LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 13, 15 January 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Justices will preside at to-morrow's sitting of the Court, for which the following business has been set down: —One information for using obscene language, two for driving vehicles without lighas, and one for riding a bicycle without a light. . Nineteen civil cases are set down for decision, two suits being defended.

The firebell rang a little after 8 o'clock last night, hut when the Brigade arrived on the scene in Broadway below tllo Opunake Road it was found that the flare was caused by burning trees. There was some tranger of the flames spreading to Mr Alger's premises and the Brigade promptly had the tire under control.

In referring to the celebrations at a native wedding at Opunake, and the fact that "the l'akeba was also' there in full force,'' the Opunake Times satirically remarks that the color line is not drawn at hospitality—especially when it is at the expense of the natives!

The young fellow Cameron who was brought to the Hospital yesterday from Whangamomona is doing well. In connection with musketry work by the local Cadets he climbed a tree to place a flag and in coming down staked himself with a limb of the tree. At the Hospital the stake was removed and he is doing well.

One regrettable incident at the school concert at Otangiwai on the 19th nit., says the Olmra Advocate, was, that a resident who ought to know better came along in charge of an inordinate quantity of whiskey 3 got belicose, and used, the choicest of English within hearing of the ladies who were dancing. He was carried off the premises on this occasion, but we hope he will have the good sense to keep away from future gatherings unless capable of caking a more intelligent interest in matters in general: otherwise he will be kicked off. Since the occurrence he has been industriously circulating false reports of the incident. Surely common sense should come sufficient-

ly to his rescue to cause him not to advertise himself unduly or lie will

*. get all the trouble ho is looking for. > j 3] The possibilities of Westland as a - dairying province appear to have pro- . fou 1 idly impressed the visitors, who • came from other parts of the Dominion ■ to attend the Jubilee celebrations > (says the Greymouth correspondent of t the Qtago Daily Time.-). Practically i all the Parliamentarians prophesied a ! glorious future for the "Golden West," when as a speaker put it, "The cow that lays the golden calves," is in undisputed possession of the broad acres. Sir Joseph Ward stated also that the advent of scientific dairying meant the dawning of a new er#'on the coast, while Mr G. W. Russell, M.P., waxed ! enthusiastic over what he termed the ' unbounded possibilities which the introduction of that industry presaged. The member for Avon pointed to the prosperity of Taranaki as an illustration of what dairying could do for a country Messed with an abundant 1 rainfall, and said that there was ab- ' solutely no reason why Westhmd once more should not duplicate the success of the northern provinces. Do you know the awful agony of Rheumatism. If so. take courage, aj simple, inexpensive, speedy remedy is availnhlp'in RHETTMO.' Thousands of Maorilanders have tried it. tested . it and proved that it cures those disJ j eases which are due to excess uru4 ! acid ia the blood. 2s 6d and 4s 6d. SCI

The Toko Settlers' Association, which is holding its first Show on Thursday, February 19th, has decided to postpone the closing of entries for the dairy herd competition (class 268 a) from January 20th to -January 31st. It is expected there Mill be good com-

petition in this important farmers' event. Entries for all other classes at the show must be in the hands of the Secretary (Mr G. M. Cleary) by February 12th. All competitors must be resident east of the Kahouri bridgo except for poultry ctaht.es, which are open.

It is characteristic of {he people of Whangamomona that there is nothing

they like better than a discussion on local or general politics, and it is

a fact, also, that, if they do not possess much power of oratory, they generally show a good grasp of the facts of the case they argue. This was exemplified at the meeting of the Central Riding ratepayers on Tuesday, about a hundred gathering in the Public'Hall to go into the question of raising money to repair the Ohura

Road. The discussion was at times animated but never acrimonious, and •a general spirit of compromise as between the main road and by-road settlers was apparent. A full report of proceedings at the meeting will be found on page 8 of this issue.

From the Ohura Advocate: Shearing is in full swing at Glentress, and despite the hot weather some real good tallies ha\;e been put up, Mr P. W. Goldfinch being ringqr this year; Mr T. Brown and Mr P. J. Goldfinch

tie and runner up. Mr J. Fraser, who is just a beginner, proves to be quite an expert. A valuable pipe is to be given next year for the highest tally. A shearing competition will take place between Sam Hawkins, champion shearer of Hawke's Bay, and a cousin of the late Raihania, champion shearer of New Zealand, also cousin of Mrs George Clark, of Glentress. All lovers of the blades are cordially invited to see the competition. Luncheon provided, and the winner is to receive a gold medal and all expenses paid.

A statement in a communication from the Postal Department to the Borough Council regarding the coach service between Wlmngamomona and Ohnra and appearing in our report of the last Council meeting, is heing taken exception to. Mr Tom Moce, wife of the 'popular proprietor of the coachj was in Stratford yesterday on. a holiday trip to'Auckland, intending to do the round journey back to Ohura, and she states that the service is, and always has been, a twice-a-week

one, with the exception, of course, when the roads were recently blocked by slips it was impossible to maintain the timetable. It was quite erroneous, also, to state that during tho summer months trips would be made only on special occasions, as in that season Mr Moore specially catered for tourists, who it is now Imped, will understand that there is no difficulty in undertaking the round trip—at any rate, as far as the coach service is concerned. While on this matter, the refusal of the Postal Department to consider the Council's request for. improved mail communication, may, perhaps, be worthy of re-consideration. It is more than likely their reply was based on a misconception of the facts of the position as shown in Mis Moore's explanation.