LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6, 8 September 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The monthly meeting of the Borough Council takes place this evening , , tv , ‘ m A 1 lines Sydney Sun cable states that the Grand Lodge of Freemasons voted three hundred guineas as a wedding gift to the Duke of Connaught. Sheep-dog trial enthusiasts will he interested to hear (states the Wanganui Herald) that news lias been received in Wanganui that Jimmy, the well-known dog belonging to Mr C. S. Day, of Paparangi, Kai Iwi, has competed successfully at his first appearance in Australia. He ran in the open event at the Great Federal Trials at Geelong, scoring the possible number of points, viz., 100, and beating King Billy, the winner of the championship j of Australia at the Sydney trials in July. Jimmy did not reach Australia in time to compete at Sydney. His performance in beating the champion dog is certainly a great one.

Air A. Sawyer,, who lias been in charge of the Mawson expedition's wireless station at Macquarie Island, mentioned a curious thing in connection with the visit of vessels to that lonely spot. “You cannot tell how upsetting it is after months of solitude to have a vessel call and to see strange faces. I’ve been through it and know. Those fellows won’t be able to oat or sleep normally for a week after the Tutanekai leaves. It also takes away all desire to smoke —practically makes one sick for a few days. While you are there the men may seem to have been all right, but a reaction sets in as soon as the vessel leaves, and they would have a bad time for a day or two until they settle down again into their stride.”

About twelve years ago the Paris Prefecture of Police had a pet, a tortoiseshellc at, named “Mon”. Poor lU'ou died in April, 1901, hut its memory is still kept fresh in a way for which the Prefect has every reason to be thankful. An allowance of £l4 10s per annum was made from the police treasury for Mou’s upkeep, and the entry figured in the books of the department. The entry still appears every year, and the Prefect still draws the allowance of £l4 10s, although • the vacant place left by Mou’s death has not been filled. Before the item could be struck out of the budget it would be necessary to have the cat’s death legally certified by a notary or by a State document, and as cats have no civil status, the difficulty is got over by continuing the allowance. .

Horses , and horse-racing, jockeys, trainers, and bookmakers. hv'ere 'thes subject of a novel suggestion made by Mr Lonsdale in the Now South Wales Legislative Assembly (says iiie Sydney Morning Herald). The matter under discussion was a motion favoring the institution of a State lottery. Mr Lonsdale’s views on gambling are most pronounced. His views on hOrse-racing are equally pronounced, and they have a spice of novelty' and originality. He is opposed to wiping out the sport, and even to wiping out what racing men call “crooks,” for the simple reason that he fielieves if they are given sufficient repo they will hang' tliemselves, and prevent turf speculation. When he reached the' climax of his argument he said : “I would not allow any jockey club to disqualify a horse-trainer or jockey. I would not even take action if a jockey turned his horse round and rode the other way.” The suggestion amused the House immensely.