LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 60, 16 July 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Chamber of Commerce last night decided to endorse the action of tin Te Awamutu Chamber in reference to railway level crossings.

Information has been received in Inglewood that the Government engineer has been instructed to arrange for an exhibition of Mr De La mi ay’s

patent automatic danger signal for level railway crosings.

It is rumoured that a sawmilling firm has received permission to cut timber in the scenic reserve on the Whangamomona' Saddle. The bush is one of the few blocks of native bush left standing, and the Chamber of Commerce decided last night to protest to the Commissioner of Crown Lands on the matter.

Mr W. A. Hewitt last night drew the attention of the Chamber of Commerce to the proposal to construct locks in the Wanganui Eiver, the object being to secure the trade of the Taranaki hinterland. Members generally were of opinion that the scheme was far too expensive and that the Chamber need not bother about it.

To enable Territorial® and Cadets to drill more efficiently the Defence Department intend erecting four c five electric lights on the northern side of the local school grounds. The School Committee, on the application of Lieut. Jones (on behalf of the D< fence Department) granted permission to erect the lights to the satisfaction of the headmaster, the Department to bear the entire co<st.

The attendance at the local school during the last quarter has been very unsatisfactory. The headmaster reported that the average attendance was only 80 per cent of those on tin roll, whereas some of the schools in the district registered as high as 90 and 95 per cent. Colds, however, during June had hindered the attendance in the smaller classes, but there were some who attended very irregularly, and as a result the truant offi eer will be making himself known L some of the parents.

Among some fascinating articles for women in the July issue of “Everylady’s Journal” there are three of a personal character. These cover an interesting talk with Adeline Genee, the famous dancer, on dancing as an art, an amusing and original talk with Clara Butt and her husband about Australasian people and audiences, and a chat with Lindsay Bussell. the Australian girl who went to London and made rather a sensation with her volume “Smouldering Fires.”

At the monthly meeting of the executive committee of the Chamber oi Commerce held last night there were present: Messrs S. H. James (in thee hair), W. P. Kirkwood, R. Masters, W. A. Hewitt, P. Thomson, W. J. Munro, W. H. H. Young, W. L. Kennedy, E. Jackson and the secretary (Mr J. B. Richards). Mr J. McMillan apologised for absence. It was decided to,hold the annual meeting on August 12th. Mr F. W. Wake reported having represented the Chamber at the annual' meeting of the Auckland Railway League, which favored work being carried out on tie Stratford-Main Trunk line at both ends. Other matters dealt with at the meeting will be found in another part of this issue.

The visit of Ngaere farmers to the Moumahaki State Farm, which was to have taken place this week, lias been unavoidably postponed till Thursday, duly 21th.

The County Council Chairman (Mr W. Hathaway) at this morning’s meeting warned Councillors that it would l)o necessary to “go slow ’ in respect of expenditure. Accounts amounting to c.'SUOO or more would have to be passed for payment at the meeting, am! tins would bring the Council close up to its limit. There would be little 111 r.ni*\ (aiming iu until the New Tear, and it would he necessary ior the Bank to be interviewed to arrange finance.

The pupils of the Stratford District High School are having a “high old time.” just now, at least as far as sports are concerned. To-day the boys of the primary school meet Central, \ew Plymouth., at football in our town. To-morrow a hockey match will ho played here between the girls of the New Plymouth High School and the local schoolgirl “stickists,”

while the first fifteen of the Boys’ High School and the Stratford school meet on the football field in N'ew Ply-

mouth. On Saturday the second fifteens of the same schools play a match at Stratford.

The annual concert given by the local school children will be held this year on August 7th. Mr Tyrer (headmaster) in Ids report to the School Committee last evening said this was to prevent interference with the annual examinations. The report continued : “We have chosen this oc-

casion a little operetta called “Dame Durden’s School.” The childern have for some time been practising their ■songs and now acquit themselves really well. Miss King is taking charge of the music and singing and Mr Wilkie has been kind enough to give us his valuable assistance in teaching the children to play the parts allotted to them.

The Forestry Commission’s report expresses the opinion that, given cheap larifl, economical management, and the right kind of trees to plant, afforestation can l)e made a highly pro friable investment to the State. It also recommends that the Government acquire for preservation all steep banks of the Wanganui river not already preserved, and where the land is not suitable for settlement. It also recommends that the Government should acquire for the preservation of forest all the steep lands bordering on the Mokau river, and that certain Crown land in the Aria district be exchanged therefor.

The P/ime Minister (Mr Massey) has received a cable from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, stating that His Majesty the King learns with great satisfaction of the exemplary conduct of the men of the battleship New Zealand while in Dominion waters. His Majesty commands the expression of his deep interest in the people of New Zealand, of his appreciation of their generosity in presenting the New Zealand to the Navy for the defence of the Empire, and of the gratification that the manner in v Inch the gift is being utilised meets villi their approval. Press Association.

A correspondent writes to the Wanganui Herald: —Passengers on the down New Plymouth mail train were treated to a rather unusual sight on Saturday. From Waverley to Moraohaki the country was white with hail, and it did not take much imagination to think oneself travelling in the wilds ot Siberia or Canada. In some places along the railway line the hail was from eight inches to two feet deep. Apropos of this, is it not about time that our Bail way Minister gave us a little more comfort on this New Plymouth run. At present they allow two foot-warmers to each carriage. J his means that they have to be passed around and by .the time they have been used by one or two the original owner has cold feet again.

The balance-sheet to be presented at the annual ’meeting of tbe New Zealand Sports Protection League shows a cash credit of £153. The report indicates that the League is now well established, and dealing with the future work, remarks: —This is an age of organisation, and every class of Sport lias its controlling body. The purposes of the League, however, are not to interfere in any way with the internal management of any particular class of sport, but to form an executive representative of all classes of sport, capable of resisting undue attacks upon, and furthering the interests of legitimate sports. One of the principal planks of the organisation will be to protect the people’s rights in the way of recreation. The lack of sufficient playing areas is becoming a burning question right throughout the Dominion, and, with the probable early attainment of the Universal Saturday Half-holiday, the position will become even more acute. If the League’s only achievement in the future is to preserve recreation grounds from the cupidity of public bodies, and by united action to secure more playing areas, this will amply justify the League’s existence.

Th© report of the Stratford High School Committee meeting last nignt appears o i page ” °t’ tllls IMU0 > “Our Hinterland,” v.ruch was dealt with at the Chamber of Commerce meeting last night, and the Stratford Dairy Company’s annual report will tfe found on the seventh page.

At the Stratford Court this morning a mental defective was committed *o the Porirua Mental Hospital on the certificate of Drs. Steven and Bobertson, Messrs S. 13. Hunter and A. VV. 2»vid being the presiding Justices.

There were a fair number present at the social last night under the aus--4; pices of the Holy Trinity choir, and a very enjoyable time was spent, hi the euchre tournament the first prize wont to Miss Neilson, and the booby prize was annexed by Mr King. Miss King supplied excellent music foi the dancing, and Mr E. H. Kivell made an efficient M.C.

The ways in which roads are damaged seem to be numberless, and a rather novel one was mentioned at

the County meeting this morning, when Cr. Smith drew attention to the ■-• > fact that in the vicinity of Strathmore, settlers turned their pigs on the road. The pigs rooted right up to the metal, and did a great deal oi damage. Cr. Young endorsed Cr. Smith’s re-

marks, and it was decided to issue instructions to foremen to warn settlers shat if pigs were allowed on the roads prosecutions would follow.

The Education Board’s Truant Officer makes a semi-occasional raid on Stratford, and the Court on Friday will be ohieliy engaged in hearing twentythree charges of failing to send children to school.- Five undefended civil actions and an information for wilful damage will also be dealt with.

A special notification restricting

J Maoris and half-caste Maoris ."rcm * travelling on the Government Railways from any place situated within the Auckland, Wellington, and Hawxe's Bay Health District is published by Dr T. H. A. Valintine, Chief Health 1 Officer. ■

- In supporting n motion to acquire (land for a roadman’s cottage in Huiroa township, Cr. Were, at this morning’s meeting of the County Council, said it would be well to get land no*v, as later on it might cost a good deal. “Especially,” interjected another coun. cillor, “if they strike oil.”

“Stratford is not the most honest place in the world,” said Cr, Smith at the County meeting this morning, when asking the Engineer if the i";k1 roller shed was quite safe —he had heard that anybody so desiring could

crawl under the door and take as much • coal as he wished. The Engineer re- . plied that the door was now being made safe. Cr. Were said he had always thought Stratford people were very honest; but Cr. Smith retorted that at one time it had been found impossible to guarantee the safety of firewood stacked at the hospital.

At a meeting yesterday of the Boiler County Council, of which Mr W. 'E. Simpson (the Government appointee on the Westport Harbour Board) is a member, the following % resolution was carried unanimously: “That this Council deeply sympathises with Mr Simpson and his wife and family in having a conviction for breaches of the Licensing Act used against them in a manner it has been; and further, that this Council has no doubt of his honor, and that the general good conduct of Mr Simpson entitles him to the esteem in which he is generally held.” In thanking the Council for their remarks and the resolution, Mr Simpson said that he

was not so greatly concerned over affairs as they might suppose, as he was fully conscious of his own innocence in the whole matter. Ho had the esteem of the community in which he lived, and had no intention of resigning his position on the Harbour Board.