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Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1914, Page 4

A Sydney cablegram states that the medicos and howlers who have returned are high in their praises of the treatment received, and of the prosperity and progressiveness of New Zealand. In (lie Supreme Court at Palmerston North Joseph Vance, of Bulls, for rape, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment and two years' reformative treatment, reports the Press Association. Decrees nisi -wore granted in the following divorce cases heard at Wellington to-day:—Arnold William Jacomb v. Elsa Emily Jacomb (misconduct); Emily Jane Martin v. Henry Campbell Martin (misconduct). The annual district meeting of Oddfellows' at Napier carried a resolution strongly objecting to the consolidation of the sick funds proposal, and instructed the delegates in conference to oppose the project strenuously, states a Press Association wire. ' At the Dannevirke Show the judge of the children's pet lambs disqualified an entry because of its being a blackwooled animal. Though the "pet" was a magnificent specimen, well grown and matured, he could not see his way to encourage this class of animal by an award. A collie dog met an untimely end at the local station this morning, jumping off the platform as the ten o'clock train pushed in The animal had its ; four legs almost completely cut off, , these hanging only by the skin. ■ A gruesome incident in connection with the accident was that the poor animal . was allowed to drag itself some distance across the station yard before a friendly bullet ended its sufferings.

A Napier Press Association telegram states that the Caledonian sports yesterday were held under favourable .conditions. There was a, large attendance, with good entries for the various events. E. McCarthy and E. McKechnie divided the honours for pipe'.music; T. Jeffares swept the board in dancing; and the principal athletic events resulted—l2oyds, Scott; 220yds, Sturm ; mile flat, McMillan; quarter mile, Carroll; half-mile, McMillan.

The Government Tourist Depaitment is apparently determined to leave nothing undone that will add to the indoor attractions of the new Government Hotel at Mount Cook. The latest evidence of its care for the entertainment of visitors and residents us shown in its acceptance of the tender of the Dresden Piano Company, Ltd., to provide 'a handsome upright grand piano by the well-known firm of Messrs John Broadwood and'Sons.

, A'meeting of the Toko settlers' pic- ] nicand sports committee'-'was hMd on' Tuesday evening. Metn'bers were* very ' enthusiastic as to'making'tile gathering a ding-dong success, and should the day be fine, the event will doubtless; prove a red letter day for Toko and district. Although it is only a fortnight since the annual meeting, the secretary has the business arrangements well in hand, and with the aid of a hard-working committee, people;, wishing to have a day,out on i can rely on an excellent outing. . One . ■• interesting event will be, the local cycle , race, which is a new event on the pro- ■> gramme. ' ....... The Hon. James Allen, Minister for Finance, Education and Defence, arrived in New Plymouth by last night's mail train, and after dinner met a number of deputations on various matters. His programme for to-day is:8.30 a.m.—Leave for Oil Wells; 9.30 a.m.— High School Board visit site for proposed Girls' High School, also present girls' school; 10.15 a.m.—Visit Boys' High. School; 10.45 a.m.—Visit Central. School; 1.1.30 a.m.—Deputation High School Board at Board's office; 2 p.m.—Leave for Show Grounds; 4.30 p.m.—Visit Coronation Hall and receive deputation re leasing same to Defence Department; 8 p.m. ■—Smoke Concert.

Our Kohuratahi correspondent writes:—A committee meeting was held in the Town Hall on Sunday, and it Avas decided to hold the annual St. Patrick's sports in Mrs O'Keefe's paddock. There will be no charge for admission to the ground, and everything will be free for the day, such as lunch and afternoon tea, cool drinks for women and children, and also toys for the children. The day's sport consists of log chopping and running, throwing the cricket ball, stepping tho chain, tug-of-war, married and single ladies' races, and other races for the children too numerous to mention. In the evening a dance will be held in the Town Hall, and a very enjoyable evening is anticipated. «

In the course of an interview with the Minister for Education at New Plymouth yesterday Mr Trimble, chairman of the Taranaki Education Board, drew attention to the question of subsidising the moneys -raised by school committees by contribution. A district high school had a £1 for £1 subsidy on these moneys, and he asked for the same treatment for primary school committees. Mr Allen admitted the injustice of this, and said he had'tried to do away with it last year. The principal to he observed, however, was that the State should provide sufficient to run the schools decently apart from public subscription. The amounts paid to committees by different education hoards varied.--Mr Trimble said that his Board paid committees as much as it could afford already.—The Minister said he would consider the question of subsidies and relation of boards to committees.