LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 128, 8 September 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In many quarters ability to sing is regarded as a natural gift peculiar to Maoris, and it is hence inferred that good singina is heard in all schools where there are Maoris. "Our experience does not lead us to this conclusion. We have heard vile singing in Maori schools, and in no Maori school where the singing is not well taught have we heard good sing--state the inspectors of native schools in their annual report to the Minister.

A peculiarly sad feature of the death of Sydney Charlton at the Recreation Ground on Saturday (says- the Napier Telegraph) was that he had promised his parents never to play football again. He was his father's right-hand man, and had resolved, in accordance with Ma parents' wishes, ito concentrate his attention on diairy, and give up the game. It was loyalty to the team, owing to their high position in the competition,- that brought him out on Saturday. The usual weekly session of the Egmont Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held in St. Mary's Hall last nteht. The C.T., Bro. C. Pepperill, provided over a good attendance. The programme for the evening v-.s "mutual improvement night" each member givirfg an item, as follows:—recitation, Bro. C. Pepperill; harp solo, Bro. H. Rieketts; recitation, Bro. A. White; recitation, Sis. L. White; reading, Bro. G. Haydon; comic recitation, Bro. James; recitation, Sis. B. Connett; recitation, Sis. A. Reid; recitation, Sis. M. Bocock; and a paper entitled "What I learned at the 'mutual' meetings," by Bro. G. W. Hartnell. The remainder of the evening was spent in impromptu speeches. A hearty vote of thanks to Bro. J. 0. Legg for the able manner in which he presided was carried by acclamation. For influenza take Woods' Great lap- ; fmint Curt. "Never fails. Is 6d, 2s (T

The West End Scouts have been qualifying for second-class badges during the week, and have done very well. ( r - James Tarry, Inglewood, writes: ''l see in this morning's issue a report of the musical examinations. In the intermediate grade you have made a slight error in my daughter's name. Her name is Willial Tarry, not Williai." Mr. Jvcwton King received a telegram last night saying that all the HoMrhFriesian cuttle recently imported* from America passed all the Government tests and were released frpm quarantine and landed in Wellington safely yesterday, and will arrive here on Friday next. The (irebell sounded an alarm at 11.in a.m. yesterday morning, but the services of the brigade were not required. The cause of the outbreak was the igniting of a pot. of varnish on a stove, in the Dominion billiard saloon. A couple of buckets of water quenched the blaze, which damaged a few feet of wall paper. A couple of .hundred enthusiasts remained in the Theatrre for some hours after midnight, keeping Mr. Stirton company in his piano playing feat. He goodnaturedly played for sonajs, choruses and dancing. There promises to be a big crowd at the Theatre to-night, when the test ceases. A box plan is being opened for the convenience of intending patrons. In his much-discussed new book, John Foster Frnser says: "Mark how pleasant, soft-voiced, and delightful the Queonslanders are! Come South and you will find more conftnercia'lism in the air of Sydney than in Brisbane. Drop further south still, to Melbourne, and there, there is really something like energy. Continue south till you ",et to Now Zealand, and there you can pass from the charming easy manners of the top of the North Island until you *et amongst the rugged, determined business l"knd "° St the b ° ttoin ° f the South