LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 34, 5 February 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

William Sturt, a miner employed at Huntley, met with 'a serious accident on Thursday afternoon whilse blasting logs in a drain near his home, through a charge of gelignite going off before he was able to get clear. His right band was badly shattered, and both his eyes so seriously injured that it is feared he will lose the sight of one, if not ‘both. He was removed to Waikato Hospital, where four fingers have been amputated.

At 2.-10 on Friday afternoon Francis’ stables, in Hood Street, ’Hamilton, known as the “Waikato Stables,” was found to be well alight. The building is a big one, but after considerable difficulty the horses were turned loose, and all the vehicles saved. The rear portion, where, evidently, the fire started, was destroyed. The facade and a few side looseboxes were saved,! though damaged. A cab, three gigs, harness, feed, and sundry gear, was destroyed. The origin of the fire is unexplained. Insurances are not available. Frances is not covered, but ’t is believed the building is insured in an office at Ashburton. The stables are the property of Mr. T. McGregor, late of Rubuki, who lately received them in exchange for 41 farm by Milne, of Walton. During the progress of the fire a portion of the roof fell in where two firemen were working. Both were uninjured. A despatch from Niagara Falls reports, an interesting and pathetic incident, which took place immediately after the christening at the cataract of Princess Kaw-paw-qua (“Morning Beauty”) daughter of Mr. Louis Palmer, of Cleveland Ohio. The tiny girl is the grand-daughter of Chief Oghema Niagara (“Thunderwater”) an Indian of the Oscanbee tribe of Kansas and after the ceremony which took place in the Cave of the Winds, under the Horseshoe Fall, Thunderwater, who, in 1890 bad been christened at the

same spot, gathered the few remaining members of Ids tribe about him, and journeyed to Table Rock, on the Canadian side. There with Ids face to the setting sun, the chief spoke probably the last word that will ever be heard for the pagan faith of the Indians. Standing at the western sweep of the great fall he said:“The Christian says the pagan is a fool. 1 was raised pagan and I will die pagan. I have seen Catholics warring against Protestants, Protestants warring among themselves, and both warring against the Jew. Indians never warred among themselves about religion. My grand-daughter is christened because she lives in a Christian nation, and will have to obey Christian laws, but she will later be named a pagan, and when she is old enough to decide for herself, she will choose between Christ and Manitou.”

The monthly meeting of the Hospital Board will be held to-morrow morning.

Up to the present only three applications have been received at the local Court for widows’ pensions. These will probably be considered at Friday’s sitting of the Court.

Vv Idle Mr. T. Webb, of Bird Road, was eloquently discoursing at the Stratford A. and P. Association’s meeting on Saturday, Mr. T. Lyford, of East Road, interjected, “Don’t talk so much. I’ve got cows to milk this evening.” Mr. Webb rather smartly turned the tables on his interrupter by saying: “Why don’t you get a milking machine ?”

The twenty-second annual session of the New Zealand Conference of Seventh Day Adventists at Auckland was well attended. At the formal opening the president, Pastor J. Pallnnt, was supported by Pastor J. E. Fulton, president of the Australasian Union Conference. The president, in his address, emphasised the satisfactory character of reports of different departments. Aggressive work had been done in Wellington, Christchurch, and other places, and encouraging results had been seen. The usual standing committees were appointed. The balance-sheets of the conference, the Christchurch Sanitoriirm, Pukekura School, Tract Society, and Health Food Committee, were presented. At the afternoon and evening meetings plans and recommendations submitted by the standing committees were adopted. A Wellington Press Association telegram states that the Premier has received a communication from Mr. H. M. Gore, President of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, stating that Mr. John Baillie, an old New Zealander, is bringing out in the Tnrakina a magnificent collection of pictures, the work of British and Continental artists, for exhibition. The Academy will make purchases from tnose with money they have in hand, supplemented, they hope, by public and municipal contributions. Mr. Baillie selected the paintings, the whole collection being subjected to review and final approval by Mr. Clausen, R.A. The Premier has replied that when the time arrives the question of inspecting the works of art in the exhibition would receive the full consideration of the Government. He agreed that the exhibition would afford a good oppor- | tunity to make a selection of pictures for the proposed National Gallery.

The 90,000 black silk handkerchiefs which the Admiralty have just ordered from Macclesfield firms are not for pocket use as benighted longshoremen may imagine (says the London “Telegraph.”) They are part of the outfit of every seaman who is under the rank of chief petty officer, and they are as necessary’ to the service as duck trousers. It was one of the conditions of the tender that the handkerchiefs should be of British make throughout. Macclesfield silk manufacturers have previously had the execution of this order the value of which is nearly £II,OOO. The black handkerchief is one of the two items in the British bluejacket’s kit which were added as a memoyial of Nelson. The handkerchief is worn round the neck under the collar and is tied in front with, a black; • !. ribbon. It was. after the death of the ■ great admiral that it was adopted. '■ Seamen generally b ave three of the> . articles,. one for dress occasions, such b as reviews and Sunday one for ji> ordinary use, ..and, the last; for dirty.: > work,). ,The handkerchief, is, iwocnobynit istokevs-. and, seiupen alike, .f>ufi it da tv confined, to the bluejackets. All-above!’ !>- the rank of chief petty officer wear tfic fqrp.jand aft rig, that is, frock coat dress. The other item in the dress of the bluejackets which was put - on in memory of Nelson is the three white stripes on the collar. These are in memory’ of Nelson’s three famous victories, Trafalgar, Nile and Copenhagen.,;, i t • . , ,un i

The overture ,to New Zealand Ito cc-rae (n and join the Commonwealth which Las been decided upon:by.the Inter-State Labour Conference, makes • Mr. Fisher feel pleased, (says the ■Sydney Sun). Certainly \Maorilandi lias a good deal to teach Australia in the matter of decentralisation and iammigration. Starting late in the race and handicapped by distance and native troubles, and with only a very restricted area' to settle, the Dominion has a population vastly greater proportionally than that of tne Commonwealth. That population too, is much better, distributed: and in spite of earthquakes, volcanic outbursts, prohibition a'nd Rugby football there can be no doubt that the one million people who now possess the shaky islands are in effective occupation of them. On the other hand, the New Zealand national debt, is a wild and unholy thing, and has been piled up fast and furiously during the last few years, and the present political deadlock is of such a nature that it will be pretty difficult to find or forge any sort of key that will turn in the rusty and defunct old contraption. From the defence point of view, the closer New Zealand and Australia can get together the better. An invasion of either country must be to the eternal loss of the other; and if both could combine to create and effective fleet it should be a great gain. The Tasman is somewhat wide afid deep, but with wireless links and all the possibilities of improved transit facilities, the chances are that before twenty years are over there will be an all-night ferry service running between Circular Quay and Wellington Wharf. Mr. Fisher is out for conquest, and his victorious banner may yet wave from the flaming crest of Ruapehu.

A Melbourne girl writing from London to the Melbourne Argus says:— ‘T was fortunate to be present at the opening night of Mr. Hammerstein’s rather garish new London Opera House, the preparation and decoration of which have been so fully described. In sp to of much advertisement there was only a comparatively small audience to hear “Rigoletto”. But such as were there had the surprise of of their lives. The part of GiTda was taken by Miss Felice Lyne, an un-heard-of American slip of a girl of 20 who is the most fascinating operatic singer I have ever seen. She is barely sft. high' but oh, how she can sing. People who know say it was like the first night when Tetrazzini sang in London. However) I was not there then, but I did hear Felice Lyne. Her ringing of “Cara Nome” was something to be remembered. Not that I think she comes up to Melba, but it was the excitement of the audience that was so exhilarating. Everyone had settled down to hear a young girl do her best but at the conclusion of the florid she was enthusiastically recalled again and again. Her voice is singularly beautiful and fresh, and her compass really marvellous. Added to this, there is the charm of youth, and now London is captivated by the new prima donna. I was so delighted that I managed to go to her second performance, when the huge house was picked to the doors, and now in less than a week, Miss Lyne has risen from obscurity to be the most talked of young woman in this blase old London,”

Mrs. and Miss Stubbs "eft by ibis morning’s mail train for Wanganui, where Miss Stubbs is to attend schc 01.

A boxing tournament is to be held on February 26th, under the auspices of Eltham Sports and Pastimes Club. Among the bouts is one between W. 'Syme Stratford) and Gallop (Eltham). During the month of January, 1912, estates of deceased persons were certified for stamp duty, the largest being that of : James Johnston, Wellington, £32,057. Taranaki estates were:— Jas. Cowper £5062, Mary A. Smith £3osß.—Press Association.

The Town Clerk is at present busy preparing summonses for remiss ratepayers. Ten per cent, interest has been charged on all outstanding rates since January 14th, but thirty-seven landowners are still defaulters. The annual school picnic in cninection with Holy Trinity Church Sundayschool will be held at the Ngaore Gardens on February 15th. The outing in connection with the choir and church workers has been unfortunately postponed. , .

The Public Works Department is pushing on steadily with the construction of the Mount Egmont railway, and recently sent to Wellington foi twenty men, labour being unprocurable locally. The Railway Department has also resumed activities, at the quarry.

The attachment of a dog to its master (a Stratford man) was amusingly demonstrated at 1 the Dawson Falls Mountain House yesterday. The owner mounted the look-out tower, and was followed the whole distance of for-ty-five feet to the top of the ladders by his dog. The dog’s action greatly amused a largo number of visitors, who gathered in the vicinity and cheered him loudly.

A New Plymouth Press Association telegram records the death of Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert, S.M., which occurred early this morning. He was aged 60. He sat on the Bench on Tuesday last, but had to adjourn the Court On ao* count of illness. He was a son cf Sir William Fitzherbert, and was himself an AI.H.R. in the ’eighties. Death was due to cancer. / There was a very small number of visitors to the Stratford Alountain House yesterday, only two gentlemen essaying the walk to the top, though the weather was ideal for climbing, and the air w-as only slightly hazy as a result of bush fires. A small party went through to Curtis Falls, in which an excellent body of water was found. The grading of the track across lias been improved, though a few tough pinchqs still remain. The track to the House is in good order, the majority of the. rough spots having been smoothed down.