Local and General.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3997, 2 August 1915, Page 4

Local and General.

During the month of July rain fell at Gisborne on 16 days, the total being 3.35 inches. as against 0.93 inches during the same month last year. A substription has been opened by the Waikohu County Counel at Te Karaka to raise funds for the purchase of machine-guns tor the New Zealand forces. The vital statistics for last month were: Births 68, deaths I2. marriages 18. The figures for the corresponding month last year were 69, 11, and 9. The two Keystone players Roscoe Arbuckle and Mabel Normand caused roars of laughter at the Opera House on Saturday evening They are appearing in a star comedy, "Their Simple Life." This picture, which is supported by a splendid collection of pictures, will be screened again this evening. In response to a generally expressed desire, it has been arranged to give a second performance of the popular oratorio, "The Captives of Babylon," which met with much approval on its first presentation last week at St. Andrew’s Church. Lovers of good music should not miss this opportunity of hearing a deservedly popular and enjoyable work.

A double programme featuring the last section of "Troy of Hearts," and the opening series of another more sensational serial drama. "The Master Key," is being screened by The World’s Pictures to-day commencing at 1.30 p.m. This evening an orchestra of ton instrumentalists will provide the incidental music for the pictures, including works by the greatest composers.

Messrs H. Hill and Strachan inspectors for the Hawke’s Bay Education Board, are at present engaged in examining the country schools of the Poverty Bay district. This week Mr Hill will examine the Wharerata Muriwai, Te Arai, and Waingake schools, while Mr Strachan will inspect the Ormond, Waerenga-a-hika and Makaraka schools. When these have been got through the inspectors will turn their attention to the town schools.

The National Reserve Monday night instruction classes have increased to such an extent that Barlow's Garage, which has been of such valuable servise, has now become quite inadequate. The class to-night will be held in the Garrison Hall at 8.30 sharp, and as drill to he carried out at Wednesday’s parade will be dealt with, it is open to all members of the National Reserve, the O.C. particularly desiring a good muster.

The weekly meeting of the Gisborne Lodge of the Theosophical Society was held last evening in the U.S.S. Co.’s building, Childers Road, at 7 o’clock. The lecture given was entitled “The Citizenship of Colored Races within the Empire,” and dealt with the need for tolerance and brotherliness in the treatment of the native races within the Empire; particularly in India, where the native population, though of darker out ward appearance, are of the same Aryan stock as the Anglo-Indian official who so often looks down upon them.

The local Defence Office has been notified that instructions have been issued from headquarters, intimating that where soldiers are seriously ill at Trentham or any other camp, on presentation of the telegram from the camp authorities notifying serious illness of the soldier concerned railway stationmasters will issue to both parents where desired, or to one person who is next of kin, first or second class through return tickets to the nearest railway station in the vicinity of the camp. Such concession tickets will be according as to whether the soldier is entitled to first or second class fare, and stationmasters will retain the telegram, for that purpose. This concession refers to railway tickets only, and the Department accepts no liability to provide free steamer passages where such may be involved.

Dr Reid has boon appointed medical superintendent to the Cook County Women’s Guild, in succession to Dr Porter, who leaves for Scotland on Wednesday next. The members of the Guild will farewell Dr Porter at Findlay’s rooms this afternoon.

Tologa Bay is determined not to bebehindhand in showing its loyalty. On Wednesday the cititzens celebrate Declaration Day at the local school grounds. Speeches will be given by prominent citizens and school children will take part in the celebration.

An esteemed correspondent writes: Bankers, merchants and others need not expect their letters to arrive at due date via San Francisco the mail train failed to connect with the s.s. Marama at San Francisco Consequently, it may be towards the end of the present month they will arrive at this port, probably per s.s. Niagara via Vancouver.

A large crowd of people assembled at the Botanical Gardens yesterday afternoon, when the City Band rendered the following excellent programme. Sacred march, “Sabbath Echoes" ; waltz “Gipsy Life” ; sacred air, “Nearer my God to Thee’’; euphonium solo, “Aslee p in the Deep (soloist, W. Harris); overture, Austral” ; march. “Toreador”; God Save the King. The Band was under the capable direction of Mr. J. Davis, and rendered the different items with spirit and delicacy, while the sunshine and warmth of the afternoon added greatly to the enjoyment of the afternoon.

“The events In connection with the war have held so much of the people's attention that questions of local interest have been neglected," says the annual report of the Sports Protection League. Although in these circumstances it is not wise to allow the interests of sport to obtrude themselves to the detriment of the work of national defence and recruiting, the policy of continuing our usual pastimes has been followed with a good healthy influence on the people, and without impairing the work of the State. The board of control, willingly allowed the League’s organisation to be used for promoting the Poor of Great Britain and Ireland and Belgium Relief Fund. The response from the public was of a very generous character and the fund reached £100, - 000 before the Government inaugurated its present scheme for Belgian relief. His Excellency the Governor, the Earl of Liverpool, became patron of the fund, and the whole of the amount subscribed was sent through his hands to the Imperial Authorities at Horne. The General Secretary of the League is still acting as the executive officer for the Wellington Provincial Branch of the Dominion Belgian Relief Fund, working in association with the Government scheme."

A postcard was received by a "Times" representative yesterday from a brother pressman at the front, conveying the information that he was well. With the ready resource of the average pressman, the gallant soldier succeeded in getting past the censor the news that he was more then ordinarily well. The postcard was one of the stereotyped printed cards, containing lines which can be either left in or struck. out. The first line reads. "I am quite well," and this was left intact. The second line was also crossed out, showing that the military pressman had not yet troubled the hospital. The third line reads, "And am going on well," and it was here that the pressman got in his emphasis. The first two letters of the third line "An" were struck out leaving the "d" in. "am" was left in, but the next two words, "going on" were crossed out, while the "well” was left in. The soldier thus managed to inform his friend the he was what you might call remarkably well. The only other line left in the card was. "I have received your letter dated 1874." The humor of this line was contained in the fact that he had not had a letter for some time.