LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 19, 22 January 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Those interested ar.e reminded of the meeting of motor cyclists to bo held this evening in Mr W*. B. Fearon's offico, for the purpose of; forming a motor cycle club in Stratford. A young man named Dan Davis, butcher, of Ivohuratahi, met with a serious accident on Monday last when sharpening shears. He severely cut bis hand across the forefingers. He! was conveyed to the Stratford Hospital, where he underwent an operation and is progressing slowly. A farmer from the East Road states that with a continuance of the present dry weather ragwort plants should have a hard time, lie says that a particular moth is just making its appearance. This moth deposits an egg in the ragwort flower, and the egg develops into a little black caterpillar, which eats out the heart of the flower, killing it. Naturally, these operations are most * favorably carried out in warm weather. The chairman intimated to yesterday's meeting of the County Council that the Council had liabilities of £4OOO and the credit balance was only about ,€3OOO. He was afraid it would be necessary to shorten lianas; but at the same time it had to be remembered that the roads were being improved all the time—he doubted if the Mountain Road was ever in better condition. . Since the Swimming Club was lastin active operation a lot of new blood has come into the town, and it is hoped that at the annual general meeting, to be held in Mr W. G. Malone' s office to-morrow evening, a completely new set of officers, all energetic and enthusiastic, will be elected. To ensure a successful meeting and a useful season, a large attendance of old and new swimmers is desirable.

Mr E. C. Robinson had rather a strenuous time yesterday and the day before. On Tuesday lie attended the meeting of the Whangamomona County Council, his presence being necessary through the absence of the Clerk. Mr A. Coleman. After that meeting he came through to Stratford on his. motor cycle and attended the meeting of the Stratford County Council. Happily, the two bodies are not liable to often have their meetings so close together.

At the last, meeting of the Egmont National Park Hoard allocations were made as follows:—South House (Daw-

son's Falls). £75; North (New Plymouth). £55; East (Stratford), £SO: West (Rahotu), £10; and the Board's funds, £lO. The Chairman said they had no power to grant a prospecting license. In reply to a question as to what metals it was hoped to find in the Kaitake Ranges, the Chairman said there were traces of gold, copper, manganese, • bismuth, iron, sulphur and cobalt.

"Writing under date January 19th. a member of the Stratford Boy Scouts writes as follows: —The Stratford Scouts trek party, which lei'; for Mokau on 6th inst., have reached Mangaroa, and are now starting the last section of their trip, expecting to reach Whangamolnona by the 1 middle of the week, and Stratford .or, Saturday. The distance travelled t-c date is 95 miles, and all members of the party are in the best of form. and in best of health. Some very difficult tracks have been traversed with the trek cart, which is the first wheeled vehicle to get through from Okau to Ohura. One section of this part of the trip—nine miles in length —took twelve hours to cover.

As usual there avIII be no lack of music at the Burns supper, which is to be given in the Town Hall on Monday next under the auspices of the Stratford branch of the Tavauaki Provincial Scottish Society. Those who delight in the characteristic Caledonian music will be well catered for, the whole of the local pipers having promised to he present. In the department of vocal music, the arrangements so far include solo items by Messrs Douglas and Wilkie, while the Hawera Quartette, whose fine singing is now well known to Stratford residents, are also on the hill.

I .Mr \V. H. Hawkins is set down fo; I a recitation. and altogether a plea sant evening in the department o I sony and story can he confidently looked forward to. j Yesterday afternoon the County Council returned to the discussion of the question of erecting a toll-gate on Mountain Road in the North Hiding, The chairman said he understood that a toll-gate could he erected at a point on the Mountain Road in the North Riding where it would not cause any hardship to. ratepayers.—Cr. Christoffel said that the revenue for a year from the Eltham toll-gat'* was nearly £l-100.—Cr. Anderson said that at first when the toll-gate was put up he thought it was a hardship, hut when lie saw the benefit it was to the road j he was quite satisfied to pay the toll.] Cr. M alter said he did not like the idea of going hack to toll-gates, hut he recognised the necessity there was) for getting some revenue from the j large amount of strange traffic on the, •oad,—lt was decided that the Rid-j ng members shall report to next meet-, ng on the matter.

Many a Rheumatic and Gouty subiect does not know that his health lias 1 been seriously undermined by excess,' uric acid in the blood. There is b'ltj one certain remedy for uric acid troubles- r.HFFMO 't removs the :ause and seldom fails to eure even | the most stubborn ease. 2s 6d and Is 6d evervw|ien,\ (57 i

It is specially desired that those young ladies "who intend to help with the collection on Hospital Saturday—next Saturday—should at once communicate their names to Mr T. H. Penn, secretary of the Hospital Board. It is understood that a good number'of Stratford young ladies are desirous of lending their services for this desirable work, but in order that tue operations may be properly organised so that the best possible results may he achieved it is necessary that the Secretary of the Hoard should know how many young ladies are available and at what hours they can carry on collection. The residents of Stratiord appreciate their hospital, and it is safe to say thai they only need the little reminder oi the collectionbox to make them respond liberally.