LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 25, 28 January 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The members of the Kiwitea County Council annually make a two days’ tour of inspection of the county roads. With motor cars and full hampers the trip is a pleasant one in fine weather and a good deal of useful work is done.

The president of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce stated recently that it had been proposed to take up the question of a woollen mill early in the new year, but in view of the industrial unrest, and the stringency of the money market, he did not think it desirable to take action in the meantime.

The Timaru Post states that some excitement was caused on the Marine parade on Monday evening by the appearance among the seaweed and rocks opposite the Caroline Bay Swimming Club’s platform of a very large octopus. Its movements as it stretched out its long arms over the rocks created quite a sensation and made swimmers quite ill with the ease and the power it showed when embracing an object. An attempt was made to capture it with a boathook, but the octopus. easily avoided the strong grip made upon it, and glided away among the seaweed. If any ballin’ got within reach, of the tentacles of the octopus seen he would have a very poor chance of getting away alive.

On board the steamer Victoria, which arrived at Auckland from Sydney on Sunday (says the Now Zealand Herald), is a large assortment of Australian birds. The birds are consigned to Mr W. C. Davies, of the Model Poultry Farm, at Napier. They are comfortably housed on the well-deck forward, and appeared to be in excellent condition. The consignment consists of 20 lovebirds, 12 rosellas, 12 galalis, 20 nightingales, 12 finches, 20 manakins, and 30 diamond sparrows. There are also on the steamer a fine specimen of a young Australian kangaroo, two bandicoots, six small guinea pigs. 13 long-necked tortoises, 30 Japanese Goldfish, 12 newts, and 6 lizards.

The Aorangl bowlers (South Canterbury) passed through Stratford this morning, en route for Feilding. They were beaten yesterday by a .New Flymouth team. The Oddfellows’ euchre party, which was to have been held in the Foresters’ Hall last night was, on account of the wet weather, postponed until Monday week.

Up to date, the General Booth Memorial Fund has reached £6BIB, including eleven donations of £IOO each, thirteen of £SO, forty-one of £25, and nine of £2O.—P.A. wire.

Here is an item for naturalists: Docs the minah eat the young of other birds: The Maketawa correspondent of the News reports that one of thej birds was seen with a small fledgling in its beak, while a lark was “going ail out” chasing the bigger bird, which evidently had robbed the lark’s nest. It certainly is unique and may interest students of bird life.

The president of the Tradesmen’s Association wrote yesterday to the postmaster, Mr J. G. Stanton, with the request that Thursday next, being a public holiday, it would be a great advantage if a delivery of letters were made over the counter on Wednesday, between 7 and 8 p.m. Mr ’Stanton immediately replied stating that ho had arranged for this to be done, and would also make a very early delivery by letter-carrier on Thursday motning, so%aS to catch the public before they leave home.

The Waitara fire-bell was (rung under somewhat peculiar circumstances on Saturday evening last. The stationmaster instructed one of his men to ring the five-minute bell, and the man made all haste to the firehell, which he rang. The stationmaster, on not hearing the five-minute bell rung as he had given instructions, went to see what had happened, and was informed that a member of his staff was ringing the firehell. The Taranaki Herald’s correspondent says it is not likely that any action will be taken against the person ringing the bell—although the offence is rather a serious one.

Joseph Bannehr Edgar, a prisoner in Auckland Gaol, was charged at the Police Court last week with malingering. He was transferred early in December from Wellington Gaol and put to work breaking stones, but protested that he was unfit for such Work, and persisted in using his left hand only. The gaol surgeon concluded that the prisoner was malingering. Edgar now said that he'was a musician and quite incapable of doing the work allotted him. Mr Cutten, S.M., decided that the prisoner was suffering from a severe attack of imagination, and sentenced him to seven days’ close confinement in a night cell on half rations without exercise.

A correspondent writes as follows to a Christchurch paper: A . remarkable discovery was recently made concerning the hatching powers of the sparrow. Not long ago Master Crispian Saunderson, of Wright’s road,, Hillmorton, climbed up to a sparrow’s nest extracting the eggs, and in their, stead put a hen’s egg, not thinking the sparrow would sit on it • but, to his great surprise, on climbing up, after 22 days, he found that a chicken had been hatched, which is now running about the yard. Another egg was placed in the nest, and every time the boy climbed up the tree, the sparrow lies out, leaving the egg quite Warm. •

At the recent Auckland show a lady met with an accident owing*, it was alleged, to a fence collapsing, and causing such injuries as to necesitate her being taken home in a motor car. The executive of tire Auckland A. and P. Association received a letter from the lady at its meeting on Friday asking the association to pay her expenses. Members present expressed the opinion that the association could not accept any liability in the matter, but that at the same time if the case was a deserving one they, individually, would not mind rendering her some assistance.

At the Hawera Magistrate’s Court yesterday Percy Steer, a young man, said to be deficient mentally and also weak in body, pleaded guilty to having sent or caused to bo sent through the post an indecent document. The Magistrate (Mr Kenrick) said this sort of thing could not be tolerated, and were the defendant not as described he would have sentenced him to a long term of imprisonment. He would be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, conditionally that he did not go out of doors in the evening after sunset for twelve months, and that his general behaviour was good. The Magistrate said there was nothing to prevent him from going for a walk with his mother or some responsible person approved by her. His Worship advised the lad to read good literature (reports the Star).

A rather painful experience fell to the lot of Mr Night McCartney, a prominent swimming enthusiast, at the Maddison Baths, Hastings, last week (says the Napier Telegraph). Mr McCartney gave an item known as the “Monte Christo Dive,” in which he was enveloped in a huge bag. This is lighted, and the swimmer jumps from the spring-board to the water, frees himself from the baggage, and unexpectedly comes to the surface of the water at the other end of the baths. In order to give a better effect he used some red flare powder, which gives a fine spectacular effect. However, the ignition was too rapid, and before the “leaper” knew where he was his skin was badly burned. He jumped into the water instantly and put the flames out, but he had to at once receive medical attention, and does not expect to be able to use his right arm for a fortnight. Mr McCartney’s shoulder and head were also badly burned.

The Poverty Bay Herald reports the death of the infant son of Mr and. Mrs A. G. Slight on Thursday last under circumstances of a distressing nature. The parents were residing at Mangatu, where Mr Slight was en- ~v gaged on a building being erected for Mr W. Barron. Shortly after 1 o’clock the child, which was eleven months old, and an only child, picked up a No. 10 screw, 1£ inches long, and put it in his mouth. The screw slipped down the child’s windpipe, point first, and there stuck. Eve; v ef'ort was made to extract the piece if tal, but without success. One gen tleman managed to get bold of the screw, but lie could not mill it out, and the little throat must have been badly torn. A doctor was room unicated with and bis advice was followed, but the child died about i. 30. It is thought that Heath was caused principally from shock. The matter was reported to the District Coroner, who directed that no inquest vas - ccessary.

Jupiter Pluvius had an innings last night, and he made the wicket to ins liking. hfl cracked the balls of thunder to the outfield in great style, found the empty spots in Ins opponent’s defence and dropped the balls oil his bat in countless numbers. His lightning strokes filled the spectators with awe and wonder. So sever© was the onslaught that he eventually drove the field to shelter. Pluvius batted away throughout the night rattling up suck a score as to damp the ardour of Ins opponents. He was “not out at breakfast time, but towards noon he was arrested for being under the influence of moisture and was sentenced to remain in custody until after the £i*ool excursion on Thursday.

Whatever one may think of the politics of Sir Joseph Ward, one cannot help admiring his patriotism when abroad (remarks the Wairarapa Age.) It would- have been the easiest thine imaginable for him, on his arrival in England, to have made the task ol Mr Allen in raising a loan for the dominion somewhat difficult. Instead of doing that, however, he has gone out of his way, in an interview with the Financial News, to state that New Zealand offers the surest ground in the world for the investment of capital. When he said this he was speaking what is undoubtedly the truth. But it would have been so easy for him not to have said it. His attitude in this matter affords a striking proof of his loyalty to the dominion, if it does nothing else.

“When Baby’s Christened” is one of the household’s red-letter days, so that next Sunday will be a memorable occasion for, it is. stated, four ol Stratford’s homes. Incidentally, in some families such an event is the occasion for a good deal of banter anc wit notwithstanding the solemnity attached to the proceedings in so fat as the spiritual welfare of the humai is concerned. And Dame Rumor i: wagging her tongue in this as in mos othbr family matters. It is report ed that the fathers of some of the infants are quietly wagering as tc whose “latest”-' will stand the cok douche best, while one fond matei has put her charge into strict train ing, and is giving it several practiceevery .day in the hope of winning hei “hubby’s” bet! (

So’ far no (definite announcement has been made concerning the De ' partment’s intentions in the case o the man Johnson, who escaped from the Auckland, Mental Hospital three weeks ago. Johnson is perfectly willing to leave his hiding place and give himself up to the authorities, provicl ed he is afforded the opportunity ol proving his claim to sanity. Mrs Johnson wrote recently to the Minister asking for a thorough enquiry anti was referred to Dr. Beattie, medica superintendent of the Mental Hospi tal. Dr Beattie is away on holidays, and is not due back until February 7th. Mr J. R. Lundon, solicitor foj Johnson, has written to the Ministei asking that a Board of Inquiry shoulc be set pp to inquire into Johnson’, case, and stating that immediate!, the Board was so constituted John son would come forward for examina tion.

The meeting of the Swimming Clu) last evening ventilated a small mattei that has long been a topic amonj local swimmers—the increase from five shillings to seven and sixpence in the price of a season ticket to tin school baths. Last year was a veiy poor swimming season, and on the fact of this, it seemed to many an erroi of judgment on the part of the Schoo. Committee to raise the fee. The re suit has been that many swimmerf have confined their patronage to th< rivey, and the attendance at the baths has suffered in consequence; even tin lack of interest in the swimming clui may in part be attributed to this action of the committee. It is uu necessary to stress the point, but, a* the meeting last evening; a motion wai passed that the School Committee bi asked £0 reduce the price of season tickets for Swimming Club members to the price obtaining formerly.

After their return irom f tnira Otago the northern members of Farlia ment will pay a- brief visit to the southern part of the province. Tht Otago Daily,' Times states that thej will leave Dunedin by the first ex press on Friday next and proceed tc Tapanui, whence, under Hie guidance of the presidents of the Soutnlar.d am Gore A. and P. Societies, Hie Invercar gill Chamber of Commerce, and thf Gore Racing Club, they w 1,11 moto? to Crookston, through the Morim Downs, and on to Gore, through tin Little Waikaka Valley. Gore wil be left on Saturday morning for In vercargill, and en route the visitor; will run through Waimumu, Mataura Wyndbam, Edendale, Seaward Downs Mataura Island, Fortrose, and Glen ham. On Sunday, February 2nd, a round trip will be made through Riverton, Gtautau, Tuatapere, Clifden, and Drummond, and on February 3rd Win ton and Lumsden will be visited, tin party rejoining the railway at Gore which will be reached via the Waimea Plains. The night will be spent ii Balclutha, and on the following daj (Tuesday), as the guests of the peoph of Balcltitha, the visitors will be giver an Opportunity of viewing the Cluthf. Valley up to Tuapeka Mouth. The return journey to Dunedin will bt mad© either on the same night or bx the morning express on the following Wednesday.

Some people will wager about any thing. Ap instance of this occurred in Hawera last week, when a discus sion arose whether it would be pos sible JFpr a man to pull a given weigh half a mile away by means of a length of twine. The Star says that then were strong supporters ,of both the negative and the positive, and two young men backed their opinion foi an even £ls tjiat they would shift half a brick a distance of twelve in cbe<s by means of a length of bindei twine half a mile long. It is not easj to . understand on what hypothesi: those taking up the negative based their argument. Half a brick would weigh approximately and a bal of binder twine about 61b, or 400 feet to the pound, so that the total weight, less the friction, that had to be pulled was only about 111 b. The “problem” was put to the test at 6 o’clock the .other morning, One end of the bin**let twine was attached to the half brick, and a person stood on it, while one of the contestants started off on his half-mile walk, paying out tin twine, Which was kept taut. When the half-mile was traversed a signal was given, the brick was released, the man at the other end gave a pull, and the piece of brick moved seventeen yards! There are some people in HaWera to-day who know a little more about lengths, of twine, friction \ etc., than they did a week go, and their pockets are also lighter for the information, acquired. , Your best companion on your weekend trip is a packet of Regent Cigarettes. Smoke them and share in the Great Free Gift Scheme. s

An attractive programme has boon prepared in connection with the cobweb social to be held in the Broad-; way schoolroom this evening. Instrumental items will be rendered by Mr' and Miss Rogers (violinists) and MrJ Davies (cornet), an address will bej given by the Rev. J. Pattison, and a recitation by Miss Moon. The popularity of Mr W. D. S. MacDonald and the esteem in which he is held were evidenced at the function on Saturday by the cordial reception accorded him (says the Opotiki Herald). When the cheers were called for the Ministers and responded to, a stentorian voice demanded, “One for Mlic,” and it was there every time

The prevalence of beards in New Zealand is a point that lias struck our latest visitors—Mr Evelyn W reach, honorary organiser of the Overseas Club, and his sister, Miss Wrench. To a press reporter they said they had been greatly impressed with this feature, but only in the case of the older generation. In England now the beard was most unusual, and also in Canada.

W’hile a young man named Nicholas Geaney was riding a motor cycle at Makikihi on uTesda.V last (says the Timaru Post), it took fire through a splash of petrol escaping fronv the tank getting on the exhaust pipe. 1 fie rider was slightly burned about the hands and legs w’hile putting the fire out. The fire ignited the grass and a gorse fence without doing much damage, except to the machine, which was practically destroyed.

The Public Trust Commission, which has been sitting in Wellington, has examined numerous witnesses, and has also spent some fhne in examining the methods of the Department. So far none of the witnesses has come from outside Wellington, but a number of witnesses from various parts of the dominion are expected to appear before the inquiry terminates. It is considered that there are good prospects of completing the inquiry within the time granted to the Commission (February 10th). It is understood that the Commission will adhere to its intention of restricting its sittings in Wellington. v

As well as in Stratford, the hundred and fifty-fourth anniversary of the birth of the poet Burns was celebrated in many places all over the world on Friday last, and not the least successful of these gatherings was the one held in Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South—the home, as it were, of Scotsmen in the dominion. An incident in connection with this meeting is worth recording. The national instrument of Scotland always appeals powerfully to Scotsmen, and when the Dunedin" Pipe Band played an open selection the audience became enthusiastic, one gentleman in the front remarking; “That’s the music you will hear when you get to Heaven.”