NEWS AND NOTES

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2921, 11 August 1925, Page 1

NEWS AND NOTES

Tt is an old saying' that the House of Commons is tho best flub in

Europe. The members are this year to have golf competitions, tennis competitions, shooting .competitions; and some of the Labour .Members are arranging for pigeon races for their constituents. The birds are to be set free from Westminster. They are considering the erection of more seating accommodation at Lord’s cricket ground, which proves that cricket is becoming more attractive than it was. But Lord's is not called so because, as one visitor thought, only nobility played there. It is named after Thomas Lord, who laid out a pitch in 1780 on quite a different site. During the steamer Hinemoa’s recoiil trip to Xiue, several members of her crew, while roaming about the island came upon a native church meeting. On account ol the violent hurricanes which sweep across the island, the churches of Xiue, it may be explained, built low and round, differ in but few respects from the ordinary native dwelling houses. Unaware that a religious service was in progress, the sailors decided to join in what to them appeared a merry sing-song. On entering the lml they were greeted with low chantings in the native tongue, to which for a time they listened attentivey. But being themselves somewhat musically inclined, the intruders, still unaware, that they were within _ a native church, at length gave full throat to the rollicking chorus of “Abe, My Boy.” Sailors and natives then got on well together, and the sing-song continued well into the night. .1 he following day the men from the ship were literally showered with presents ranging from heads to baskets, the gifts of the islanders to the iirst white men who had attended their church.