LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 83, 21 November 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The latest Parisian invention is the automatic doctor. T'nc mechauism represents a man, and in the region oF arh organ is a slot designed to re-

ceive a 15 centimes piece. The patient suffering, say. from heart trouble, goes to the machine and drops his coin into tho slot connected with the organ in trouble, and without delay a prescription is delivered.

Air. Newton King has recicvod the following cable from bis Sydney Vgents re Hides Heavies farthing, lights eigth higher. Air Geo. A. Marohant issues to the people of Stratford County, whom ho ms so long served as County Chairman, a last “official good-bye.” The Dutch have a delightfully original way of collecting their taxes. If, after due notice has boon given, the money is not sent, the authorities place one or two hungry militiamen in the .bouse, to he lodged and maintained at the expense of the defaulter until the amount of the tax is paid.

'I he official estimates of the strength of the French Army as it was composed last year, show that there were under arms 581,491 men, who could bo joined at once by 800,000 from thofirst Reserve. On, mobilisation another 1.100,000 would bo brought up, and the last line of 1,700,000 makes a grand total of 4,500,000. 'I he Manawatn district can boast of

some suppliers of milk on a pretty largo scale. One or two farmers are taking over a ton a day to the llangiotn creamery and the cheese factory, while there are several suppliers of from one-half to three-quarters of a ton. Even with these figures, the flush of the season has not yet been reached.

An extraordinary story was told at Bootle (Eng.), on Monday, October I when an inquest was held on the body of a two-year-old boy, the son of a general dealer named James 800 Malone. The child was put to bed in a cot, but apparently climbed out, mounted a chair, and secured a box pi matches from the dressing table, llieri, imitating the performance of lighting the fire he went to the kitchen :ied struck several matches. Camphorated oil, which was on his singlet, because of a cold caught the flames, and the boy was burnt to death. A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.

Diliering from the various kinds of instruments which are used to aid persons of defective hearing, a hew long distance hearing anoaru'tus has recently been invented to assist the hearing of normal persons in much the same way that a telescope does the eye, that is, it enables one to distinguish sounds through a greater distance, besides amplifying those which would ordinarily be detected by unaided ears. For this reason says the “Popular Mechanics’ Magazine,” it iias been facetiously called the “ear telescope.”

ft is possible that the peculiar taste of a cold storage egg, which is something not easy to mistake, may be removed if experiments now being made by an electrical company are successful. It is claimed ‘that when fresh eggs are placed by electrocuting the eggs, the natural they are slowly frozen to death, and that in spite of the preservation qualities fof the ice the eggs do not taste good when cooked. It is now believed that by electrocuting the eggs the natural fresh taste may be retained and not removed when tiie eggs are placed in cold storage. The eggs are “killed” by placing a metal cap on each end of the egg and then passing through them a current of 500 volts.

A civil case at the To Kuiti Court recently ended in the Bench (Mr. F. Loughnan, S.M., and Mr. C. B. Cornish, J.P.), directing the police to take criminal action against defendant. The case was one of £ll 5s for -balance of wages by William Jones, painter, against John Carr, builder. Defendant produced a document signed by Jones acknowledging icceipt on the ilth August of wages “in full.” Jones stated that when he signed the receipt the words “in Lill” were not on it, and the Bench stated the opinion that the words had afterwards been written in by Carr. His Wms'up directed that the document be impounded and that the police lay a charge of forgery against Carr. On the claim the Bench found for plaintiff for £S ss.

Jack Johnson, the negro pugilist, inis told a Press interviewer in London that he lias fought ins last fight. “I shall never don the gloves again as a professional boxer,” he said, ‘‘l am giving a number of music hall performances and then 1 am going to America. 1 am retiring while still holding the heavy-weight championship of the world. My wife has persuaded me, for she has never liked tnis boxing business. One way and another L have made £60,000 from boxing during the last five years. 1 received £15,0u0 as my share of the proceeds of 1113' fight with Jeffries, and I have £20,000 in hard cash now, besides m3' motor cars jewelleiy and other property. 1 shall settle down in some business probably cue motor car business for 1 am very interested in mechanism.” Alderman Sir Thomas Boor Crosby, M. If., was tne other day chosen as Ino next .Lord Mayor of London. The election took place in tne Guildhall, and was conducted with ancient and picturesque ceremonial. Sir Thomas Jrosby is the oldest Alderman ever appointed to the Lord Mayoralty. He is eighty-one years of age. But he is tne 3'oungcst man of his 3 7 ears in tiie City of London stys an Lnglish paper and as vigorous a Lord Mayor as the needs of a progressive age require. T he name of Crosby is a notable one in the annals of the cit3'. It was Sir John Crosly elected Stierifl of Loudon in lift and kniglitod in the same year, who built the recently demolished Crosby Hall of many memories. He died in 1475 —“so short a time” says Stow, “enjoyed lie that his large and sumptuous building,”—and was buried 111 St. Helen’s. After passing into the possession of .Richard Hi., Crosby 'lull was purchased by Sir' Bartholomew Head, who kept his Ma301.1l Court there iu 1501. Its next owuei, also, was a Lord .IByor Sii John Bert, elected in 1516.

That popular corner of Dunedin, (he Triangle, was turned into a temporary stadium yesterday, says last I’nnrsdav’s “Star,” when two giants, who looked like sailors, engaged in a wrestling bout lor their mutual satisfaction and possibly the usual “trille.” It appears that there had been some argument as to which knew more of tho finer points of the noble art of jiu-jitsu. Unable to bring tho theory bout to a satisfactory conclusion, they adjourned to the Triangle, ami, divesting themselves of superfluous clothing, set to on the practical part of the business. The referee, a small, good-natured man, tried to please both sides, and in the end was unable to pick tho winner, whereupon one of the contestants demanded the lucre which he claimed ho had fairly won. Receiving no response, he adopted the summary method of seizing his fellow-gladiator’s clothes in payment. The despoiled Roman immediately hoarded an express, and demanded to lie driven to the nearest online station The magic word “police” brought matters to a head at once. Plenipotentiaries immediately got busy, and pourparlers were exchanged with all the stiffness and decorum proper to such a proceeding. Eventually the divested giant got Ids garments hack, and the affair concluded with mutual challenges to make the next meeting a prize-fight.

The School Committee meets this evening. ,

The monthly meeting of the. Chamber of Commerce takes place tins evening- , , The new reduced telephone rates lor suburban and country districts will come into force on Januai.y Ist.

David Chartoris, land agent, of New Plymouth, has-filed a declaration of insolvency.

Latest advices state that Mr J. R. Mackay is making very good improvement after his recent operation. Mr. J. D. Healy’s two Jersey prizewinners at Hawera will be competing at the New Plymouth Show. The settlers of Pembroke Road are at present agitating for the creation of a post office at their creamery. The Stratford Wesleyan Church Choir has definitely decided to give a sacred concert in the Church, on Friday, December 15th. . A special programme is being prepared. Entries ,for the Stratford A. and P. Association’s Show are coming in splendidly. It is quite apparent that, despite bad weather, last year s big total will be eclipsed. „

Farmers in the Rongotea district this season are going in largely tor maize, which is being sown in preparation for a dry summei . The crops, so far however, have been seriously retarded by the rough weather. It is expected, that Stratford will be'represented by two or three rinks at this year’s tournament under the auspices of the Northern 13ou ling Association. There will be no single links this year.

The new buildings and alterations erected in Stratford so far this; year have a total value of fully £IO,WU. The most expensive single contract was one for £llOO.

It is understood that a gold medal is to be presented to the boy Jack Dodd by Mr. and Mrs. J. Edwards, Dodd having, "it will be remembered, behaved with much pluck in connection with the drowning of their young daughter.

A large pair of horns of the Afrikander cattle will be on exhibition at the Show. They are the property of Mr. Harry Saunders, who recently returned from one of his many trips .to South Africa.

A letter was read at the_ meeting of the Borough Council last night from Mr G. N. Curtis, complaining of a section in Miranda Street • eing rnu.e a dumping ground for ruble-ffi. J jie matter .was left in the hands ot the Works Committee.

The Taranaki A. and P. Society’s annual Spring Show opens to-morrow, Wednesday, November 22nd. \\ e sincerely hope the weather will be fine and that our northern friends may have a big and successful gathering. Stratford is certain to attend in force. In consequence of damage done in the reading room at the Municipal Chambers, on Sunday last, which was reported to the Borough Council last night, the Council decided to refer to the Library Committee the question as to whether or not the library'should be. kept open on Sunday.

The Eltham Dairy Company manufactured in October 221,0881 b of butter and will pay out Hid lb. of butterfat. The total payment will amount to £9020. Compared with the corresponding month of last year, there is a shrinkage of 32,4301 b in the amount of butter manufactured, while the amount paid out is £235 more.

Such has been the demand for schedules of the Stratford Show, that the whole of the schedules which the Association had printed (1000) have been distributed, and the demand is still strong. Anyone having schedules and not requiring them for further use would greatly oblige by sending them to the secretary, Air. E. Jackson, as early as possible.

All the .arrangements for the forthcoming Stratford Show are now well in hand. The grounds are in splendid order, and several men are employed putting on the finishing touches. A very convenient platform is being placed in front of the members’ stand, which will provide extra seating accommodation. The grass on the oval will bo cut in a day or two, and when this is done it will be in fine order.

Cr. McAllister told the Borough Council last night that it would be necessary for the Hospital Board to call on the Council for a further contribution to the cost of the new isolation ward. In answer to a question he said that if the Council did not give the money freely this year it wotdd be compelled to do so next year through the rate, so that present refusal would merely hold the work up. In the circumstances Councillors agreed that the money should be paid. No motion was passed on the matter..

A special general meeting of the Stratford Operatic Society was held at the Parish Hall last night. Mr N. F. Dunlop was voted to the chair. The chairman outlined the objects of the meeting—the production of “Trial by Jury”' in aid of the school funds. After some discussion it was decided that if the concert could take place on December 14th, the Society would stage the piece on that date, the matter to be referred to the School Committee. In the event of this date being satisfactory, it was agreed to hold rehearsals on November 27th and December 4th, 11th, and 13th, the place of rehearsal to be announced in the “Stratford Evening Post.”

Members of the Stratford A. avid P. Association have privileges granted them that are well worth the amount of the subscription paid—viz.. £1 Is. A member’s ticket carries with it entrance to the Show Grounds, members’ stand, and_ reduction, in entry fees for any exhibits entered for the show: also with the member’s ticket two ladies’ tickets are given, and should only one lady of a family attend the show the other lady’s ticket will take in two children. At a meeting of the executive held last night it was decided to further extend these privileges and allow members free entry into the horse paddock on the' Show Grounds. This is the way to add to the institution’s popularity. A most enjoyable evening was spent at the Foresters’ Hall last night, when the Oddfellows’ Lodge held their usual euchre party, a large number being present. The prizes, which were a handsome lot, were presented to the lodge by Sisters Moroney and Bro. Sam Thompson, and consisted of a case of afternoon tea-spoons, a case of military brushes, and an aluminium handkerchief box, which were eagerly competed for. Mr. Miscall won the gents’, prize, but a tie resulted between Miss Little, Mrs. Robinson, Sister Lawson, and Miss Yolski, for the ladies’ prize, with the result that a final game had to be played between Miss Little and Sister Lawson, the former annexing the first prize and Sister Lawson the second prize, which was again handed back as a prize for a future date. The booby prizes were won by Miss Watson and Mr. Bert Burgess. An excellent supper was provided by Mrs. Brooking. . ■

The Lowgarth Dairy Factory will pay out ,C 191)0 for October supplies of imttcr-fat, being at the rate of Is ltd per lb. To-day was the most wet, windy and violent of the many wot and wicked days this part of the Dominion has been treated to this spring. Mr and Mrs R. Masters and Miami Mrs J. W. Boon leave immediately after Christmas on a six weeks’ holiday visit to Sydney.

A troop of Boy Scouts is being formed in Waitara. The meeting to put matters into shape is to be hold shortly. Already tnirty-live boys have been enrolled.

The Government offices throughout New Zealand will he closed on T'nursday, November 30th, St. Andrew’s Day, and People’s Day at Stratford Show.

The “Waitara Mail” is informed that the roads in some parts of the Taumarunui electorate are now worse than they were during the winter. Therefore, our old friend, Mr. W. T. Jennings is having a bad time. A poultry farmer at Taradalo (Hawke’s Bay) caught a stoat, with six well-grown young ones, on his property the other day. The farmer states that lie has lost 200 head of poultry through tiie depredations of these vermin.

A correspondent writes that Mr. W. T. Jennings, during in's election tour, came across a considerable number of old Taranaki settlers witli farms in South Auckland, and where he met them he was accorded a most enthusiastic reception. The Pharmaceutical Society of Grbat Britain lias (states a cable message in the Sydney “Sun”) adopted new bylaws permitting colonial chemists to register without examination, and to supply drugs under the Government’s proposed scheme of national insurance.

Stoker Penny, of H.M.S. Powerful, \vho is anxious to meet Louis llobertson again on the mat in a catch-as-catch-can match has arrived in Auckland, and expects, to reach Stratford on Saturday next. Particulars of the contest will be duly announced. An elderly man named Ken McDonald, a bushman, was charged at che Magistrate’s Court at Whangarci on Friday afternoon with being drunk in Cameron Street on the previous night, and was remanded for eight days. Sergeant Moore stated that McDonald, when arrested, walked to tiie station, was searched and lodged in the cells and visited several times during the night. In the morning lie complained of pain, and on arrival of a doctor one of McDonald’s logs was found to lie broken. He was removed to the Whangarei hospital. It is a mystery how the leg was broken.

All the members were present at the meeting of the executive committee of the A. and P. Association held l ist night. The offer of the auctioneers in connection with commission to lie charged at the sale of show stock was accepted. Mr Bayly was granted an extension of his lease until the annual meeting. It was decided to take out a risk with the London and Norwich Assurance Co. for the two days of the show. Messrs McMillan and Fredric were granted permission to tap the water-pipes at the showground for the purpose of giving a demonstration on milk-cooling. „ Mr Handley’s offer regarding carting at show time was accepted.

King A T ictpr Emmanuel of Italy excels at most sports, including shooting, fishing, yachting and motoring. The following story shows how he is a devoted husband as well as a good athlete. He was cruising off Monte Christo Island in his yacht one day when news reached him that the Queen was ill. The yacht at once steered towards the port of Laurento, where a motor car was in waiting, but the great roughness of the sea prevented a landing. Without an instant’s hesitation, the King plunged into the sea, and after much difficulty managed to reach the shore, his entourage watching him in an agony of anxiety from the yacht. He arrived at the Palace much exhausted, but was just in time to receive the news of the birth of a little daughter.

Aiadam Sarah Bernhardt has her own way of conferring favours on people. Having occasion to purchase some books the last time she was in London, she spent nearly a whole morning in one of the largest bookshops, where the assistant, recognising his customer, was untiring in his endeavour to suit the great actress’s ■fancy. Shelf after shelf was ransacked, and, pleased with his attention, Mme. Bernhardt drew from the assistant the confession that he wished for nothing better than to see her act, but that leavin- work too late to get in the cheap seats, he was unable to gratify his desire. Quickly taking a book which lay on the counter the actress wrote something on a page, tore it out, and handed it to the astonished man with a smile. Astonishment gave way to amazement when the latter found it was a pass for two for that night’s performance, written on a middle page of a valuable sot of Scott’s works.

A bottle partly filled with fresh water and tightly corked can be lowered into ocean depths, and on being raised to the surface it will be discovered on opening it that the fresh water has been replaced by salt. This really extraordinary phenomenon is explained by the New York “Tribune” in the following way: The pressure of the water increases as the distance from the surface downward. Thus at the distance of a foot beneath the surface the pressure of the water a square inch will be about half a pound; at jy distance of say 200 feet it will be 1251 h to the square inch. At ocean level the pressure of tiie atmosphere is ,a little over 1-llbs. Thus if a bottle containing air were lowered some thirty feet below the surface the pressure of water would more than counterbalance the pressure of the air. Ordinarily at this depth, therefore, the pressure of water should ho sufficient to drive the cork within the bottle; but the cork is tightly wedged in, position. To squeeze 'it within the bottle, it, too, must first he conipressed, and also there is friction to be overcome. The distance varying, then, according to these conditions, at some point beneath the surface the weight of water will force the cork int<r the bottle, compressing the air before it. The salt water of the ocean mingles with the fresh water within the bottle. As the bottle again approaches the surface, the air that remains within is subjected to loss and less pressure, till finally, now, having itself a pressure greater than that of water, it drives the cork back into position. -