LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 148, 15 August 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Some justices arc beginning to pass heavy sentences for me use of on-

scene language. In Napier an accused got two months’ hard labour for that offence. A lady \\ ho arrived in Palmerston from New Plymouth by train recently told a “Standard” reporter that during the clear weather she had splendid views of Ngaurulioo and Iviount Egmont, also of tiic more distant Tara rua and .ituahino ranges'. “It is a delightful train journey,” she added enthusiastically, “from New Plymouth to Wanganui. Such a varied panorama of beautiful country, mountain scenery, and ocean shimmering in the sunlight.” A resident of Richmond (Christchurch), when cutting a log of beechwood was surprised to find two wetas in it. One or the insects was struck with the axe and killed, but the other was preserved alive, and was added fa the collection in Canterbury ,Mu t . sen mi it is about two inches long, with hi yellowish body, a bright brownish head, and long antennae. There are about twelve different species of wetas in New Zealand. Several of them are also found in other countries. The species found in Richmond (Hemideina femorata) is believed to he nocturnal, and to live mostly in forests, where it may sometimes be seen climbing trees, boring into the trunks, or hiding under logs. r i iio species is somewnat rare. A workman named Gwyllim Evans, 26 years of age, had a desperate struggle for life at the Stanford Colliery, near Kurri Kuril (N.S.W.), last week. Ho was passing the electrical winding gear ,when his coat caught in the belting. Evans was instantly dragged towards the powerful revolving machinery, but Jio exerted .ill his strength to prevent himself from being mangled, and the coat gave way. His other clothing and ais right hand, however, got caught, and in struggling desperately to lice himself his vest, shirt, and trousers were ripped off, and all the lingers of ais right hapd wore dreadfully mutilated. lie got free, however, but ho had nothing on but his boots when found by his workmate. The future of the Grown of Germany must depend upon its intimate association with the Prussian governing class. It is not to be gainsaid that this class is stiff, narrow-mind-ed and prejudiced. An accomplished man of the world may perhaps be forgiven for avoiding its members individually and resenting their political influence, but a capable statesman will soon bo convinced that on their

support ultimately dc-pands the maintenance or the existing system. Any attempt to govern through the support of any other class while neglectrug the views of the Prussian aristocracy is hound to fail, says “Saturday Review.’ The innocent-sounding plea so often heard in Court, after the imposition of a fine, “Will you give me time to pay, your Worship?’’ is often a source of great trouble to the police, says tho Auckland “Star.” i'oung single men, particularly, are in the habit of bidding a hasty good-bye to the Court when once they are given “time to pay.” They take time, indeed, and construe it to mean eternity, for they get away effectually in .'-.mao first;;net's. Not r.o one young man, however, who was given time to pav a fine of to into the Dargavillr 'Court. Some months ago he took the time given him by the forelock, and got away quickly and successfully for nine months. This week, however, ho was found at Manaia, Taranaki, by the long arm of the law, and lie had to pay up tho .Co and a 10s fine also for being on licensed promises after hours. The warm and expressive gratitude of a son of sunny Halv was witnessed the oilier dav outside the Otago Heads. The Italian barque was clear of tho land when her skipper approached to say good-bye to the burly pilot, ore the latter boarded the tag to return to the shore. The pilot, was • omew hat taken aback at the gush of appreciative phrases dc scriptive of 1•i •' captain’s indebtedness for the safe navigation of Isis vessel through tortuous water ways. The climax was sn.i pi ising to Hie extent of emh.orrasstm nr. Tho captain finished his expressive thankfulness by throwing his arms round the »'il->t, am! i” w'mt was no doubt intended as a tender cmbr.ice the captain’s lips impressed a ' on either of the pilot’s checks. Not the least interesting feature ol the incident, it is said, was the expression on the face of tho old sea canlain who was taking the vessel up tin' coast as coastal pilot. His lace reflected keen emotions .but his lips ulcered never a w orth

The monthly meeting of the Chamber cf Commerce will be held tiiis < i cuing. The Borough Council decided last nig at that al! rates, unpaid at September 30th be sued for without fur--1 icr notice. After considerable discussion at tbo Borough Council last night it was decided co re-erect the fireball tower on tho present site, and to instruct the Town Clerk to get estimates for a n y.v bell. Tho following advertisement appeared recently in the •‘Sydney Morning ITTrald” Wanted, good gor.cwai. 3 in family, washing done out, knowledge of paper-bag cookery preferred, wages no object, every nig. it out, tram and boat fares paid ; eh a wingrooin with use of piano when required; also sowing machine; excellent house for a suitable girl. Apply, Desperate, “Herald. 1 A very grave scandal comes to hand in connection with Customs procedure in Argentina, it appears that goods have been taken away illicitly from Ci:stems stores, tho cases emptied of tr.cir dutiable contents, refilled with rubbish, and then returned to the store to figure os assets at full value. ! hroo huge warehouses have been burnt down within a low months of each other, and the Government can now no longer remain passive. Tho investigations which are now proceeding are expected to have some startling developments. A charge of professional misconduct against a solicitor practising at tuo Bar in Auckland is at present engaging the attention of the Council of the Auckland Law Society, and it is understood that the matter will be advanced sufficiently to enable an application being brought before Mr. Justice Edwards during the forthcoming sessions of the Supreme Court. The allegation is one of obtaining money from the client of another solicitor by means of false representations, and was tho basis of a claim that was lodged but discontinued in the Magistrate’s Court recently. The Law Society’s action will bo contested. Some old wool books from a New South Wales sheep station, which have been in the possession of one family for 85 years, furnish some interesting particulars of the prices of wool in the ’sixties and ’seventies. In 1867, fleece wool described as second quality brought 2s 9d per lb in London. That was the time when the ruling rate of “further advances” was never less than 12.} per cent. In 1868 first quality clothing, free from seed, brought 3s" Id, and first combing 2s (iftl. This seems rather reversing the main general order and range of values. In 1872, third clothing brought 2s 6d, third combing 2s 6}d, and second clothing 2s 7d. In 1875, belly wool brought Is sd, wethers 2s Id to 2s l}d, and pieces Is 6}d.

The latest mails from Noumea contain an account of an extraordinary case, in which a woman successfully petitioned for a divorce from her husband because he insisted upon her becoming a queen. The Court of Angelos, according to “La France' Australe,” has just granted a decree to Madame Nellie Clarke, who refused to follow her husband to the Pitcairn Islands, of which he claims to )G the. king. Two years ago Mr. Clarke was shipwrecked on the Pitcairn Islands. Later on ho purchased them, and was elected king by thin - inhabitants.. His subjects, who numbered 125, soon wanted at queen, however, and, like a dutiful husband, jvij v. (iCJapke -asked- bis wife to share his throne. She strongly resented the idea of being transformed into a queen, however, and asked the law to Free her from her royal husband. The Court was sympathetic, granted her wish, and at the same time censured King Clarke for neglecting his home.

An extraordinary incident occurred as the Olympic was passing through the lower bay on her first voyage from New York to England. Mr. Thomas Sopwith, the English aviator, hovered ov-h - tno steamer in his aeroplane and dropped aboard a pair of spectacles carefully wrapped and addressed to Mr. W. A. Burpee, a prominent Philadelphia merchant. Mr. Burpee had broken his spectacles shortly before sailing, and sent them to Wanamak-

or s store for repairs. Just before the Olympic sailed Mr. Burpee sent a wireless message to Wanamaker’s, which has a wireless installation on tho roof, requesting that the spectacles ben sort to him in London. Taking advantage of Mr. Sopwith’s ascent, Wanamaker’s sent a wireless message to Mr. Burpee that tho spectacles would be delivered by aeroplane. Mr. Sopwith was then engaged to make the delivery, which was sifely accomplished. The following letter from Mr. T. Marshall, provisional secretary of the Stratford Town Band, to tho Borough Council, was last night referred to tho Band Committee:—At a meeting of the newly-elected band committee bold on August 10th the following resolutions were carried, to be brought before your Council for its earnest consideration: That' the Council be asked to give full power to its Band Committee re the appointment of conductor ; that it be recommended to tho Council that Mr. Henderson be appointed conductor of the banci at a salary of £SO per annum, payable quarterly, the appointment to be held over until further notice from the Band Committee; that tho conductor’s duties be defined and submitted to tho Council’s Band Committee; that the Council be asked to increase the yearly subsidy by £lO, making the total £25; that the Council be asked to call in all instruments for inspection, and to enable the band to have the necessary repairs carried out at once. i

At the meeting of the Borough Council last night tho following motions were passed; “That this Council place on record its high sense of the services rendered to , this Dominion by the late Mr. T. E. Taylor, as mem her for Christchurch North and Mayor ol Christchurch, .and respectfully tender to his widow and family the assurance of its sympathy with them in tiicir sad bereavement, and L.’U’t this resolution be forwarded to airs. 'Taylor; that this Council place on record its heartfelt sorrow at the death of Mr. G. Tisch, and desires at they same time to tender to tho people )i New Plymouth its deep sympathy with thorn in the loss of a Mayor who had done so much to forward* the interests of their town, and also to tender to Mrs. ’iisch its deep and sincere sympathy in her bereavement; chat this Council place on record its heartfelt sorrow at the death of Mrs. 2. i’. Bn lie, and desires at the same time tv tender to Mr. Ralfe and fam’ls deep and sincere sympathy with them in their bereavement.” The motions were moved by the Mayor and seconded by Cr. King. They were carried by the members of the Council standing, and the Council adjourned for ten minutes. When coughs and colds and chills abound, And lolks arc falling ill all round, Just try a cure that’s well renowned— Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. You’ll find it’s better than you thought ’! lie very nest yon over bought; Your coughs and colds will come to naught, I’m verv sure.

The School Committee will hold its usual meeting this evening.

To-morrow evening in the Foresters’ Hall, Stratford, Mr. F. E. Gordon, Poultry Expert, will lecture on “Poultry Culture.” It is to be hoped that poultrymen will take an interest <in the forthcoming address, and induce their friends to attend in force. v The Borough Council last night referred the question of putting in a stove at the Fire Brigade Station to the Fire Brigade Committee for a report to next meeting,, when the captain of the brigade will also attend and will report on fire-plugs and deflective chimneys. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Stratford Oddfellows’ Lodge took place in tho Foresters’ Hall last evening. A fraternal visit was paid by members of Loyal Kaponga Lodge. After lodge business had been transacted, a dance was held, at which there was a large assemblage. Dance music was supplied by Mrs. Bianchi, V assisted by'Mr. Cameron (violin), ex- ■ tras being played by Messrs. W. Ry--0 an and Marrett. An excellent supper was provided by Mrs. Brooking. Tho recent trouble with fire-plugs was-referred to at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council, when Cr. Ward moved that the Overseer select one of the Borough employees, who should be appointed turncock, and who should be responsible for all operations in turning water on and off, and should report regularly on the condition of fire-plugs and direction Eosts. Cr. Paget seconded pro forma, ut asked that the matter be held over until tho captain of the brigade mot the Council. Cr. Ward said the brigade had refused to do the -work on any terms. Cr. Paget said the brigade should refuse in public. It was finally decided to hold the matter over till next meeting. w During the past week the Electrical Supply Company’s staff have been clearing the silt out of the dam, additional labour being engaged to expedite the work. It appears that when the tunnels wore fitted again, as usual, yesterday afternoon, a block on the inside screen was not discovered until too lates and this prevented a proper supply or water reaching tho turbines and accounted for the low voltage and consequent indifferent light last night. The company’s workmen have removed about 20,000 cubic yards of silt, the accumulation of the last ten cr twelve years, which had gathered in the dam and has now been passed through the by-wash tunnel down stream. The work of i clearing the dam is expected to rie com-pmi-ed within a couple of days

The mail train to and from New " Plymouth lately has been misbehaving rather badly, and from some cause or another failing to run to time-table. This morning the engine appeared to bo suffering from some internal complaint necessitating frequent stoppages to rest, and ford was reached at nearer haP-past nine than half-past eight. Sarcastic passengers; after a half-hour’s sojourn at Tariki, offered bicycle pumps and pots of vaseline to mend matters, as tlio official explanation appeared to be that “the old girl wouldn’t steam,”, but quite unexpectedly the whistle gave a shrill hoot and the train started once more on its trek to Wellington. One young gentleman was expressing grave fears that ho would miss the Lyttelton steamer before Inglewood was reached, so that his state of, mind when he reaches Wellington ‘.may bo imagined. Some time ago a well-known English collector saw advertised in a

r catalogue of a sale to be held at Winchester a “Carved coffin of an Indian % chief.” He attended the sale, and found that the supposed coffin was a carved Maori box, something like those used for holding feathers ' and ornaments, but about six times as big as the largest wakahuia ever seen. He managed to buy it, and ascertained that it was carved in the highest style of Maori art, and that such boxes were made to be hung in the wahitapu, or sacred grave, and to contain the bones of some celebrated person. Polac, one of the early writers on New Zealand, mentions seeing one of these carved boxes in a sacred place at the Bay of Islands. Mr. Hamilton, Director of the Dominion Museum, was fortunate enough to get permission from the purchaser for a plaster cast taken of v»this great rarity. The cast has arr rived. and .is now being prepared for exhibition in the Museum. Nothing is known as to the history of the original specimen, but the character of tno carving indicates, in Mr. Hamilton’s opinion, that it came from the Bay of Islands.

Women seemed to have played a big part in tho recent Mexican revolution. In a description, of the flight of President Diaz, the “Nation” says:—“The whole palace was in con-’ fusion. Servants hurriedly packed, cramming the necessities and treasures of sovereignty into cases and portmanteaus. / In one room a newborn grandchild wailed; • in another the ancient centre of authority lay gasping. Outside the populace yelled. _ For two days and nights they had bonded and rioted. Women led them on—unreasonable women, whose fjlace was the home, ignorant of ligher politics, careless of financial interests, rushing in where the angels of speculation feared to tread, mindful only of the starvation wage, the bony child, the shameful life ‘on the stones,’ the imprisoned husband, the tortured brother, the family that disappeared, the plantation slavery, and other personal and potty grievances. Por two days and nights they howled like she wolves round . tho palace, instead of starving decently at home, as they had starved for years.” And, again, the- rising against him (Diaz) is said to have been led by the untamed dwellers in scattered pueblos and ranches of Chihuahua, a northern frontier State. Wild riders and ranchers, such as Mr. Cunningham Graham loves to describe, brought him to ruin—they and a few women, for we hear of a Margarita Ncri, “the Mexican Joan of Arc,” among his most dreaded foes.