LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 27, 2 October 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Several local fishermen were out again to-day whipping the streams in the neighbourhod. No further sensational'catches have yet been reported, but it is stated that all the fish caught, have been in excellent condition. It is mentioned as an indicaton that good sport can be looked tor that the creepers in the streams are big and fat.

Yesterday the second Main Trunk express resumed running between Wellington and Auckland, and will continue in the service during the summer. The extra up express leaves Wellington at 9.10 p.m., while the down trains will arrive there at 6.50 a.m.

Nothing further is yet known regarding' the whereabouts or move-

ments of Mr F. M. Marlow, excep that the Clerk of the Court states that the missing man did not visit the Mt. Egmont quarries, but is supposed to have gone to Hawera by motor car. proceeding thence southward by train.

The St. Andrew’s Tennis Club held their annual meeting on Tuesday night. The following officers were elected; —President, Mr W. M. Brayshaw; treasurer and secretary, Mr W. Douglas; captain, Mr A. Patrick; general committee, Messrs Chadwick, X. Templer, captain and secretary; ladies’ committee, Misses A. Petrie, M. Reid, E. Brayshaw, and M. Irvine. It was decided to open the season on October 16th.

Thirty-two applications were received for the position of harbormaster at Gisborne (states a Press Association telegram). The Board narrowed the choice to two: Captain Gillman, of the setamer Matutua, and Captain Benton, of the Ihumata, and is awaiting a reply from the former at Adelaide as to whether he can take the appointment forthwith

The deceased persons estates certified for stamp duty in September include:—Taranaki; Robert Baker £2897, George Millor Moir £2321, Jam Dew £2251, Edward Harris Marsh £2l-17, Mercy Milita De Launay £1783. The largest estates certified were Georgina J. G, Tancred £61,061, and F. De C. Malet £40,589, both of Canterburv.

Concerning the reported discovery near Cape Horn of wreckage, the “Lyttelton Times” says:—Should this strange talo of the sea and shipwreck he correct, it would seem to solve the mystery'- of tls disappearance of the Shaw-Savill ship Marlborough, commanded by Captain Hird, which sailed from Lyttelton for London on January 11, 1890, and was never heard of again. The ship Dunedin, a sister ship to the Marlborough, also mysteriously vanished on a similar voyage, carrying Xew Zealand frozen meat to London, something over 20 years ago. The general opinion was that both struck icebergs. The Marlborough was an iron ship of 1124 tons. She carried one passenger, Sirs Anderson. The Dunedin was the ship which carried the first cargo of frozen meat from Xew Zealand to London. This was from Dunedin 30 years ago. She was commanded by Captain Roberts.

The ratepayers’ poll at Feilding yesterday. on a proposal to borrow £lO,000 for electric light and power was carried by a six to one majority. At the Court this morning William Harclaud, a second offender, was fined 10s for drunkenness. Mr S. B. Hunter, ;J. 15.,I 5 ., was on the bench. During September the total rainfall in Stratford was 0.42 in., there being sixteen -wet days. The heaviest fall was on the 6th, when 1.66 in. was registered, other considerable falls being: Ist .Min., 6th .32in., 10th .34in., Hth .37in., 21st .39in., 28th 32in., "20 th .94in.

The oldest active player of howls in New Zealand is (says the New Zealand Herald) probably Mr Thomas Wyllie, of Bapatoetoe, who is 97 years of age. A howling club was formed in Papatoetoe last year, and Mr Wylie has paid his subscription for the season.

The export of gold from the Dominion for the past nine months was 287,922 ozs., valued at £1,129,382, or 8539 ounces valued at £34,115 more than during the corresponding period of last year. The export of silver since the beginning of the year was also greater by 46,534 ozs., valued at £5671, than during the first nine months of 1912.—P.A. from Wellington

Evidently the controlling officers of large institutions consider the Stratford district of' some importance, as we understand that a large New Zealand institution, which has a branch here, has increased the capital of the local branch by £SOOO during the week. This particular institution is handling a lot of wool, and it is understood that the increase has been made to enable the Stratford branch to handle the business that is offering.

The spectators at a gathering on the Caledonian Grounds at Timaru were treated to a novel and pleasing spectacle. Shortly after lunch a wonderful mirage presented itself. Looking towards the mouth of the Rangitata river plantations could be discerned standing out clear from the sea. Through the gaps between the trunks appeared a vast lagoon of shining water, and again behind this more large trees. To the left of these the Rangitata railway bridge could be plainly discerned. The mirage was of short duration, and when normal conditions returned even large plantations that had appeared to he lifted up could barely be picked out from the ordinary coastline.

A meeting of those interested in the Workers’ Dwellings was held at tl)e Borough Council Chambers last night* when Mr J. Lomas (superintendent of Labor), Mr A. H. Temple (architect of Public Works), and Mr T. ' ; i *• 7 i -f i i Bullard (commissioner of lands) were present to meet the applicants. About fifteen persons were in attendance Ten sections were taken over, and the design of dwellings were chosen by each applicant. There are four more sections to be taken up. The land, has been bought from Mr R. Jackson, and a start will be made early next .reek to lay the water mains and arrange for the drainage. Tenders will he issued at an early date for the erection of the dwellings. Any bona fide worker who does not own any land or receive ever £175 per annum cau make application for a dwelling arid section of land. The terms are very easy, £lO deposit, and the balance extending over 25 years as rent. Rents are according to value and design of the house. Further information may bo obtained from Mr T. J. Ladd, Cloton Road.

The chaffcutting competition at the Ganmain Show (X.S.W.), was unique in character, but of distinct practical value in a district which ranks so prominently in the chaff trade. The Sydney Daily Telegraph states that seven plants were brought on the ground, and the approximate value of the machinery engaged fell little short of £IO,OOO. One ton of chaff had to be cut and bagged, and the prizes were awarded on a scale of points for best cut and cleaning up. Although 25 minutes were allowed for the cutting, most of the plants finished in side a quarter of an hour—the first to finish only occupying 9 minutes to cut and bag a ton. The samples of the leading three were pronounced to be really excellent. W. H. Logan was placed fiVst, with 85 points for cutting and 9 for cleaning—total 94 ; Lenon Bros., second, 87 and 6 points respectively—total, -93 points; Jas. Logan, son. ; third, 84 and 8 points, or a total of 92 points.

A singular reason was advanced by a probationer whose resignation from tiro nursing staff of the Waimate Hospital was accepted by the committee last week. It was, in effect, that she had found that the lack of a satisfactory primary education so prejudiced her chances of qualifying as a registered nurse that she had deemed it wise to give up nursing as a calling now rather than have to relinquish it later on. Her opportunities for learning had. she said, heen all that could he desired, and it was entirely her lack of ordinary “schooling” that handicapped her. The surgeon assured the committee that the matron and ho agreed that the nurse in question was a willing worker, and naturally a good nurse. The committee acceded to the young ladv’s wishes, but quite evidently it was somewhat mystified, especially as the letter of resignation was well put together, and the handwriting fair.