LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7, 13 May 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There is only one man on a school committee in the Clutha district; all the other members are women.

During the nine days H.M.S. New Zealand was open to visitors in Auckland she was visited by 94,136 persons. At Wellington the figures were 97,690, Napier 16,800, Gisborne 3500. At Capetown 55,740 visited the vessel and at Durban 59,700.

The Mayor stated at the meeting of the Borough Council last night that the month’s bad weather had been very severe on the electric light lamps, and the cost of renewals had been heavy. He mentioned that the new lamps would be protected with glass globes, and the breakages would thus be almost entirely done away with.

The Government has purchased for subdivision and closer settlement, the Hillesden estate, Marlborough, comprising 78,000 acres of freehold and 88,000 acres of Crown leasehold; also, Ardlusvsa Station, Southland, of 6450 acres freehold and 10,000 leasehold.— P.A.

A Press Association message from Wellington states that the Government raent has decided to present silver medals to the members of H.M.S. New Zealand’s company in commemoration of the visit, and also as a token of appreciation of their conduct. The medals will be struck in New Zealand.

The stock slaughtered at the Municipal abattoirs for the month of April was as follows:—Cows 62, heifers 33, oxen 3, calves 4, sheep 210, lambs 38, and pigs 48. Of eleven stock condemned, three cows were wholly condemned for tuberculosis, and one pig for sceptic pleurisy; and two cows, four heifers, and one pig were partially condemned.

The Christchurch City Council is initiating a scheme by which a fund of £IOOO may * be raised by ; the Boroughs of the Dominion in order to provide for all tifne shooting prizes for the men of Ti.lfLS. jNpw The Mayor of Christchurch’s letter, however, was stated by Councillors to be too vague, and the Stratford Council will write for more definite information.

Tlie Rev. Mr Bandy had a novel experience when ho came to Stratford. Speaking,at the anniversary social in connection with the : Presbyterian Church last evening, ho said he had beep tpld that Stratford was a very busy place. Well, h'e had reason to believe that, as among his first duties was the christening of four babies, and that before breakfast. And then he had four marriages following, so they would see that he had every reason for believing that it was a busy place.

The following new books have been added to the Stratford Public Library: —‘‘The Way of an Eagle,” E. M. Bell; “Monte Carlo,” H. Be Vere Stacpoole; “The Silence of Men,” H. f. Battersby ; “Aunt Olive in Bohemia,” Leslie Moore; “Priscilla,” Mrs George Wemyes;. “The Strolling Saint,” Rafael Sabatini; “The Mystery Woman,” Mrs Campbell Praed; “The Finger of Mr Blee,” Peter Blundell; “Malayan Monochromes,” Sir H. Clifford; “Hadow of ’Sbaws,” Then Douglas; “The Inner Flame,” Clara Burnham; “Maui,” W. B. Westervelt.

In u letter to the Borough Council, read at the meeting last night, Mr R. W. Baker stated that as all the film hirers in New Zealand had amalgamated, it was only possible to get films from one firm in the Dominion, and as Madame Bernard had the first offer from the amalgamated firms, and wisely had come to terms, he could not got films to show in the Stratford Town Hall as proposed some time ago. “A little later,” continued the writer, “I may be able to do somer thing, for I have heaid of a firm who, I think, will be hiring films in New Zealand within the next few months; if this firm starts with good pictures, I will approach your Council again for their hall.” The Council received the letter without comment.

His Lordship Bishop Crossley, in delivering his address in the Parish Hall last evening, assured his hearers that he was very glad to pay a visit to Stratford, not the least of his reasons being that “they have such good roads compared with those of some other districts lie had visited.” He remarked that ho was an authority on that subject, for apart from the fact that he had spent only three weeks of the present year in Auckland, he spent as much time on the roads and had as much knowledge of them as a commercial traveller. This, he said, was not to be wondered at when he had a ]) ioeese the size of Ireland. Despite his first statement, the Bishop confessed to looking forward with omething approaching trepidation to his proposed gig journey to Whangamomona to-day, for “though his faith was great enough to carry him there, he doubted whether it could also bring him hack,”

A Melbourne cablegram states that Bailey, on a b.p. motor cycle, covered 53i miles in an hour, lyhich is an Australian record.

On Saturday night Messrs. T. Coleman and F. Mackay were capsized out ol a gig on the Bird Road. The hamos brake, and the horse walked out of the harness, the upshot being the capsize and a badly smashed vehicle. The occupants escaped unhurt.

An old man, over sixty-live years, was before the Stratford Court tin's morning on charges of drunkenness and indecent exposure. Messrs. Jonas Masters and G. N. Curtis, J.P.’s, were on the Bench, and after hearing the statements of Sergeant McNeely and the evidence of Constable McGowan, u iio arrested the accused, the offender was convicted and discharged.

The second of the series of Foresteis dances was held last evening, the hall being again well filled, and a most enjoyable evening was spent by all. The music was supplied by Mrs Bianchi (piano), Mr Sam Parker (cornet), Mr Stan Parker (violin), extras being played by Mrs E. e! Hancock, Misses Hyndman and Kelly, and Mr A. Richardson. The catering was supplied by Mrs Brooking in first class style.

The free evangelistic mission announced in our advertising columns begins in St. Andrew’s schoolroom this evening at 7.30. Bright Gospel singing and brief addresses will be a feature of tlio mission, the latest Alexander hymns being used. The missioner (Rev. J. Pattison) has had a large experience in this work, having been for two years engaged in evangelistic work in connection with the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand.

The fi rs t general meeting of the new Borough Councillors last night was a record one in point of duration, the business being of a general nature. That the report of the proceedings in the future will occupy only a column of our space, as may be noted on page 2, need not be looked for very often, as from the preliminaries done last night, there seems no doubt that (to continue the sporting metaphor) the team all-round is a long-winded one, and includes one or two great stayers.

The Stratford Hospital and Charitable Aid Board is finding it very hard to get fuel for the Hospital. The secretary stated at the meeting of the Board to-day that ho was hopeful of getting a truck of State coal from W anganui, but wood was a more difficult problem, and the Hospitals supply was practically exhausted. Mr Newton King had offered the Board some dry pinus insignus, and the offer ' ' would bo gladly availed, of, failing ~,., some other arrangement! 1 - -' ; 'V 77 " J t „ ] , ,YT 3K.HJO Bishop, Cross Icy last night referred, in a humorous Vein, to the lack of travelling, facilities suffered by the Stratford vicar. Ho said' *he was siupiised that the people of Stratford parish, with their justly-deserved reputation for generosity, had not, at least, purchased the vicar a gig, for, without a vehicle, he was considerably h andicapped in his travels round , , the parish. He hoped that the next ‘." tune lie came to Stratford he woyld be met by the parish gig, and if so, he ' , would be very proud of it and the , part he took •in getting it.' He thought he would ho justified in that case in looking upon one wheel at least as his own particular property.

There was a full attendance of members at the meeting of the Stratford Hospital Board this morning. The Medical Superintendent reported that during April seventeen patients were admitted to the Hospital, nineteen dischaiged, so that thirteen remained at the end of the month. There were no deaths, and eleven operations were performed under anaesthtics. Nurse Belton took up her duties on the 11th of the preceding month. The Health Inspector’s report showed that one case of scarlet fever had been reported in the district, and his round of inspection in Strafford, Midhirst, Toko, and Whangamomona disclosed only minor nuisances. Mr C. D. Sole’s name was added to the visiting list in place of Mr Sidney Ward, resigned.

During his round of visits to the more remote parts of the diocese, Bishop Crossley is carrying on a very vigorous campaign on behalf of the Bible-in-Schools League. The League i« circulating small printed cards, which people who wish to help the movement are requested to sign. The objective of the League is stated on one side, viz., the system of religious instruction in State schools prevailing in Australia. This embraces the reading of lessons in school hours by the children themselves, from Scripture hooks provided by the Education Department; the State school teachers supervising the reading, but not giving sectarian or dogmatic teaching; visits during school hours by ministers or accredited teachers from Hie churches, instructing children in the faith of their fathers; and also the action of a conscience clause by which the parent has complete control of the child’s religious education in the public school. This system, it says, has existed in New South Wales since 18G6, in Tasmania since 1868, in Western Australia since .1906, and in Queensland since 1910. The declaration to he signed rune as follows:—”! am in favor of the system of religions instruction in State schools described on tlie other side, and request a referendum to be taken thcrer on.” Exactly fifty of . these cards were signed and handed to the Bishop last evening. For chronic chest complaints, Woods Great Peopermint Cure. Is 6d. 2s 6d. For influenza lake Woods’ Great Pep. penuiut Cure. Never fails Is 6d : 2s 6d

Th® benefit- in aid of the Stratronl Mountain House Road realised about £ls net.

The •Northants-Surroy cricket match was drawn. Surrey wanted fiftyeight runs to win, with fifby-fivo minifies to play and lost six wickets for twenty-one runs.

of those popular assemblies conducted by Mrs Bianchi in the Foresters-' Hall will take place on Wednesday, when the features which characterises these social evenings (goo; 1 " ■■"'r, music, and supper) will he maintained.

The Hokitika County Chairman has extended an invitation to the Australian Institute of Mining Engineers to hold the next conference at Hokitika, and suggesting January of next year on the occasion of tho jubilee of the "West Coast goldfields as being a suitable time for the visit.—P.A.

The Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand holds its annua! communication at Auckland to-morrow, proceedings lasting throughout tho week. Provincial Grand Master, T. C. Fookes left for Auckland on Saturday evenand to-night Messrs F. Cope-, sfcOTte, W.M., R. H. Hopkins, P.M., W. Morison (Ngaire) P.M., and J. McAllister also leave for the northern city to attend the Masonic gathering.