LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 87, 11 April 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Complaints have been made of the drainage system of Waitara, a case of diphtheria having been reported in that town. We learn on good authority that the Opunake Railway Commission will visit Stratford in about a fortnight s time. The Minister for Hospitals, the Hon. G. W. Russell, visited the local hospital yesterday, and complimented the Matron on the beautiful appearance of the hospital. We learn from the Dominion that Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, M.P., will take tip the Hon. G..Laurensoms challenge and reply to any statements that the Minister* may make in the speech he has promised to deliver in Stratford in a few weeks’ time. At the Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Mr John Leydon, J.P., Albert Ayling, Sydney Baker, and Harry Williams were further remanded till Friday on a charge of breaking, entering and theft. The metaphor is a tricky thing at times, as the Premier found at Fltham last night, when he said “the Opposition Party and Press had papered the country with barb-wire entanglements of misrepresentation.” Mr. W. T. Jennings, esrinember of Taumarunui, who has been receiving such good receptions at the recent local functions, is to he given a complimentary social and presentation on Thursday, the 18th hist., at Waitara. The Hou. G. Latirenson will probably be present. The ordinary meeting of the Stratford Borough Council will he held on Monday next. Notice of motion hat been given by Cr. Ward: “That the wages of the "Borough workmen be increased by Is per day, and that the salary of the Town Clerk be increased by £25 per annum, these increases to take effect from Ist inst.” A number of very fine motor-cars passed through Stratford to-day. The oest of them bore the number “AI,” and it certainly deserved this singularly appropriate number. Stratford, ’ by the way, has had hard luck. The title of “S.Di” is only a recent one, and consequently Stratford has only some two cars bearing this legend, the others having “T” imprinted on the number plate. - Yesterday a number of visitors were on the local green in anticipation oi the final i for "the rink championship of Taranaki between Hawera and New Plymouth. The latter were unable to get a rink together, and notified Hawera that they could not fulfil ' the engagement, hut neither club, however, thought fit to notify the, local club of the postponement. Between forty and fifty couples held the floor, in the' Ngaire Hall last night when a dance organised by a number ■ of'ladiep of the .township wasVhpld,., Mr. George Coleman, jnn., acquitted himself well in the capacity of .M.C. , and everybody present'spent'“ah'’enjoyable time. Excellent music was supplied by Messrs. Walsh Bros, and Parker, and a dainty supper, supplied . by the ladies, was handed round. The Hon. G. W. Russell, speaking to a “Stratford Evening Post” re- ' porter, at Eltham last evening,,.;asked ; that rye would express .the pleasure he felt at,being conducted over such an excellent institution as the Stratford Hospital. The Hospital was a really model one, and it was admirably controlled. The building was a very handsome one, and the grounds beau- ; tifally situated and in admirable order. A little “mix-up” occurred in Broadway this morning, when a grocer’s cart loaded with cases of kero-. 1 sene had an accident. One of the . cases slipped off the cart, and in his i effort to save it, the boy in charge was knocked over ami the horse commenced to bolt. It pulled up, however, in a few yards, and the only damage done was the loss of a few pints of I kerosene, winch would undoubtedly prove a costly liquid for watering the ' streets. Mr A. L. Humphries, lion, secre- ■ tary of the North Taranaki Hunt . Club, writes to Mr E. Jackson as follows: “We have arranged our ’ programme ’ for the coming season, ’ and have allotted four “meets,” the ■ first one of which will be held on May ■ 2nd. We have also left several dates open, so that if sufficient induce- ' ment offers and your “meets” are successful (regarding country, etc.), we 3 could give you another “meet” or"two. Kindly let me have a list of those who , have promised to join, so that I can post them a programme of the fixtures.” On Friday n'ght, the sub- - committee appointed by the Stratford members will meet. A quiet wedding took place at HastI mgs on March 31st, when Miss , Murielle Octavia Gray, of Wellington, 1 was married to Mr Frederick Everiss, 1 of tins town, Says the Gisborne ■ “Herald.” The ceremony was solemn- , ised at 12.30 p.m. at “St. Heliers,” the residence of the bride’s sister, * Mrs IV. W. Hay, the Rev. T. J. Wallis officiating. The bride, who 1 was married in her travelling costume, was given away by her sister, Mrs. Hay, and attended by her niece, Aliss Winnie Hay, as bridesmaid. Mr George Everiss, brother of the bridegroom, acted as best man. Shortly after the ceremony the bride and bridegroom loft by motor .for Napier. A bazaar was recently concluded in Blenheim, the proceeds of which were in aid of the funds of the Garrison Band. The function was under the direction of Professor Owen Cardston, who directed the “Dancing Tour of the World” in Stratford. At the conclusion, members of the band assembled and preseiired cue Proress t with a gold-mounted braid watchguard, u.th gold locket pendant, upon which was inscribed: “To Professor Owen Cardston, Director of Dancing, Garrison Band Bazaar, Blenheim, March 23 to April 2, from Blenheim Garrison Band, in token of respect and esteem, engendered during connection ; 3-1-12.” Conductor Forrest, who presided, made the presentation.' Ho spoke .of the urbanity of the Prti- ■ feasor, its command of patience under trying conditions, and iris willingness to give a helping hand outside the 1 terms of his engagement. The band were thoroughly satisfied with hi;., work, and they could not allow him to go a.vay without some token of the 1 esteem and respect in which they held him.

A troop of local Boy Scouts, under the Rev. Butler, left for Inglewood by train on Tuesday, where they commenced a march to New Plymouth They leave New Plymouth to-day on tlie return journey.

The Stratford School Committee are making representations to the Taranaki Education Beard with the view to having the schoolmaster’s residence removed, so as to enlarge the present school grounds.

After going over the local hospital, the Hon. Mr Russell wont over to the bowling green to see the match, which did not come off. Mr Russell said he had promised ’ for years to take up the game “next year,” but next year Jiaa not yes come. He understood that bowling was a splendid game for politicians, for he had been told that in both politics and howls it was essential that a man should “lie” accurately and well.