LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 23, 27 January 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

♦- ■ Correspondence and other matter is unavoidably held over. The District Officers of the Munches- 1 ter Unity, 1.0.0. F., paid their usual visit to the Loyal Kaponga Lodge last night, and will visit the Toko Lodge next meeting, and the Loyal Stratford Lodge on the 9th February. Only a small number took seats at the Oddfellows' euchre party in the Foresters' Hall last night, but all present had an enjoyable time. The prizes were won as under: Ladies', first, Mrs Moroney; booby, Miss L. Sole; gents', first, Mr T. Lawson (after a play-off with Mr 0. Tocker) : booby, Mr Wasley. Supper was afterwards partaken of at Mr R. L. Davies' rooms.

The Toko Settlers' Association Show, which takes place on the 19th of next month, is attracting a good deal of attention throughout the district. In this connection, dairy farmers are specially reminded that the date for receiving entries for the Dairy Herd Competition in connection with the Show is now close at hand, and Saturday next, January 31st, will be the last day on which the secretary will receive nominations. The secretary is Mr G, M. Geary, and it is hoped that dairy farmers will respond in large numbers to the call for entries for this very interesting class.

Tn addition to 22 civil oases (four of which arc- to be defended) the following informations will he dealt with at the Court en Friday: Eight for failing to attend drill, and one each for failing to register under the Defence Act, driving a motor cycle in a dangerous manner, one for disregarding the sign "Stop, Look out for the Engine," driving loose horses, allowing a cow to wander on a railway line, failing to maintain a child, riding a motor bicycle without a light, and cruelty to an animal. There are also a number of land agents' licenses to be dealt with, in addition to old-age and widows 1 pension business.

One deeply interested in the subject to be dealt with by Mr W. C. Nation in an address he is announced to deliver at Stratford next Sunday evening writes:—Ueligion and science are surely joining hands. When -Sir Oliver Lodge delivered his presidential address before the members of the British Association ofr the Advancement of Science in September last he said : "Personality persists after death. . .

Discaruate intelligence under certain conditions may interact with us on the material side." This statement lias caused a world-wide sensation, and the question arises "Is science going to explore the dark pathway into the unknown." The church is awaking to the fact that it, must investigate. The Bishop of Birmingham, dealing with Sir Oliver Lodge's declaration, asks "that religious teachers should join in experimenting and inquiry." Another surprising statement. And now the people of Stratford will have an opportunity o f hearing something in this great subject. Mr W. 0. Nation, an old pressman, will tell his hearers what has been brought to light in recent years at the Foresters' Hall on Sunday night. His address will commence at 8.15 so as <not to clash with church services. He will be pleased to answer questions on the subject.

The latest issue of the "Oliur.i Advocate" (dated January 23rd) tc hand contains the following loading article: The importance to this m-sv district of the interest that is being manifested in it by Now Plymouth and Stratford commercial men is, we feel sure, patent to everyone. What has been accomplished in the Ohura ('aunty so far has been by the pluck and perseverance of a mere handful of people. With wonderful possibilities of development still before us we have no douht the favourable impression that will be left in the minds of our influential Taranaki visitors next week will strengthen and enlarge the community of interest between the Ohura and Taranaki. and result in welcome in the bringing of tins country into a high state of productiveness. Thc% opportunity should lie availed of to show the visitors over as much oi the |

Oliiini County as possible during their short stay. Wo received a letter from Mr Xewton King on Wednesday in which he stated ho \vonl<] he one of tite party. We feel certain that he and his fellow members of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce will receive ;i hearty welcome from settlers and business men of the Ohura. A large and representative attendance is expected at 'the Settlers' Dinner on Mondav night.

The arrangements for the working of the proposed Garden Fete in aid of the Kite Brigade will shortly be assuming definite shape. A meeting of die General Committee is called for Lids evening. The secretary wishes nil nntiifs o,' those willing to assise io be handed in. A meeting of the ladies' committee will be held to-morrow evening. A curious bee story is told by a Christchureh motorist. He was travelling along tin' North road on Monday when a working bee flew into .his mouth and stung'the roof thereof. The motorist \vi..: ids tongue could feel tile litvle barb, but failed to extract it with his iii'g us. The service:: o> in; itinerant pedlar who happened to come in sight were requisitioned. A pair of pliers was selected from tiie motorist's too! bag, and with these the p—ldlar performed an amateur operation within the affected mouth. He soon got •• grip of the barb, and had it pullet] out without further ado. Great excitement prevailed on board the 4.15 ferry steamer from Manly the other afternoon, when, a few minutes before the boat was due to start, a little girl was seen to fall into the Mater from the goods jetty 50 yards distant (says a Sydney paper). There were several boys on the jetty, including one young fellow of 18 or '2O, and as the child drifted out of sight of those about, a hundred voices shouted directions. But none of those on . the jetty did more than peer over the edge, and a roar of execration arose front the crowded ferry boat as the girl, floating partly on her back, and : splashing with both hands, disappeared. Splash! over went a young fellow from the steamer, making towards the other jetty with a vigorous crawl stroke. Two more followed him, but swimming with clothes and boots on is a tedious business, and it was more -than a minute since the girl had been seen. Suddenly, however, a glimpse t of a straw hat and brown dress was caught, and while the first swimmer , was still 10 yards away, the girl climbed on to a cross-bar between the piles, ( just as a couple of boats arrived to . I rescue her. The plucky young fellows | had their ducking for nothing, and ; what was worse, the ferry boat, with • then- coats aboard, had to start for , Sydney without them.