Notes and Events.

Manawatu Herald, 16 December 1893, Page 2

Notes and Events.

Some years ago some philanthropists built the Albert Palace in Batteraea Park at a Co3t of £100,000, of glass and iron, enclosing some three acres of land. The central- ha-U .is nearly a quarter of a niile in length* there is a great music hall capable of seating 5000 persons, and in which is an organ which cost £5000 ; there is also a picture gallery -400 feet long, and annexes large enough for gymnasia for nien and women, -and refreshment rooms, dining rooms, lavatories and all other conveniences The scheme did not pay and it is now for sale at £20.000. An effort is being made to buy it by a combination of the publio bodies interested in the district. Last year Lady Florence Dixie established a girl's seaside oamp in England. She hired three large bell tents and two marquees, besides smaller square teats for use iv bath-

ing. A friend lent her his park, and supplied four boats for the use of the girls, each having a stout old fisherman in command. She then selected a uniforn, a blue flannel jacket and scarlet knickerbockers and a straw hat. The wive 3of the fishermen looked after the girls, thirty of whom weft soon established at the' camp. The result was entirely successful ; the girls stayed there for three weeks, and bathed, rowed, went picnics, and generally romped round, doing all the duties of the camp, fetching and carrying wood and water and everything else. The idea seems excellent and open to imitation, both by boys and girls. A change so dissimilar must be good, and we have a beach most suitable for a camp. The difficulty appears in securing some staid person who would superintend and generally exercise some control. We do not .think tents would be difficult to obtain by applying in the right quarter, and as the holidays will soon be here, a move should be made to try and organise a party for a preliminary trial. " Only a penny " a practical suggestion, is a heading in the last Review of Reviews. It is an exposition by Mr Stead of his view of the scriptural foundation of the Civic Church Of Federal Centre. The remarks offer much food for consideration and deserve all attention. In many ways the suggestions would suit all climes and places. Mr Stead says •• Take for instance, books. Dr Watson wrote to him saying " When I get a good book I feel it is a kind of sin to let it remain on my book shelves unused I" You say, bnt books dont' come back again. Well, suppose they don't ; some do but a book after you have readmit, would remain upon your bookshelves unused, do you not think you might send it round? It might be announced in every church and chapel that if any young man or woman had no intevebting books to read, Mr So-and-So would communicate with those members of the congregation who have libraries, and by this means the whole of the libraries of the Christians of the place might be made useful to everyone.