LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The mails despatched on August 21 arrived in London on the 21st inst.

The concluding night of the Dandies' season again attracted a large audience, ! all the items being enthusiastically applauded. The popularity of this combination has been strikingly demonstrated, and a return visit will always be welcomed. The company appear at Patea to-night. A practice by the brigade from the Central Station, which took place in Devon Street early last evening, attracted a good deal of attention on the part of people who were about at the time. Some leads of hose were put on to the fire-plugs, showing the excellent pressure of water obtainable. The amount raised for overseas war relief funds during the financial year ending March 31 ' last was £278,298, milking £1,145,919 for the war period, to which is to be added the Government contribution to the Belgian funds of £228,145. Altogether, New Zealand contributed £s7(>.B(>r> towards the Belgian funds, £329,801 for the Red Cross funds, £175,070 for the New Zealand Comforts Fund, and £111.421 for the British Navy Relief Fund. These are exclusive of the Y.M.C.A., War Relief, and other local funds. A man named John Andrew Nicholson Magrath, aged (i!) years, was at 6 o'clock yesterday morning found dead in bed by one of his sons at Surrey Road, Oakura. The deceased man is said to have complained on Sunday and Monday that he was not feeling very well. When he retired he was asked if he required anything, and replied in the negative. Dr. D. Blackley was called in, and, upon making an examination, came to the conclusion that death was due to heart failure. With the consent of the coroner, a certificate of death has been issued.

A very successful social afternoon was hfld last week under the auspices of the St. Andrew's Ladies' Guild in aid of the funds of the Wellington Presbyterian Orphanage. Children of all denominations are admitted to this home, and the work is growing rapidly. Musical items were rendered by Mrs. McGregor and Misses Armstrong and Way. Afternoon tea was provided, and all those present spent a very enjoyable afternoon. A number of ladies offered to give an annual donation of 5s to the fund. With special donations and the loose collection, the total sum raised was over £l7. The guild desire to tender sincere thanks to all ladies who in any way assisted in making the effort the success it undoubtedly was. A. ; very interesting and instructive paper on the native birds of New Zealand was given at the meeting of the Whiteley Club last night by Miss Douglas, who had a number of specimens of birds on exhibition to illustrate her paper. There was a large attendance, and very appreciative comments were made at the conclusion, one of the speakers being Mr. W. H. Skinner, who was amongst a number of visitors present. Miss Douglas was accorded a verj hearty vote of thanks for her paper. The concluding meeting of the club's session takes place next Tuesday evening, the arrangements being in the hands of the gentlemen members.

In the Budget Sir James Allen states: "We can and ought to do something to perpetuate the memory of the men and women who gave their lives for the benefit of those of us who remain to share in the blessings to be enjoyed from what we hope may prove a lusting peace. For this purpose it is proposed to set aside this session not less than £IOO,OOO to erect a national memorial, designed and carried out by the best talent available, which will perpetuate for all time the memory of those who, with selfsacrificing devotion, gave their lives to save the Empire, and be a constant reminder that there is no nobler duty than to sacrifice self in the service of all." The staff of the New Plymouth Technical College are arranging a complimentary social to the new principal of the college (Mr. Moore), to which it is understood the heads of public bodies and other representative citizens will be invited. Tickets for the cafe • chalitant to be held on Thursday and Friday at the Good Templar Hall are on sale at Avery's, bookseller. ■••■■••• - A filial reminder is given in this issue of the sale of Devon Street property in the "Grange" estate, situated in the West End. This property offers several good building sites in a sunny position and near the tram section.

The New Plymouth Rifle Club's annual meeting will be held at the Soldiers' Club to-night, when the annual report and balance sheet will be presented and the election of officers for the ensuing year will take place.

Merit tells. The phenomenal sales of the North British Rubber Co.'s Hot Water Bottle with the "Unique" stopper, Lis the best evidence of its undoubted aSSlite 88.4 l»Ok% gg.