LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 89, 10 December 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Grey Education Board lias rc cently approved of a Catholic schoo, in Greymouth as an institution in which board scholarships may be held, 'An experimental farm is in view for Mamaku, in the Rotorua Survey District. This week’s Gazette states that 305 acres of land have been set aside there for that purpose. At Tunbridge Wells (England) County Court Judge Parry told a witness who referred to the year 1907 as “07’ not to speak of the year of our Lore as if it were a telephone number. Oamaru made a splendid start foi the fund to raise a General Root] memorial. There was one gift o: £IOO, eight of £25, and one of these is to be repeated, making a total o nearly £IOO in all from that town. A meeting at Te Kuiti last week de eided by 29 to 14 that a change in tin present administration of the liquoi traffic was desirable. The meeting recommended municipal control as be ing the most effective. “Two wet days! Why, d-——n it, my men did not make a fortnight in r month,” exclaimed a Councillor lasi evening, when the Town Clerk stated that the Rorough workmen had nr'ss ed two days out of the 30 in tin mouth. “And they worked part o those two days,” added Mr Skoglnnd At Port Chalmers on Thursday aft ernoon a schoolboy threw a lightta cracker which struck the breast o a schoolgirl’s dress, and set her cloth ing on fire. The girl’s clothing wer< burnt through when her cries brought an adult to her aid. The child es caped with a slight scorching of hei throat and chin.

“J don’t believe in these approxim ate figures. The figures should he ex act. We should know the qunntit; of metal taken out, and what it ha. cost. The approximate is not goo< enough for me.” This was Councilloi Dingle’s final word with regard to : little breeze that occurred between him and Councillor King at the meeting last night, the latter having queried Councillor Dingle’s authority foi stating that metal cost nearer 3s pci yard than 2s od. The “kinch”—as the Americans sa\ —of the evening at the banquet to the Hon. Mr Allen at - Lawrence war got off by Mr .1. H. Allen, who said lie knew nothing of the political career of the member for Bruce, but be would say, if he were permitted tr say it, that if be did as much fm New Zealand as he bad done for hif son (the speaker) the country would do well. The tribute of son to father was received with great gusto which made the welkin ring. The first wedding (the Taihape News informs us) was celebrated in the Kakahi Anglican Church last week, whei .Mr A. E. Smith and Miss Christie were married by the Rev. Stent, of Raetihi. The fact that the wedding was also the first celebrated in the newly-registered () whan go Marriage District pales into insignificance beside the shock the first sentence will give to all good Benedicts and true in the past.

Milk testing is now being taught in the State Schools of Tasmania. A New York goat has eaten a bundle of dollar notes worth £2B and a bahk pass-book left lying about by another goat. A colonial inquiry into the fire which took place at J. H. Cock and Co.’s warehouse has been commenced. The jury viewed the site and formally adjourned till Monday, l')ecember 16. A rare honour was paid on October loth to Mr Henry Horsfeld, w!?o retired from the town clerkship of Barnsley (England) after 33 years’ service. ’I lie Borough Council on that occasion conferred on. him the honorary freedom of their city. A mammoth glow-worn has just been found at the Call of the Wild in the Santa Cruz Mountains. At full length the specimen is about four and a half inches in length, and when placed in the dark the rings encircling the body produce a gorgeous effect. The Vidi, a steamer recently launched in New Jersey, has a glass bottom, through which passengers can see one hundred feet into the depths of the ocean. It will cause a rare thrill (remarks an exchange), when one of them sees a suffragette mermaid swimming up with a hammer in her hand.

Herman Hunker, a man of 63, who was charged at Brooklyn with attacking his wife, was bound over to be of good behaviour for seven years, during which period Mrs Hunker is to report daily to the Court that her husband has kissed her at least twice in the 21 hours. That strawberries can he grown to perfection in Stratford has been amply demonstrated by Mr E. P. Beauchamp, of the railway service, who brought a beautiful sample of “The Conqueror” to this office yesterday. The luscious fruit was grown in the open, only protected by wire netting against the depredations of birds. “What a reflection on Stratford,” remarked tho Mayor when a letter from the Now Plymouth Town Clerk was read, offering a water cart for sale. His Worship pronounced the first word with a rather broad accent and joined the particle to it, but we will give him the benefit of the doubt that he did not intend to perpetrate an almost unpardonable pun. In one matter at least Servia cah give points to the rest of Europe—the generous provision made by the hotels lor travellers’ requirements in the way of toilet. Not only does.on© find public soap—which Britains resent not finding in France and Germany—but also public hair brushes, and clothes brushes. Sometimes there is even a public toothbrush, and always there is a pair of slippers provided in every bedroom.

Gottfried Fischer, aged 03, of Zoffingen, in the Canton of Argovie, recently died at his home after carrying a bullet in his heart 30 years. During the pursuit of a criminal, Fischer was shot in the heart, and was taken to hospital, apparently dying. To the amazement of the doctors, howover, he recovered, and in a 1 few weeks lie was able to rejoin the police force. Fischer was not molested by the doctors, and continued his duties. ,; He died on October 9th of a chill on the ■ ungs. The frivolous cigarette has found a place in the affection of the Germans, and every year the Fatherland spends more money on the trifling vice. Last year 250,000,000 marks were spent in ■mying 9,382 million cigarettes, and chat, too, in a • country, where quite a smokable cigar can be bought for a penny-farthing.ln 1897 the whole German nation only smoked 1000 millian cigarettes, so that the insidious hab-t is evidently increasing by leaps and hounds. Some of the best known Egyptian makers have established factories in Hamburg and other cities to supply the need. When the barbarians conquer and overrun New Zealand, .laying waste fenced cities and despoiling tiie treasure repositories, some of the underlings may find it worth their while to knock over the foundation stones for the sake of the coins. Then the savage to whom is assigned the King Edward pavilion (says the Dunedin “Star”) will experience “a sell,” and he may say things about the Scotch of Dunedin, for instead of a bag of gold and silver his haul will consist of a parchment list of the coins current in King George’s reign. The new departure at stone-laying functions is economical, therefore wise. Mr C. Newham, the cinematogrph photographer from Wanganui, spent a busy day at the mountain on Sunday (states the Herald). His pictures include several views of the interior of the new hostelry, a party climbing, another party glissading, and; indeed, all the incidentals of mountaineering. Mr Newham yesterday took the oilfields at Moturoa, including photos of the new refinery in course of erection. While in Wellington recently he contracted with an Austral an firm to supply weekly a number of feet of New Zealand films, and the pictures just taken will be included in one of the next Australian Gazettes. When the Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution recommending, for the consideration of the Council, the extension of the brick area in Stratford, the opinion was expressed by a member of the Chamber that this interesting topic would occupy the earnest attention of the Council for the space of one whole evening. As a matter of fact, Councillors last night took exactly Imin 55 1-5 seconds to bear the Chamber’s views, as expressed by Secretary Richards, and pass a resolution that the time was “not yet” when the Council could undertake such a work. The Mayor, who is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, was quite jubilant over this record dispatch of the Council’s business.

Particulars of the death of Mr Alex (J. Husband are to hand from Seattle. Deceased and a companion, J. R. Jones, were drowned in the Skagit river, near Mount Vernon, while moving a scow across the stream. Husband’s body was recovered, but Jones’ body is missing, reports the paper. Husband sacrificed his own life in a vain endeavour to rescue his companion, who, losing his balance,Bad fallen overboaid. Husband, wlumvas a foreman on bridge work, was ihstructed to move a scow, on which the crew worked, to the head of a span on the opposite side of the river. It was eight o’clock at night, and the men worked without lights. ’iliere was no tackle, and the scow was being pulled hand over hand by means of an overhead cable spanning the river. Jones had secured an iron bar, and was endeavouring to push the scow forward. He lost his balance and fell overboard. Jones called for assistance. Husband p oked up a piece of rope, about twenty-five feet long, wrapped it about him and leaped from the scow. There were no lanterns to guide him, and in the darkness Husband went down to his death, striving to save his comrade. The news of the accident came as a sad shock to Mr and Mrs Husband and family, of Raglan, with whom the deepest sympathy has been expressed in their bereavement.

r The Darkota Minstrels will give a performance in the Coronation Hall, Toko, on Thursday evening. The Jnglewood Record states there is no truth in the report that Dr KerrHeslop has refused the Government appointment at Christchurch. The paper on behalf of residents of district regrets the fact. Remarked one of the borough Councillors prior to the meeting last night: “I threatened to sue him, and he sent me a £1 and wished me_ a MeJf-v Christmas and a Happy New Yea*!” Sorhe people have luck! Interesting articles arising out of the Borough Council meeting last night appear on other pages of this issue: 'Tiie Borough Council general report and “Insanitary Stables” appear on page 3, “A Rise in Wages” on page 7, and “I’m Going Home” on page 2. The Stratford Co-operative Dairy Company is turning out half to threequarters of a ton more butter per day just now than at the corresponding i period last year. The increase is attributed largely to the . better season, though a slight increase in tin number of suppliers, better cows, etc., are also determining factors. ‘A matter of considerable importance to housewives is the rise in the retail price, of eggs. A shilling a dozen, has ruled for some time past and at the price eggs were a “snip, as the speculators say, when compared to some other comestibles of everyday need. “One and two” no doubt is due to the annual rush of Christmas baking.

A Maori boy about 12 years of age had a narrow escape from drowning at the Wairigongoro beach on Sunday, owing to being washed off his feet while attempting to cross the river. The lad was carried several chains down stream (states the Hawera Star), but Mr George Clareburt, jun., who war fishing on the bank, jumped in just ir time to save him from being carrier to sea. The lad was then in a rathe: bad way, but recovered later on. The Eltham Argus says: Mr Basham, County Engineer, has brought to our office an interesting geological specimen in the form of a piece o! shell rock from the Mangamingi district. It is very heavy, and appears to be composed of absolutely solid shell, there being not a sign ol mullock or sand. The shells appeal to be all of the variety known a? cockles, and are completely fossilised. Where this shellrock is being taken from is up on a high ridge, so there must have been a great convulsion ol nature in the dim and distant past when the ocean bed was thrust upwards. Some time ago we were showi a fossilised shark’s tooth found in the same locality, which should be an interesting neighbourhood for geologists.

The effect of the waterside strike at Timaru was being unpleasantly felt ou Wednesday last when a Timaru Herald reporter interviewed a nurnbei of business people. It was generally, considered that if the strike affain continued for long the trade of Tim an would receive a set-back. Dunedii merchants had already refused and cancelled orders for shipment to and from Timaru. Local firms were at r loss to know what to do about then ■shipments, many of them having tc pay demurrage, and the loss in some cases was stated to run into hundreds of pounds. A message received last night states that the wharf strike was declared off. Mr Webb, president of the Federation, met the men and pom ted out that the strike had not beer authorised by the Federation, and, ij the interests of discipline the mer should resume work. Ilecognising the force of Mr Webb’s argument the mer agreed to resume.

A faceting of the committee that ha? heeil appointed in connection with tin formation of the proposed “Farmers’ Co-operative Organisation Society” was held in the Chamber of Commerce rooms, Eltham, on Saturday, when there was a good attendance of the committee. A draft prospectus waf approved for the society and it was decided that Mr Bnckeridge and others on the committee should arrange meetings at the various dairy factor ies in the district, and also at othei centres, and fully explain the object £ of the proposed society, with a view to having sub-committees appointed in the various centres, anel to having delegates appointed to attend the lirsl general meeting to be held as soor as possible in Hawera. The proposed society is meeting with strong sup port everywhere and it is confidently expected that it will be an established fact inside of six months. Mr Buckeridge has been asked to address the suppliers of the Kaponga Dairy Co, on Tuesday, 17th instant, on the above subject. At a meeting of the Taranaki Teachers Institute on Saturday(the President in the chair), it was reported that of the 98 replies to the circular regarding the holidays, 85 were in favour of the institute’s proposal. It was resolved that two members of the executive residing in New Plymouth, together with the secretary, wait on the Board at it« next meeting, requesting that the holidays be readjusted in accordance with the wish of the majority of the teachers. Regarding the order paper for the annual conference the delegates were recommended to amend No. 29 to read, “That the publication of inspectors’ reports, which are confidential, and reports to boards and committees, is not in the best interests of education.’’The appointment of inspectors by the Education Department was strongly supported, the opinion being expressed that all past appointments by the department, with perhaps one exception, had been a success. The remit on Bible-reading in schools was warmly discussed, but the delegates were given a free hand oh the question/ It was recommended that the examination for proficiency certificates should be held in December as pupils examined early in November were placed at a great disadvantage. Miss Tooman, M.A., was elected a member of the institute.