LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 49, 22 October 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The report of last night’s Borough Council meeting has been cut up. Reference to the loan proposals will be found on page 3, and the discussion on Victoria Bridge on the seventh. Parliamentary news appears ( on page,B. A man charged at Invercargill with resisting the police and damaging a uniform, called evidence to show that he was of good character under normal circumstances, and was “leaving Invercargill to get away from the drink.” And Invercargill is a No-li-cense township!

At the special meeting of the Stratford Borough Council last evening a letter was received from the A. and P. Association requesting that the Council should remove, or give permission to bo removed, their portion of the banks near the railway crossing on the Flint Road, pointing out that these banks obstructed the view of drivers of vehicles and constituted a grave source of danger. It was decided to permit the Association to remove the earth, and to supoprt the Association in their overtures to the Railway Department to have their portion of the bank removed. ,

Mineral gas, apparently of the same descriptions as that found at Waipatiki, near Weber, was discovered at Akitio a day or two ago in the most unexpected manner, says the ‘Dannevirko News.’ Experimental borings for ascertaining the nature of the foundation for bridge building purposes had been made. One of these was in midstream. ■ While in the vicinity of it one of the workmen struck a match, and an area some two or three feet in size burst into flames on top of the water, showing that there was evidently a strong escape of gas coming from the earth up through the water. The escape is considered to have been pretty strong, as the bore remained open for some days, while the following day the gas was also again in evidence. The gas was burning altogether for a period of two or three hours. Constable McLeod, of Taihape, who has to his credit several smart captures (says the Mangaweka ‘Settler’), again distinguished himself last week by running to earth Ceorge Maxwell, at Hihitahi, who was wanted on a charge of forging the name of I’. Lingtin, to a cheque for £3 9s, at Wellington. The accused, at the time of his arrest, was working_ at a bufj.li camp away in the interior. McLeod, who was accompanied by Constable McDonnell, was foiled on the first visit. Word was conveyed to Maxwell that the police were on his track, but being assured that the “Johns” would be too lazy to make another descent on the camp that night, he was induced to sleep'in camp. Just about midnight McLeod and his mate, after scrambling their way through rough country, again raided the camp, and secured their man. He was at once taken to Wellington, where the charge will bo heard.

There was a touch of the ceremonious about the appearance of one of the B grade bands at His Majesty’s Theatre in Dunedin in the recent hand contest. When the curtain rose, the drum major, in full regalia, saluted the audience, then pivoted and saluted the incoming conductor, thus delivering the band into his hands, and then made a punctilious exit. Lovers of etiquette appreciated this somewhat rare attention to ceremony. But the moment the audience wore free to look on the band they hurst out laughing, for some of the bandsmen thought so little of dress as to peel their coats off, and one of the cornet players stripped himself to his singlet! Our people (states the ‘Star’) are not captious about these matters, but it did seem odd that the drum major should represent strict form and the cornet man advertise his contempt for appearances. The incongruity tickled the onlookers. Two or three of the bands that came on later partly adopted the shirt-cleeve costume. It was a hot night.

A farmer has been fined 5s at Omagh, Ireland, for furious driving at a funeral.

A prisoner escaped from the Waiotapn tree-planting camp' yesterday afternoon, lint was recaptured in about two hours.

Die special meeting of the Borough Council last evening authorised the expend turn ol £2 for papering the read-ing-room in the Council Chambers. I nis morning the work was being done.

A lady teacher sent in her resignatnm to the Wanganui Education Board, because she objected to teaming “such a flat, stale, and unprofitable subject as geography,” Delegates from Wanganui to New 1 Jymouth will assemble in Stratford to-morrow in connection with the li motive Methodist Synod which commences on that day.

I should- be hold over until find where Oblivia Street is,” i c marked a Councillor last night, gazmg curiously at a typewritten report icfore him. ‘That’s very unfair,” replied the 1 own Clerk, anxious to delend tlie work of the office.

Hie anniversary celebrations of the Smi'p'''?' V hm -n h ’, wo W( ‘ll attended on Sunday last, will be concluded to-mor-iow evening with a tea and concert. A van ®d programme has been picpaied, consisting of items by prominent artists. 1

A local publican’s stables have been •“it +hp bj rt Ct ° f i f n lrly Jon S discussions at the Borough Council’s meetings of f V S, La n S llt B "As decided to ask the Health Department to reconsider bficii . decision to the effect that the imldings should be condemned The bnibbl, 66 T, 1 ' 6 ° f t ! le °l >illioll th at the twi K C °n d repairs, and that "° U C sufficiently meet the

Sa 'T £ our ' nfe bas been faultless, said Mr Kettle, 8.M., at the Auckland Magistrate’s Court, dn a domestic case, “but 1 have come to the conclusion that she has done her ),est for you and your children all UK.se mars, and I air. rf ohniK.ii a'J ; °, lu treatment of her has been brutal. J have long contended that Magistrates should have the power to orands suc]l as. you to be flog-

. i euchre P ai ’ty in connection with the Stratford Oddfellows’ Lodge was held in. the Foresters’" Hall last night and a splendid evening was spent. Miss Scott and Mrs, J. Jones played off . tne ladies prize, the former winning. Mrs. McQuay carried off the consolation” prize. Messrs. Payton ij. li. Judd, and Miscall were the prize winners among the gentlemen, the last named securing the “booby.” Mrs. Li cokings excellent catering was a feature of the evening. There was a big attendance. My. C. D. Sole, lion, sec., is to be congratulated on the arrangements made. \

An accident of a peculiar nature, and fraught with many dangers, occm red in Broadway yesterday afternoon. A horse driven by Mrs. Mackay suddenly became unmanageable, ami dashed around the street in mad fashion. Miss Mackay, who was with liei mother in the vehicle, was thrown out, and, later on, Mrs. Mackay lierse f was jerked out of the trap. Two other vehicles became concerned in the melee, which for a moment was a scene of the utmost confusion; Neither of the occupants of the trap was seriously hurt, though both sustained a severe shock.

A case of interest to dog owners ivas heard in the Palmerston South Court before Mr. Hutchinson/’S.M. James Craig, a shepherd, owned a dog of the value of £lO, which trespassed on the property of James Ross, and was there caught in a ribbit trap, the property of Frank Glover, who lias the right to rabbit on Mr. Ross’s land. Glover killed the dog. The dog was registered, but was not wearing a oroper regulation collar. The Magistrate held that Glover was not Ross’s agent within the meaning of the Dog Registration Act, and that he was therefore liable to the plaintiff for the price of the dog. Judgment was accordingly given (says the Dunedin Star ) for the plaintiff, for £lO, and costs.

If the rabbit really knew his own value ho would puff to the size of an ox (writes the ‘Dunedin Star’). For a few choice doeskins the record price of 5s 6Jd per lb was realised at auction in Dunedin. These skins run between five and six to the pound in weight. It is not to be supposed that this price represents values in a lull market. The explanation is that there was a little enthusiasm about a few odd lots at the close of the season. London prices just at present do not, we are told, justify such a figure. Still, there is the fact, and the 5s 6ld stand as a record. Another related record may bo published at the same time. A local firm recently offered 100 opossum skins, and one line of 30 odd selected black skins brought 9s lOd each. So the opossum and the rabbit _ may be setting up a mutual admiration society. Hardly has one Holstein-Friesian cow established a production record than it is surpassed by a yet greater record (says the ‘Dominion’). Not many months, ago American files announced that. Pontiac Lady Korndyke Had won the crown in the seven and thirty day divisions, with the great productions of 30.4221 b. fat from 601.4 lb. milk in seven days, and 125:541b. fat from 2496.71 b. milk in thirty days. Now it is reported that she must stand aside to make room for Valdessa Scott j IJ., with the much greater productions of 33.51 b. fat from 694.61 b milk in seven days, and 132.388 lb. fat from • 2933.311). milk in thirty days. These yields arc so large that it causes one to wonder how any caw can produce them; yet immense as they are, no doubt in due time some other and greater Holstein cow will ~ surpass them. Valdessa Scott 11. is in no way closely related in blood lines to the cows for many years prominently before the public, and the discovery of so wonderful a cow among the outsiders goes far to strengthen the claim that there are plenty of great cows in the rank and file of the Holstein legions, which cows can only be brought under notice by the test. Chatting with a Dunedin ‘Star’ representative, the Hon. J. A. Millar said that his health was greatly improved since his last visit to Dunedin, hut, in accordance with the advice of Drs. Wohlmann and was abstaining from taking par®in political work. He had been enjomed to continue this rest for a few months longer. Mr. Millar said that if his health permitted his taking an active part in next session’s work he would do found in his place in Parliament; but if the progress which, he was happy to say he had made, did not prove to be permanent, he would place nis resignation in the hands of his constituents, for he was determined that the electors oT Dunedin West should not be disfranchised for a second session. He was determined not to lie a mere figure on the political chessboard. Mr. Millar added that lie fully appreciated the consideration shown him in his illness by his constituents, and he had hopes cf being well enough to serve them—as he trusted he had done in the past—by the faithful and loyal discharge cf hn duties as their representative in Parliament.

During the hist financial year, the length of new railway .'period for traffic in New Zealand was eighty-two miles. To show how quickly a district becomes depopulated where a strike even, mate’s, it may be instanced (says an exchange) that whereas some 300 men cro engaged at the Blackwater mines, on the West Coast of the South Island, prior to the strike, less than a hundred now remain at Waiutu. 'those remaining, it is stated, are on strike pay, and, together with a little alluvial gold which they obtain, are enabled to live comfortably, not to say Affluently, during the strike period. “It is no good me joining the Territoiials because I am frightened of a gun,” declared Allan Wright when charged at the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court with failing to serve under the Defence Act. “The last time I used a gun was when I fired a pearifle in our garden, and I was fined 10s for doing it, and they might line me if I used a gun in the Territorials. The Magistrate advised the youth not to talk in such a manner, but to make up his mind to join the Territorials. He was fined ss. The Rev. S. Bailey, of Wanganui, conducted the 22nd anniversary services at the Primitive Methodist i Mmroh, Stratford, on Sunday. There w»re large congregations at all ser""•es. and appropriate discourses were preached. A feature of the day was r.'ne excellent singing of the largo choir and hearty congregational singing of the old well-known hymns. The anniversary celebrations will he continued to-morrow evening, with a tea at >J o’clock and a concert at eight. The Stratford Bowling Club’s green will be open fur play on Thursday afternoon. Ijast night representatives from various public sporting organisations interviewed the Tradesmen’s Association, with a daylight saving proposal. ..apparently it met with unanimous approval, but there is,a slight difficulty owing to a lack of knowledge as to how'the inspector of factories, for .in-stance,-would legard an early opening ami early closing of all the shops. However, a committee was set up, and a petiitonwill be drafted and circulated among the tradespeople. This will contain the alternative of starting at seven or half-past, and .closing at nve or half-past.

A whirlwind, after laying flat a portion of bush near Kaitaia (says the Whangarei Mail) appears to have struck the Raiatea range, levelling a large patch of forest there, and to have been deflected from its course, upwards as nothing was heard further of its devastation; but the roar of falling bush was heard plainly at KoliuicoTiu, and within thiry minutes there was a thick fall of leaves and twigs through Broadwood district, and Kohukbhu and as far south as Kaikohe. The distance from Kohukohu to the scene of havoc is about twenty miles.

An amusing passage of arms took place in the South Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. A lengthy argument- in a civil case was about to be concluded, when one of the counsel queried a statement made by libs friend on the other side of the tame, asking: “Where is your authority?” Without hesitation the second counsel rapped out, “Common sense,” to which counsel No. 1 retorted: “It is rather a, dangerous thing to appeal to for an authority.” At this juncture his Worship, who had been engaged in reading a real authority, looking up. and ashed, “What was that, M -?” The gentleman interrogated replied: “Oh, it’s only a little matter between my friend and myself. He was speaking to me about common-sense, and he asked me for my authority. 1 said ‘I thought ,you were,’ but he denies it.” 1 •