People pose as ceramic dolls

His Majesty’s Theatre has seldom been so completely filled as it was last evening when a miscellaneous programme of a most entertaining character was presented by a large number of ladies and gentlemen organised by Mrs Richard Hudson with the special object of raising funds for the Women’s Rest Room and the Women’s Section of the Exhibition. A number of most artistic tableaux were presented. These had been arranged under the direction of Mrs W. Alexander Moore, who had displayed great taste in grouping the ladies posing in a variety of capacities. The costumes worn by the ladies were, in the great majority of instances, exceedingly rich looking, and there was in every case a beautiful harmonious blending of colour. Some of the tableaux were representative of the peasantry of foreign countries, and in such cases the costumes worn were naturally of a humbler character, but the tableaux were quite as picturesque in their effect.

Corks will be popping

Authority has been granted to the superintendent of reserves to procure one hundredweight of acorns of the cork oak (Quercus Auber). The intention was to plant the seeds at Waipori on some of the dry places near the water catchment areas, where it is believed the trees would do well.

Postal items pilfered

A brief sitting of the Juvenile Court was held at Balclutha yesterday morning, when a boy aged 14 years was charged that, being a postal employee, he stole packages containing two ladies’ rings — a wedding ring and a gold dress ring. The thefts were stated to have taken place on May 27. Detective Sneddon said that the lad had been employed at the Balclutha Post Office from December, 1924, till the end of June of this year, and during May and June nine packets had gone missing. He had interviewed the accused on June 30, and the lad had frankly admitted that he had taken six packets, including the rings, one with half a dozen torch batteries, others containing two dozen invitations to a wedding, handkerchiefs, and other things. The wedding ring, a watch (valued at 30 shillings), the batteries, and the invitations had not been recovered, most of them having been thrown in the river. The unrecovered property was valued at £5 7s 6d. Mr R.R. Grigor, for the accused, said that the boy’s action seemed stupid and foolish from the beginning. He would, if admitted to probation, be well looked after. He came from a good home and parents, and his behaviour was inexplicable. Mr Lock, the juvenile probation officer, said that the boy had borne a good character. His parents had taken every step possible to find the owner of the property. The lad seemed unable to explain why he should steal, as there was no need for him to do so. To the Magistrate (Mr H.J. Dixon SM), Accused said that he did not want any money to spend, but he just wanted to see what was in the parcels. His Worship pointed out to the boy that he had made a very bad start in life. These offences, he said, were regarded as serious, and he was liable to 14 years’ imprisonment. However, he would be given a chance to keep out of prison or an industrial school, but this was only because he was a boy. He would be convicted and admitted to probation for three years, and would be required to come up for sentence when called upon. The parents would be required to make any necessary restitution. — ODT, 30.7.1925

Compiled by Peter Dowden