Do the dead talk? This film will be shown at the Grand Theatre Corn Exchange during the last three days of next week. It should prove a tremendous attraction since never before has such a story been seen on the screen, and it deals straightforwardly, neither for nor against this most discussed question of the day, with the possibility of communicating with the dead. It does not attempt to convert but to unfold in dramatic style, a story of mystic influences that affect human life patterns. It would be well advised to book seats early.

Thomas Dollarway was admitted to the Cottage Hospital in Abingdon on Monday evening, suffering from a compound fracture of the right leg. It appears that he was driving a horse and cart along Northcourt road. After tapping, the animal with the whip, he was jerked out of the cart, the wheel passing over his leg. First aid was rendered by PC Painter and PC Butler, after which the unfortunate man was conveyed to the Cottage Hospital.

North Berk’s League: Pavlova, 4 Ardington, 1. Pavlova fielded a strong team against the village last Saturday at Westfield, which included six players from the Temperance League team. Owing to the treacherous surface of the ground, the football shown was not of the best, with the players having great difficulty keeping their feet. Pavlova had the best of the opening exchanges, but the village defenders were in good form, and it’s only from a penalty awarded for ‘hands’, which appeared to be more accidental than intentional, that they were able to establish a lead in the first half. Johnson steered the ball into the net. In the second half, Pavlova added further goals through Hyde(2) and Green, which enabled them to win a very clean and pleasant game.

There was an excellent attendance at the weekly Whist tournament in aid of the local schools’ Parent & Friends Association (PFA) on Tuesday.

The Grand Gaiety Dance, in the Corn Exchange on Wednesday, attracted some 150 people, many of whom wore fancy dresses of a novel character. The hall had been tastefully and effectively decorated.

The Mayor has, at the request of a number of burgesses, convened a public meeting in the Roysse room for Friday evening to look at the question of reviving the Abingdon Regatta this summer. All interested, especially the members and committee of the old Skiff Regatta, are invited to attend.

Horace Field, Wilsham Road, Abingdon, was riding a motorcycle in the Abingdon Road towards Oxford, and collided with a heap of tar macadam lying on the side of the road near the Farrier’s Arms. The road is undergoing repairs and is partly closed to traffic and red lamps were placed on trestles at intervals, and it appears that he drove behind the trestles and thus ran into the tar macadam. He was thrown from the machine and, at the Radcliffe Infirmary, was found to be suffering from severe facial injuries.

The number of persons registered at the labour exchange as unemployed now totalled 94, 85 men, five women and four boys. The short time figures are as usual, 11 men, 104 women and five girls.

Abingdon School scholarships have been awarded as follows for classics. G F Powell, Greyfriars Preparatory School, Leamington. For mathematics, T G Austin, Radnor House School, The Common, Redhill.

There was an exceptionally large attendance at the Wesley Guild meeting in the Wesleyan schoolroom on Wednesday evening, when the Reverend Grainger Hargreaves from Oxford was the speaker. Mr Hargreaves dealt with his tour in New Zealand, which proved very interesting and popular.

The Salvation Army meeting during the weekend was conducted by Adjacent Gibbs, Northampton, and Cadet Holliday, the latter farewelling at the evening service, prior to returning to London for his final training before being commissioned as an officer. The self-denial altar service was held at night when the soldiers and friends brought their gifts and laid them upon an open Bible.

Mr T Leech of Bath Street organised another Meccano competition. Thirty-two models were entered. They showed a great advance in originality and skill on those of last year. The judges of Mr Gibson and Son had some little difficulty in making the awards, so close, indeed, was the contest. The prize winners were senior section first prize: Frank Dymond for a working model of a sewing machine. Second prize, John Hart for a model of a horse and cart. Junior section. First prize. I Luker for a model of a crane. Second prize, S Roberts for a giant digger.

An increase in the quantity of gas sold and a substantial reduction in the price of gas were the main features of the 60th annual ordinary general meeting of the Abingdon Gas Light and Coke Company, held in the company’s office, 75 The Vineyard under the presidency of Mr C. Alfred Price on Tuesday afternoon.

Expressions of regret were heard on all sides when the news of the death of Mr John Thornhill Morland became known on Saturday morning. The father of the council as he was affectionately termed by his colleagues, had assisted in the deliberations of that body for over 56 years, being first returned as a counsellor so far back as 1866. His elevation to the order of Alderman took place 17 years later. The whole of his life was devoted towards the well-being of his fellow burgesses, and it was a happy thought that prompted the presentation of the Freedom of the Borough upon him last June. He goes to his rest, honoured by all with whom he came into contact. The gathering at the funeral was the largest that had been seen in the town for a great many years. Outside Abingdon, he was known as the cox of the Cambridge crew in the boat races in 1859 and 1860. The Cambridge boat was swamped and sank in the first of these years, but the next year the Cantabs were victorious.

We regret to have to state that Councillor F Gibson is lying seriously ill at his residence in Bridge Street, suffering from internal trouble.

A list of day trips has been arranged for the Easter holidays by the Great Western Railway, with excursions being run to Portsmouth, Southsea and Bournemouth as well as London.

The members of the Abingdon Choral Society are giving a rendering of Stainers Crucifixion in the Congregational Church on Sunday at 8 pm. Mr H Sheldon Peach will conduct the singing, and a silver collection will be taken.

Mrs Godley, 10 Ock Street, has received an acknowledgement from the friends of the relief committee for two sacks of clothing, boots and a packet of soap together with 10 shillings in money which the ladies of the town kindly sent them.

Thank you for the extracts from the North Berks Herald.