LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 73, 3 April 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tlio .March rainfall was 5.72 inches just about the average. The report of the banquet proceedings in the Town Hall last night commences on page 2. The annual meeting of the Stratford Football Club will be held in the Municipal Chambers on Monday evening. As the result of the Catholic bazaar at Inglewood last week, the church, funds will benefit to the extent ot about £l5O. A successful merchant writes: T hat business which is a success in a small way without advertising, will be a big success with advertising. And by advertising, the time required to build the success will be infinitely shorter. The Primitive Methodists held a “wash-up” meeting on Monday night, when the accounts of the church were closed. A surplus of £l4 or £ls will be handed over to the funds of the United Church. Other business done was the passing of votes of thanks to all the officers of the church.

A busy day was experienced in Gore yesterday in restoring things to their accustomed conditions after the flood. The supply of water for the town has been met by the operation of the local steam fire engine at the electric pumping station. It is estimated that the supply will soon be equal to the demand. The river is only 2-J- feet above its normal level.

During tlie Ministerial visit to Stratford Mr Percy Thomson took the opportunity of waiting on the Hon. Mr Fraser to seek permission for the Beautifying Society to plant the river bank between the railway and Broadway bridges, being part of a Public Works reserve. After inspecting the locality the Minister stated the Department’s permission would be given, and lie would write the society to that effect from Wellington.

The Premier, and the Stratford party which accompanied him, this morning stayed for a little time at the Mangatoki School, when en route from Stratford to Eltham, to enable Mr Massey to say a few words to the young people, and at the request of the Headmaster, the -Premier planted a veronica tree at"the foot of the flagstaff in commemoration of his recent pleasant visit'to the district.

As an indication of what useful work a man may'dd, even though he has the misfortune to lose his eyesight, the industry of Mr Tom Roberts, o£ Stratford, may be cited. Recently lie sent sixty dozen rope halters, made by'diimself, to the N. Z. L. and M. Agency, Hawera Branch. They contain no less than 1 mile 387 yards of rope. Since he learned to do this work, Mr -Roberts has made about a thousand dozen rope halters, and in addition/a large quantity of clothes baskets/ picnic baskets, and child’s prams.’ Mr Roberts deserves support.

Sa.vsr.-a Press Association message from Auckland :—Some enthusiastic Melanesian mission workers have been endeavouring to acquire experience in the working of motor launches in connection with their work,at the islands at the local engineering shops, but had been refused on the ground that preference to unionists does not permit their admission among union workers. The Melanesian Mission was recently presented with three motor boats by supporters in Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and a fourth is to be given by friends in Auckland.

At the very moment Captain Amundsen was telling for the first time in public the story of how he reached the South Pole, Captain Scott was dying in his frozen tent. From this point Mr Carlyle Smythe begins a most interesting contribution to the literature of the Polar tragedy in the April issue of “Life,” just to hand. Mr Smythe’s article is in part an interview with Captain Amundsen, and he shows that, long before any news of the death of Scott and his companions reached the public, Amundsen predicted the tragedy. The reasons for Ins forecast are set out with clearness and detail, and the effect of the article is to heighten the reader’s admiration for the man who found the South Pole without in any way lessening his respect for the herdtes who lost their lives in the fruitless attempt.

The second anniversary of the United Methodist Church, Stanley Road, was celebrated on Tuesday evening, when a big social was held. The gathering | also served as a farewell to the Rev. Mr 13. Metson, who leaves to-day for his new duties at Christchurch. The attendance was a record, there being well over a hundred people present, including many visitors from Stratford. lea and supper were provided by the ladies, and both were very much enjoyed. The musical programme was a lengthy one, among the items being songs from .Miss Savage, and Miss Ella Sangster, the last named singing “Killaruey” by special request. Mr A. Sangster gave a bagpipe selection, and solos were rendered by Stratford choristers and Stanley Road friends. The prncipal event .of the evening was the presentationiof a handsome silver tea service to the Rev. Mr Metson and Mrs Metson, Mr R. Wellington making the presentation. lloth Mr Wellington and Mr Fenwick, as well as the Rev. Mer Reader, paid a splendid tribut to Mr Metson’s many sterling qualities. Mr Metson suitably replied.

| Leaving Stratford by motor car this i morning, the Premier and the Hon. I W. Fraser are spending the day tourj ing the Waimalo Plains. They were | warmly welcomed at Manga told, Ka- | ponga, and Kapuni, and entertained i at luncheon at Manaia. i j For children’s hacking cough at j night Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure, ! Ts 6d, 2s Gd. ; Silver Goods for Wedding Presents We have the largest variety in town. All British manufacture. Charles E. James. Broad wav. x