LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 97, 1 May 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It is stated that of the 60,000 persons who die annually from tuberculosis in England, 11,000 are children, under 5 years of age. This works out roughly at about 244 infants per million of the population. In New Zealand the fraction is about 60 per million.

At a scout meeting held last night a small ceremony of an uncommon nature took place, when a presentation was made of a certificate awarded by the Dominion Chief Scout to a scout of the Stratford troop for saving life. It was decided by the Scouts that it was not advisable to advertise the good turn, so that the name of the scout is not being made public.

Commissioner D. Lamb, for some time head of the Salvation Army’s Emigration Department in England, and now International Foreign Secretary for New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, will visit the Dominion early in July, arriving at Auckland, via Vancouver. The Commissioner is on a tour of inspection, and will spend from July Ist to the 18th on Dominion soil, sailing from Wellington on the latter date.

The administrative ability of Sir Joseph Ward as a Postmaster-General was remembered by representative men who took part in the opening of the new post office at Ravensbourne. The Hon. 11. H. Rhodes, PostmasterGeneral, acknowledged the initiative work of Sir Joseph Ward in the establishment of wireless telegraphy, automatic telephones, and other progressive features of New Zealand’s postal and telegraphic service, while Mr G. M. Thomson, M.P., gave it, as his opinion that the ex-Prime Minister was really the most progressive Postmaster-General in the British Empire.

A very enjoyable time was spent at the Foresters’ Hall last night, when .Mrs Minnelli held the second of a series of fortnightly assemblies. There was a splendid gathering, and the Jloor was in tip-top order for dancing Several who were not in a dancing mood amused themselves at the card tables. Mnisc was supplied hy Mis Uianehi, assisted by Messrs A. Cam eron (violin) and S. Parker and Kelly (cornets). Extras were played hy Miss Kelly and Keppell, and Mr Richardson Messrs .1. Jones and 0. Tocker fulfilled the duties of M.C’s., and a tasty supper was provided by Mrs Brooking. The evening was br night to a close shortly after midnight. Warner’s Rust-proof Corsets. In the latest models, the bust is low and full. Flexible eorsetting above the waist is the result—the newest figure fashion. Perfect comfort with figure e.cganco. v

Informations are to be laid shortly (says the Christchurch Press) by the Department of Labour against many occupiers of shops and factories for failure to send in the annual returns and applications for registration required by tbo statute. Probably the largest school branch of the Navy League in the world is the one at Wellington College, which now numbers 331 members. The figures f are certainly a record for the Southcun Hemisphere. After a stoppage of nearly a month occasioned by the damage done by the recent Hood, clearing up and repaiii.ig operations have been carried out at the Matura Paper Mills (says the Ensign), and on Saturday morning the beaters .were working. The manager expected to have the whole mill in full swing again yesterday.

“ ’Tis an ill wind that blows nobody good,” is an old proverb which lias just been verified to the advantage of the Wellington Zoo. The silver jackal, one of the many pets on board HALS. New Zealand, had lately developed a humorous “habit of biting at the bare feet of the sailors as they got round about their morning duties on the decks. Good-na-tured as he is, Jack failed to appreciate the humour of tills new trick of a spoiled pot, with the result that the silver jackal repents at leisure in the seclusion of the Wellington Zoo.

Nearly five hundred people, 4 83 to be precise, who visited Newton Park on Sunday, suggested names for the two lion cubs in the Zoo (states the Times). The papers have been scrutinised at the Town Hall, and it has been ascertained that the names most generally favoured were those which have already been informally bestowed upon the little animals, that is, “George’ ’and “Maud.’*’ Ninety-seven people suggested “George” as the name of the male cub, and fifty-two though “Maud” would suit best for his small sister. Twenty-seven suggested “Mary” as the name for the female cub. Other folk fancied wellknown pairs of names, such as “Darby and Joan,’ ’“Jack and Jill,” “Adam and Eve.” The final selection has now to be made.

Threshing operations have been conclvnded at the Moumahaki State Farm, and on Friday Mr Lonsdale, manager, worked out the returns, The yield from cereals and legumes were found to he highly remunerative, and proved what can he accomplished under good management. Oats, yielded 1 up to 75 bushels to the acre, barley 80 bushels, wheat 45 bushels, linseed 32 bushels, peas 60 bushels, and vetches 25 bushels. Tobaccy was also grown on the farm, with considerably , success, an eighth of an acre cropping well. The tobacco leaf is cut up very line, and, used as a tonic for sheep, cattle, and horses, is.found to bo most effective.

An excellent definition of the absence of hope or the minimum of chance was given in the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington on Friday, during the hearing of the case of Hansen v; the Federated Seamen’s Union of Australasia. Mr A. Blair, who appeared for Hansen, made some remark respecting the chances of the decision of the Court going in a certain direction. Mr O’Regan (counsel for the union): I suppose you think I have “but a chance.” Mr Blair (laughing): No, I think you have about the same chance as a celluloid dog would have chasing an asbestos cat through Hades.

“I didn’t keep the shop open, your Worship. The door was just open a few inches for the fresh air, and a man came in, so I sold him just a shilling’s worth of tobacco.” So stated Isaac Morris, charged at Wellington with keeping his shop open on Sunday. “The evidence will disclose that Sunday is this man’s best, business day,” said Inspector Hendrey. “I do not want to hear any evidence,” rejoined the Magistrate (Mr Riddell). “He has admitted that ho sold tobacco.” “But, my dear sir—l mean your worship—l did not keep my shop open, it was just like this and the man pushed in.” “Twenty shillings, in default three days,” said his Worship. “Three days in gaol?” “Yes.” And Isaac Morris- went away protesting audibly.

A business man who recently returned from a trip south (states the’ Timaru Post) recounts a rather amusing tale, resultant upon the disastrous floods at Gore. A drapery firm at that town, which has a branch at Invercargill, removed its damaged goods to tho latter town for sale by auction. Among the persons desirous of possessing some of the soiled goods was an elderly lady wearing a largo cape, and evidently possessing shoplifting proclivities. One of the firm’s employees, possesesd of a sense of humour, noticed the lady in question covetously eyeing a piece of cloth in a roll. He continued to watch her, and, the while wearing a benign, almost angelic countenance, she attempted to slip the roll of cloth beneath her cape, but it fell hack to the floor. In the crush she was not noticed, and proceeded to unwind the rloth and place is beneath her cape. When she had come to the end tho shopman calmly seized the hoard and wound the cloth on again. It took him some time to do it, and during the process, judging hy the laughter, his joke was considered a good one.

A meeting is railed for Monday in the Toko Coronation Hall with the object of forming a Settlers’ Association.

The Duchess of Connaught passed a fair night. The doctors have had an anxious time for a few days, states a London cablegram.

Thanks chiefly to the very energetic work of Messrs J. B. Richards and E. \%fackson, tickets for the Picture Benefit Entertainment, given by Madame Bernard in aid of the Stratford Mountain House, arc selling freely.

Two thousand odd sheep were conveyed through Stratford yesterday by train, en route for the Waitara Freezing Works. The consignment, which is one of the biggest this season came from Waverley district.

Concerning Pelorus Jack, it is in- • teresting to learn, says the Picton Press, that, the report to the contrary, the famous fish has been seen within the last few months—not in his usual circle near the French Pass, but in Admiralty Bay.

The shooting season opens to-day, and guns are everywhere in evidence. Pheasants are reported to be plentiful in the backblocks, ivhile quail are also fairly numerous. Licenses are selling freely, and there will probably be more taken out than in previous years.

The estimated cost of the new Taranaki Hospital is £33,000. ' Of thib the Government will provide £16,000 and the following amounts are to he required" from local bodies: —Taranaki County, £5344; New Plymouth Borough, £4079; Egmonfc County, £3620; Clifton County, £2557; Waitara Borough, £507; Inglewood Borough. £393.

Hockey players will he pleased to learn that an effort is being made to revive this winter game in Stratford, and a meeting for this purpose is being held in Messrs C. and E. Jackson’s office to-morrow evening. It is essential that there should he a big attendance, and all followers of the game would do well to communicate with the acting-secretary, Mr Duncan Everiss, in case they should not be able to attend the meeting.

It is not related that “Excelsior” wqs recited on the top of Mount Egmonf yesterday morning, but no doubt the iwo' Christchurch residents who accomplished the feat by 11 o’clock felt a certain amount of pride in having successfully conquered the grim monster so late in the season. Beyond Wirier injuries sustained in a fall by on ! e of the climbers, the ascent was uns'ensritional. In the excitement attendant oil ’ the 1 journey a pair 'of new boots was left behind at the Monnthin House.

Members of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society rolled up in full force last evening, when a meeting was held to further consider the arrangements for the annual social and dance,,. Owing to the visit of the Dreadnought and the Palmerston Show it thought advisable to alter the date of the function to June 26th. The price, of tickets has been fixed at ds and 2s Gd, and a notice of motion, has been given to rescind a previous motion to call for tenders for the catering. The engagement of artists has been left in the hands of the committee.

Yesterday afternon, at Hawcra, Mr and Mrs Felix McGuire were entertained at a farewell gathering of citizens and settlers, the Mayor of Hawera, Mr A. W. Gillies, presiding. Several presentations were made, Mr McGuire receiving a handsome illuminated address, and Mrs MaGuire a solid table centre-piece. Other members of the family also received presentations. Mr MaGuire has had a long and interesting career, and for many years took a prominent part in the affairs of Taranaki. He was present at the Mauku Stockade engagement in 1863 and at Te Ranga in 1864, and wears the New Zealand war medal. In 1872 he was a member of tho Taranaki Provincial Council, and was the first Mayor of Hawera. When the late Sir Harry Atkinson was ap pointed Speaker of the House, Mi MaGuire was elected to the Egmont seat, which he held for six years. Later, when the district was mergex into tho Hawera seat, he again sat in Parliament until displaced by Mr C. E. Major. Mr MaGuire and family are about to setle in tAuckland.