LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 82, 14 April 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Land and Income-tax Department gives notice that returns of land must be furnished not later than Ist May.

Tenders are being called by the Public Works Department for the erection of Whangamomona station buildings. Tenders are to be in by April 30, 1913.

One of the attractive new signs in the New York street cars of a new brand of tea is a parody on a popular old saying. There is a picture of a pretty girl pouring this particular tea, and the inscription: “It always reigns when it’s poured.”

In connection with tho visit of the iI.M.S. New Zealand to these waters, the railway department are advertising cheap fares available from New Plymouth and intermediate stations to Wellington from 14th to 23rd April. The tickets do not provide of a break being made in the journey.

Henry Lionel Hughes Steele, medical practitioner, of Palmerston North, was charged last week with driving his motor-car excessively and negligently. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given that the car was travelling at from thirty-five to forty miles an hour. The doctor, in evidence, denied travelling at a rapid rate, and maintained his car could not possibly travel thirty-five miles an hour—-it was rated to fourteen miles, lie admitted that he had been pro- i vionsly fined for. driving at an excessive speed. Defendant was fined £3 j and costs, a total of £5 ss. The first batch of Taranaki Territorials for the Oringi Camp was despatched by special train at 7.48 o’clock this morning. These were t’ae men who are putting in four extra days in camp in order to become

“efficient.” The Stratford district sent 46 men, including two men from the Ambulance section. LieutenantColonel Malone, Major Carbery, Lieutenants Urquhart and Munro were among the oflicers who travelled by this train. Captain Lampen, Adjutant of the 11th' Regiment, was in command of the advance part which left for Oringi on Saturday to make preparations for the reception of the first instalment of Territorials.

A man masquerading in a woman’s dress is usually suspected of motives not altogether innocent; but in a case vouched for by the Matin a gentleman bas adopted feminine attire purely tor hygienic reasons, and has, moreover, no intention of abandoning it. The sf range situation lias been explained to the Matin by the wife of the man in question. She states that her husband has suffered from long-

standing lung trouble. For many years he had not been able to venture out in the evenings or in cold weather. At last, following the counsel of his wife, he tried to accustom himself to the wearing of stays and skirts and furs. Finally he shaved off Ins moustache. Now, with his hands tucked cosily in his muff, he goes out in all weathers. “Never,” says the lady in conclusion, “has my husband taken a cold since he adopted his new style of dress, and his lungs seem to be quite sound.”

That Americans are “just tickled to death” with the new parcel post system is proved by the extraordinary consignments with which the postmasters are being called upon to deal. Freed from the clutches of the Express Trust, the people are entrusting “Uncle Sam” with all sorts of things, from babies to white mice and hot pies. The first baby to be sent through the parcel post was the infant son of Mr and Mrs Jesse Beagle, who from their home at Batavier, Ohio, mailed the child to his grandmother, living about a mile away. The “parcel” only weighed lOflh —just within the lllh weight limit—and when well wrapped up and safely “packed” was only 71 in in circumference,or again just within the 72in limit. The postage was 7ld, and the parcel, which arrived safely, was insured for £lO. At Lehanan, Peusylvannia, the postmaster, had to accpt a hot chicken pic. packed in a glass jar, and ivoteeD'd by sawdust in a box. The pie was addressed to Fredericksburg. and was delivered in less than three hours, sti” hot enough to ho enjoyed by the .‘CI pient. Ladies! Warner's Corsets are comfortable—guaranteed so—they shape ■’ashiouahly. The bones cannot rust or can the fabric tear. Order Local drapers.

The Northern Mail, hitherto published as an evening paper in Whangarei, has ceased publication. The Mail now becomes incorporated in the Northern Advocate.

In a case under the Defence Act, at Christchurch, Mr Bailey, 3.M., held that failure to take the oath was a continuing offence. A military officer stated that he had obtained an opinion to that effect from the Crown Law Office.

Writing to a friend in Stratford a well known resident of Auckland s. v s: “Half the workrooms have been clKed down in Auckland, and many otfr rs have had to put off half their hands. Business is at a standstill, because it is said the people are saving for the Exhibition.”

The loss caused by the Hoods in the State of Ohio was greater than that which, resulted from the San Francisco earthquake. In the latter place the losses were put down at £60,000,000, while the Governor of Ohio estimated the damage in his State at £70,000,000.

“Under the Flag,” said Mr G. J

Garland, chairman of the Auckland Education Board on Friday, in his ad- ■* dress to the scholars, when unfurling flags at two schools in the Papakura Valley, “we have protection for our hearths and hohies. Our wives, our sisters, and our little ones are all safe under the Union Jack. It

protects our shipping and commerce. The Flag does not bid defiance, but stands for defence. It is the scourge of evildoers, but the honour of those who do well. It gives us freedom of action, freedom of conscience, freedom of speech and of the press-free-dom, but not folly.”

A tug-of-war between the Hawera Fire Brigade and the telegraph linesmen took place in the Winter Show buildings on Friday night, before a good gathering of spectators. In the first pull, lasting five minutes, the linesmen had an advantage of two feet over the centre, but the next pull went to the fire brigade after a two-and-a half minutes’ “tug.” The final pull, which occupied three minutes, was a willing go, and was won by the linesmen. A collection was taken up in aid of the brigade funds, and 12s 3d was subscribed. The Star says that another contest is being arranged.

A resident of Berescourt had an unpleasant experience recently (says a correspondent of the New Zealand Herald). During the whole of that day she and her family were afraid to venture outside the house owing to a hail of bullets, which either whizzed close past the house or dropped in the immediate vicinity. One fell within a few feet of a child, and it proved 1 to be of the ordinary .303 variety. 1 .Some'fifty missiles in all flitted' along. No sound of rifle firing could be heard-, so it is evident that the bullets hadi'travelled: a good distance. They apparently cdme from the east side of the river. An attempt to elucidate the mystery is being made.

No danger I Dr. C. de Witt Henry, a New York dentist, states that champagne, if taken regularly, destroys the teeth. Well, the experience of a Taranaki resident who paid a visit to New Plymouth the other day is worth Quoting in this connection. The incident occurred in a local centre of conviviality. “It’ll be the last bottle of ‘fizz” they’ll get out of me,” he said, “they charged m© nine and six for a small (pint) bottle. And what did you pay for the large (quart) one?” he asked his companion of the genial countenance. “Oh, I got two bob back out of a quid,” was the nonchalant reply. “Gee Whizz! No more for© me,” said the first speaker. “Give us a plain whisky all round, Miss M , please.”

Two bee-farmers and a Wyndham pressman were exchanging views on flood topics on Wednesday. “No bees will be left on the flat lands about here,” remarked the newspaper man. “You’d wonder |iow tenacious of life the bee is,’ ’observed one of the bee men, who was no other than Mr Jas. Allan, the dozen of district apiarists, in reply, “1 had an outlying apiary of fifty hives on a farm at Mataura Island Which was completely submerged by the flood. Every one of these fifty hives was fully covered with water for several hours. On my visiting the scene after the watei s had subsided somewhat, judge of my astonishment to find eighteen colonies more or less alive, from which I hope to secure at least a dozen strong colonies. I first of all noticed some of the bees in a state of eemi-collapse; but after getting sorted out and a touch of the sun, they began to move their wings, and were soon very much alive.” MEN’S WINTER WhAKMBLES. At the Melbourne, Ltd.

With the passing of Easter, one’s thoughts naturally turn to consideration of cold weather requirements. Men’s clothing winter needs are specially catered for at the Melbourne, as the following items will testify. Men’s merino shirts and pants Is lid, 2s 6d and 2s lid. Natural shirts and pants 3s 6d, 3s lid, 4s lid. Men’s fleecy singlets and pants, American make, 2s lid. Men’s knitted pants Colonial make 4s 6d pair, grand value. Men’s splendid quality all wool Crimean shirts 6s lid. Special value, men’s knitted socks 3 pairs for 2s 6d. Men’s warm Roslyn all wool socks black or plaip grey Is pair. Men’s warm saddle .tweed suits 39s 6d. Men’s heavy saddle trousers 8s 6d. Famous Oamaru saddle Wousers 13s 6d. New Hydrotite overcoats 37s 6d. Men’s superior rain-coats 39s 6d, very dressy. Men’s riding oilskins 12s 9d. Men’s new oiled canvas coats, guaranteed waterproof 37s 6d. Hundreds '■f good value?. v

Last night’s gale played havoc with the telegraphic wires, communication being interrupted between Han ora and Wanganui. Consequently little telegraphic news has come to hand.

The Boy Scouts are giving a concert shortly, illustrative of the various branches of scout work. The troop is showing,an active interest in the ambulance lectures, and the first lecture was very well attended.

With customary generosity, Madame Bernard, of His Majesty’s Theatre, is determined that every child in Stratford shall have an opportunity of seeing the pictorial pantomime, “Cinderella,” and with this end in view is giving, on Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock sharp, a matinee, to which all children under twelve will be admitted free.

It would appear from the published report of southern ratepayers on Friday night that the meeting was anxious that only Councillors Dingle and Healy should again stand for election to the Council. It should be stated that other councillors, viz., Crs Lawson and Morison, had previously given their consent to nomination, and it was with this inner knowledge that the chairman (Mr Brooking) made, his remarks at the meeting.

Tho position with regard to the proposed Taranaki Court at tho Auckland Exhibition is timt tho circular sent out by Mr J. B. Richards has not yet been replied to by all the local bodies, and until the list is completed nothing further can ho done. ? Replies to hand so far, indicate that the Boroughs are agreeable to the scheme, but the Counties, with the exception of the Taranaki County Council, cannot see their way to voting the ratepayers’ money for this purpose.

A discreditable feature of the flood situation in Peru, Indiana, was the extortionate charges made by boatmen for rescuing marooned victims. In many cases as much as £1 was demanded from each person rescued. In one of the Dayton churches, that ol the United Brethren, the bodies were found of no fewer than 200 persons who had sought refuge there. A grim incident was witnessed during the rescue operations. A boat, while being rowed along one of the streets, passed a flooded house, the uppei part of which was in flames. The occupant of the building hailed the boatman, and forced him, at the poirit of a revolver, to come alongside and take off his wife and her newly-born baby.

The officer in charge of the police at the Sydney Central Station was considerably surprised to And, one day lately, on opening an envelope addressed to the station, a letter con--1 . . 7 veying the information that the police there were “all doomed.” The envelope was addressed in an illiterate, scrawling hand, and contained an ordinary sheet of note paper, on which the terrifying statements were, On one side was written “Yon are all doomed in three months. If this ap pears in the paper you will be wiped out in three weeks.” The other’side had on it, “Beware. You are all doomed ‘in the station. The Black Hand Society has swprn it.” The document was illustrated with a black hand, a heart, several daggers, and other things suggestive of blood and sudden death. No air of expectant tragedy hung over the station, as might have been expected, and the police there seemed totally devoid of any fear. There was a good deal of speculation as to what the motive of the sender could be, and it is probable that the letter will be placed in the police museum at headquarters.

The New York Board of Education have had a very weighty problem before them for decision lately, and one which has been prominently discussed by all the city dailies. It was caused by the application of a married woman who holds the position of director of physical culture in one of the leading high schools, for a year’s absence to “bear and rear a child.” That was the wording of the application, and immediately upon its being filed a couple of weeks ago, the newspapers set to work to publish opinions pro and con. The lady’s salary ■ had been 2500 dollars (£500) per annum, and she is the wife of a teacher in the same school whose salary is 2650 dollars a year. When the matter came up in the Board it was not given much discussion, but, much to the delight of the “old fogies,” was speedily called to a vote, and the application decided against by 32 to 5. The 'Auckland Star correspondent says there is nothing in the school regulations to prevent a married woman from continuing as teacher, but the Board held that it would not do t ©establish a precedent of a year’s vacation, whether with or without pay, regardless of the object ol the applicant. Mention was made in a Wellington paper a few days ago of a telegram transmitted by the Telegraph Office on April Ist, which read: “Pay lor this, you April fool.” The person who received the message made complaint, and when the matter was brought before the notice of the Secretary to the Post and Telegraph Department (Mr W. B. Morris) he stated that the sending of such a message was not contrary to the regulations governing the transmission of telegrams. A further reference to the subject uas made by the Hon. R. H. Rhodes (L ost-master-General). In reply to a question addressed to him by a reporter, Mr Rhodes said that if such messages became a nuisance something would have to be done to stop them, but that the case reported was an isolated one. The Postmaster-General pointed out that the receiver of an unsigned telegram could always under the regulations get the full signature of the sender by making application to the 1 Department, and paying for the transmission of the necessary telegrams.