in that beautifully enacted romance, " Such a Little Queen." In the role of the little Queen of Hertzgovina, Mary—the entrancing, exquisite, and emotional idol of the picture world—has ample scope for her wonderful talent. Vivid and passionate, and at times supremely humorous, is the unfolding of the heroine's exciting adventures and romantic love story. A queen's life in peace and revolution, amid scenes of treachery and intrigue, and the triumph of a woman's tenderness and sympathetic influence, are depicted with a charm that is at once dramatic, picturesque and delightful.

If it is desired by the settlers on the land who make the town, and it should be so, then the ECHO wishes to prevail upon them the importance of keeping "their organ" going, by supplying it with every available valve in order to let the music of progress and suggested improvements go a good goer. Certainly it will cost contributors the postage, but then, on the other hand, as we make no charge for their half-columns at a time, it is clearly a matter of ' quid pro que.'— Try it, please, and while you are at it, get us a few new good subscribers to help run the cycle of time. "Noblese oblige."*