LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 13, 7 September 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tho Masterton Operatic Society produces “H.M.S. Pinafore” in the next few days, and the local papers chronicle predictions of a very successful season.

Members of the Executive of the Stratford A. and P. Association yesterday visited the Show Grounds, and selected tho site for the People’s Stand. Members were not unanimous, but there was a substantial majority in favour of erecting tho stand at the southern end of the oval. How refreshing are the weather reports of places where rain falleth, not six days out of seven! A Manawatu paner "says: “The August rainfall of 1 ..'Win. was much below the average. Half of the total (0.6) fell on the hist day. The August average for this distinct is 3.13. The August rainfall last voar was 2.42. The delightful weather which tho month has provided was associated with mild, easterly winds, of which we had twenty-four days. On the other seven days the wind was from the west.” In one day of last month, August 29th, Inglewood had 3.78 in. of rain—more than the avor-i age for a month in the Manawatu district. 1

It is stated that the Pukearuhe Cooperative Dairy Company have sold cneir output of cheese for the esnning season at GJd.

A Maori spectator’s opinion of the passive resisters at the Patea Magistrate’s Court yesterday: “They too much the big coward. They too much afraid the bullet.’

_ Co-operation has failed so far as the Puniwhakau Daily Company is concerned, and the company is now being voluntarily wound tip. There is some likelihood of a proprietary cheese factory taking nj> the running. A girl who got into the hands of the Hastings police recently for querading m male attire was mankfy* later ou, and when the charge against tier was read in Court on Monday the sergeant of police asked that it he withdrawn.

The Otago representative footballers will endeavour to relieve Auckland today of the llanfurly Shield, so Jong held by them, and which Taranaki and W ellington have already failed to do this season. Judging by results, the southerners should give a good account of themselves.

The bachelors at Toko held a very successful hall last night, when the nail was taxed to its utmost capacity. music was supplied ' by Messrs. Fowler (piano) and Man son (cornet;, while extras were played by Mrs. Bianohi and Mr. Bredow. The function was one of the most successful of its kind ever held in the district.

A passive resister at Patea was fined £5, and 7s costs, in default three weeks in Wanganui Gaol, while the hoy’s brother was lined 40s, and 7s costs. Iho latter signified his intention of serving the seven days, on "’lnch Mr. W. G. K. Ken rick, S.M., rejoined: “Do not think you will he a aero. You will rather ho held in contempt by your fellows.” The Minister for External Affairs in the Commonwealth Government has an ugly expansive comand of language. During a recent debate he described another member as “that miserable, sulking, paralytic, one-fegg'ed, onooyed, muck-worm, a creature with no pride ol ancestry and no hope of posterity—a cross between a city guineapig and a country blowfly.” In the libel case heard at Roefton yesterday, wherein R. Semple, organiser of the Federation of. Labour, charged C. R. Thornton, editor of the “Inangahua Times,” with using abusive language on July 9th last, very contradictory evidence was given. The Magistrate decide that Semple and his witness were mistaken, and dismissed the case. The Court was thronged.

Tenders will be invited some time this month for the carrying out of certain improvements to the Stratford Post Office. The plans were authorised recently, but, it is understood, the scheme of alterations is not a very comprehensive one. By the addition of a wing at the southern end, a new Postmaster’s room will be provided, and the old room will be utilised for additional counter and public space. Additional boxes will also be provided in the box lobby.

The first meeting of ,the late Mr. T. G. Macarthy’s. trustees ,was held yesterday (states a Wellington wire). His Excellency the Governor (Lord Islington), the Prime Minister (Hop. W. F. Massey), Archbishop Redwood, and the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. 1). McLaren') were present. After the meeting, Mr. Massey said the private Bill would bo introduced before the qnd of the present session, and would contain the necessary provisions to enable tiro trustees to properly administer the estate in accordance, with the wishes of the testator.

Says the Wairarapa “Age”: “The ‘Rangitikei Advocate’ is dissatisfied with the Reform Party. It thinks it is following too closely in the footsteps of its predecessors, and illustrates its contention by referring to the 1 Estimates, the State coal mines and the cooperative labour system. We are ourselves disposed to think that the Party showing too keen an aptitude for assimilating the frill legislation _ and make-believe of the discredited Liberals.”

Sir Joseph’’Ward took an opportunity in the House of Representatives on Thursday to direct attention to a paragraph on page 15 of the report of the Public Service Commission: “During the last six years or so comparatively few of these outside appointments have been made, and there seems to have been an honest attempt to fill all vacancies above that of cadet from within the service, and to keep the staff up to its necessary strength by appointments from the Junior Civil Service list.” This paragraph, Sir Joseph Ward remarked, was very gratifying to him in view of a good many strictures that had been passed. The Maori lias often been called lazy; at any rate, there are many natives who do not take kindly to really hard work. But Bishop Crossley, who has just returned to Auckland from a tour through the Taranaki district, was much impressed with the industry which is being shown by the natives in soffio parts of the dairying province. The native land has in many instances, lie says, been individualised, with the happiest results. The Maoris are building their own homes on their own land, and they are carrying out dairying operations most successfully. Their conduct and occupations are testimonies to the fact that, in tins district., at least, the Maori, when lie works, pan be successful.

The Stratford branch of the Girls’ Friendly Society is to give a concert on Tuesday next, September 10th, in the Parish Hall, with the object of bringing tho Society more under notice, and to raise some necessary funds for the expenses which have naturally been incurred in commencing. An excellent programme has been arranged by the officials, the heavy work having fallen on Mrs. C. Penn and Miss O’Leary, both of whom are enthusiastic workers in the good cause. Captain and Mrs. Dampen have very kindly consented to give assistance, and will produce a duologue entitled “Diamond Cut Diamond.” There ought to be a crowded house on Tuesday evening.

Our Toko correspondent writes:— bast night the bachelors of Toko held their annual ball in the Coronation Hall. The weather, which has been very inclement of late, moderated somewhat yesterday, and the evening being fine, there was a very tcndance. Quite sixty Hie floor, which was in perfect The arrangements were .splendid, everything going with a swing from start to finish, and the music was quite a treat, tho musicians being Messrs. Murray Fowler (piano), and Harry Mansou (cornet), both being old Toko residents, but now living at Inglewood. Extras were kindly contributed by Mrs. Bianchi and Mr. Bredow. The committee wish to thank the following ladies who helped to make the upper such a success:—Mrs. Riley, Mrs. H. Judd. Miss Morrison, Miss Corbet and A 1 iss Queenie Burgham. Great credit is due tho energetic seci Tai-y, Mr. J, Breman, and the cornmill ee, for tho very pleasant evening, which will long be looked back upon with pleasure.