The barque France, which grounded on a reef 60 miles north of Noumea, New Caledonia, is pictured under tow at Wellington during an earlier visit. — Otago Witness, 25.7.1922
The Canadian Transporter was proceeding to her aid, and should arrive at noon on Thursday. Other ships have the position. Australian stations are dealing with the matter, and the Canadian Transporter, 220 miles southwest of the France, is going to her assistance. The position given is westward of the Cook Islands.The France is a five-masted steel barque of 5633 tons, built in France, and owned by the Compagnie Francaise de Marine et de Commerce.
Community singing fad sustained
Judging by the audience that assembled at the Octagon Hall at midday yesterday, the community singing is losing very little if any of its popularity. Certain it is that those in whose interests it was inaugurated are availing themselves of the opportunity offered, and it was pleasing to note that the proportion of males to females showed an appreciable increase as compared with the attendances at the previous gatherings. The hall was fairly filled when Mr Percy Braithwaite took his stand upon the conductor’s platform, and the audience was considerably added to as the singing progressed. Mr R. Caulton acted as accompanist and materially assisted the conductor and the vocalists. There were a few alterations in the sheet of songs, two or three which had achieved popularity having been omitted, while other well-known songs have been added. Included amongst the latter is the dominion anthem “God Defend New Zealand,” which was sung with considerable spirit. “Swanee, How I Love You,” "Till We Meet Again,” “Juanita,” and “Funiculi, Funicula” are others, and these were sung successfully. “There’s a Piper Playing in the Morning,” one of Harry Lauder’s songs, was also included yesterday, and is likely to prove one of the favourites. The sing-song was a decided success. The surplus of the contributions will go to the funds of the St Vincent de Paul Orphanage.
Footballers break the Sabbath
The question of Sunday football came up at last night’s meeting of the St Kilda Borough Council. The Mayor (Mr J.W. Dove) set the ball rolling by drawing attention to a report that a game had been played on Alexandra Park on Sunday last. He continued to say that quite a number of people had approached him to see if the practice could not be put down. One of those who had approached him that day was a man who did not claim to be a “wowser”, but who was strongly opposed to the desecration of the Sabbath as had occurred on the past three or four Sundays, particularly the last. Unfortunately the council had no control over the players, but he was happy to say that a movement was on foot among influential men in town to have the law amended. He added that he would do all possible to oppose, and, if possible, stop football on the park next Sunday. Last Sunday 25 young men were playing. Cr Seddon said that, while not approving, he must say that the council had absolutely no jurisdiction in the matter. A different note was struck by Cr Longworth, who remarked, if they were going to stop football, they should, to be consistent, stop golf and tramcars. The great trouble was that the boys were exposed to the view of the public. The discussion then lapsed.
— ODT, 13.7.1922
