LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 36, 11 February 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

“The east of crushing metal, under the supervision of the overseer, is exceedingly satisfactory,” remarked the M ayor at the Council’s meeting last night. The fee to Mr Dailey, the eminent Australian marine engineer, for accompanying the dominion’s engineer-in-chief to Greymonth and reporting on the practicability of a deep water harbour, will bo 150 guineas. The marked expansion of telegraph business throughout the Dominion is causing a shortage of telegraph operators. To cope with the difficulty, the Department is re-opening the “learners’ school” in Oamaru, and also instituting another at Wellington. Master C. H. llcnnie, of the Stratford staff, is under orders for the latter city, and leaves for “school” on Monday next.

The Court list for Friday’s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court includes thirty-one civil cases, two defended, three judgment summonses, one application to take evidence, three breaches of the Borough by-laws, and one information for failing to attend drill.

Henry Ellis, with six previous convictions to hie discredit, was this morning charged at the Court with having used throating behaviour with the intent to provoke a breach of the peace, and was convicted and lined £5, in default one month. Messrs A. W. Reid, and S. B. Hunter, J.P.’s, were on the Bench. Among the subscriptions received and acknowledged by Mrs Godley towards the prize fund for trophies for the Senior Cadets in shooting competitions, stands the sum of £5 15s from Mrs Crawshaw, secretary of the Stratford committee.

At an -extraordinary general meeting of shareholders in the Ngaire Cooprative Dairy Factory, Co.,Ltd.there, being a good attendance, the motion to increase the share capital by the issue of 5000 more £1 shares was decisively defeated. The proposal to erect new buildings consequently falls to the ground.

“If the average age of the fifteen beats is 63 years, what was the ago of the oldest beast?” was the conundrum asked a reporter last night by a borough councillor, who was* studying closely the age and number of animals slaughtered at the abattoirs for local butchers. The answer to the conundrum may well be left to those who got their teeth wedged in a portion of tho carcase of that ancient animal

From general conversation with the farming community of this district we gather that the Taranaki Agricultural Society’s Show which is to he held on February 26th and 27th, will be a record for Taranaki, if not for the North Island, as a great number of local breeders and fanciers are forwarding entries for the numerous classes scheduled. The entries for the show close on February the 15th (Saturday next), and those who are intending to enter for competition should do so at once, and also apply to the secretary (Mr Arthur Cliff) to book accommodation for them while in New Plymouth.

“They’re hung from the landing stage at the back of the Town Hall until they are dead.” Thus his Worship described at the Council’s meeting last night the process under' which unregistered dogs in Stratford were hastened out of this world. It seems that more tragedies have been enacted just outside the Town Hall than “on the hoards” of our spacious theatre. Mr Kirkwood stated that he had put a stop to the suspension method, and was of the opinion that “a little prussic acid” would be more expeditious and more humane.

“The Workers’ Work in the World” is to be the subject of the address at the open-air service in, Victoria Park on Good Friday at 3 p.m. under the auspices of the C.E.M.S. Members of the different public bodies and friendly societies are to be invited to attend and form a procession. The invitation to the Borough Council, submitted at last night’s meeting, was accepted and the matter of attending was left to individual members, Cr King in moving the motion remarking that no doubt all the Council would not be at home at the time.

January traffic at the Stratford railway station is shown by the following figures supplied by the stationmaster (Mr J. B. Campbell), last year’s figures for the same period being given first; Passengers, 7472 (7460); parcels, 343 (387); dogs, 37 (42); cattle and calves, 325 (501); sheep, 146 (3262); pigs, 464 (616); total tonnage, 771 (764). The revenue was £1296 8s 4d, and £1223 Os 6d, respectively. Inward traffic showed: Parcels, 571 (334); dogs, 50 (33) ; cattle, and calves, 489 (204); sheep 616 (842; pigs, 51 (8); tonnage, 1207 (909). The revenue was £865 11s lOd, and £767 17s Id respectively.

A practical man himself, Cr Dingle has a keen eye to detail, and last night at the Monthly meeting of the Council he criticised the methods employed by the Council in dumping crushed metal and shingle on uneven ground, thereby giving the men unnecessary work with their shovels. The councillor said in one case the matter was an absolute disgrace to any public body, and was costing the Borough pounds of money. The Borough Overseer, while of the opinion that Cr Dingle had slightly exaggeratfed his case, admitted that the shingle had been placed on uneven ground. No .even ground had been available, and he had hoped to have had a proper dumping place prepared.

Reports on municipal matters of interest, as referred to at the Council meeting last evening, appear on pages 2 and 3 of this issue. “You’ve been dairying a long time and you should know the value of your skim milk,” said Mr Dingle, chairman of the Stratford Dairy Comto a farmer who was trying to ascertain the real difference in the figures Uijd butter-fat from the dairy factories* -nd 12jfd butter-fat from the cheese fairies.

,At the Oddfellows’ euchre party last night Mr Houlden won the gentlemen’s prize and Mr Eichstaed was second; and Mrs Lawson was successful in the ladies’ competition with Miss Neilson second. Miss Sole secured the booby prize. Another euchre party and dance will be held in a fortnight.

The N.G., on behalf of the members at the conclusion of the business meeting of the Loyal Stratford Lodge of Oddfellows last night, presented Miss Ida Sole with a handsome silver tea-pot suitably engraved. Miss Sole has been a member since the ledge included females as members. Bro. Sole suitably replied on behalf of Sole, and afterwards a very enjoyable progresive euchre party and dance Was held.

“Out of the frying-pan into the fire” would aptly describe an experience which befel two firemen belonging to the Westmeath (says an Auckland correspondent). fmst Monday the two men went by train, to Otahuhu. There an orchard suggested itself as an ideal retreat wherein 'to likle until the departure of their steamer. It so happened that the orchard belonged to the local constable, who presentlj discovered the intruders. He promptly informed them that if they would say to what boat they belonged he would try to lighten their lot, but if not they would, find themselves charged with being , illegally on the premises. The then confessed that (they belonged to the Westmeath.

ffche agent of thp vessel was informed of the whereabouts of the firemen, and they were brought to Auckland and on board.

Farmers, before buying your pocket knife ask to see our Lead Line at 2s, guaranteed; others 6d, 9d, Is 6d, 2s, to6s6d. Charles E. James s