LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 49, 27 February 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Ackland Road School holds its annual picnic on Thursday, March oth.

It is understood that the Waitara Freezing Works, to cope with the increase of stock, will be considerably extended before next season.

The annual sports meeting at Toko, under the auspices of the Settlers Picnic and Settlers Association will be held this year on April 2nd, in the Domain. Although originally meant for a picnic the sports programme has been considerably enlarged, and now conisists of 24 events. Trophies to the value of £6O will be distributed as prizes,and a points prize,a gold medal presented by the Association's patron -Mr J. B. Hine M.P., will also be presented. Races for the children will be run throughout the day, and hot water and milk will be obtainable. This years effort wili conclude with a sqcial in the Hall in the evening.

11 there is anything in the old saying that a black cat coming to the house

menus good luck to it, then the "Stratford Evening Post" has heaps of good

things in store. The other day an all-black kitten strolled in among the comps, ami after a drink of milk supplied hy a kindhearted printer, the wee thing went out and brought its twin brother. The second one soon loimhl out what a line place is a printshop ami a third all-black Tom was added to the family The trio formed a preit\ picture ciu led up together on a stool in the jobbing room looking very "comfy" after a bowl of milk. The hoys are prepared for a good time «hen the luck arrives.

The Hon. das. Allen visited the New Plymouth Show yesterday afternoon. He was shown over the grounds by the president, Mr .). B. Connett, and the vice-presidents, Messrs Ti. J. H. Okey, M.IV, and (!. W. Browne, Mayo;- of New Plymouth. Dining the afternoon at the Taranaki Show yesterday two rather singular accidents occurred.! At intervals two gigs capsizetl almost in exactly the same place during the driving competition, hi each instance the occupant escaped uninjured, though slight damage was done to the vehicles. Applications for schedules continue to pour iii to the secretary of the Horticultural Society, and the entries for the show on Thursday and Friday next promise to be a record. The public who patronise the show will be delighted with the orchestra music provided by the Egmont Club orchestra on both evenings. The "Man with the Magic Thumb" is having a good time, states the management of the Tire Brigade Fete. He will certainly have his guineas worth before being caught. He had a good time at the Town Hall on Wednesday night. The large crowd while watching ''Within the Law" were afterwards surprised to find that the Magic Thumb had been in the;:- pockets. .Mr E. Dockrill, chairman of the Xew Plymouth High School Board, in the course of a conversation with the Hon. James Allen at Xew Plymouth yesterday, referred to the advisability of amending the regulations regarding Taranaki scholarships so as to allow of more than one scholarship being al- . lotted to air,- one school. The Minis-

ter promised to look into the matter, but he could not agree with Mr Dockrill that the allowance of £6O per annum to holders of scholarships was not sufficient. Mr Allen pointed out that the University fees were only £l3 per annum, and said that the balance should suffice .to keep a thrifty student. That was the first complaint he had received regarding the allowance.

Last night the temperature fell until people shivered and donned overcoats and rubbed hands to promote the circulation. That was the natural effect of the cold, but the figures recorded by the weather gauge at the school were also interesting. It may be mentioned that one day last week the maximum temperature was 67 degrees •and the minimum 60, a difference of only 7 degrees: yet the highest yesterday was 59, which fell rapidly at night to 38—six degrees above freezing point. This, too on February 26! A section of 22 acres on which there was a plentiful growth of ragwort formed the cause of proceedings at the Court this morning, Joseph Sharroek being charged with failing to clear the weed. The Inspector of Noxious Weeds (Mr A. F. Wilson) detailed a number of visits to the land, and stated that after many visits the weed was cut. Before cutting, the weed was well in flower. Defendant excused himself on the ground that he had been called away to work at Pohokura and did not know the condition of the laud. A tine of 40s, with costs 7s, was imposed. A Press Association message from Xew Plymouth states: Mr Morgan, director of geological survey, who lias been inspecting the Moturoa oilfields, prior to reporting on the alleged flooding, returned to Wellington to-day. In conversation with a Taranaki Herald reporter, lie expressed the opinion that the district is likely to be a profitable oilfield, and that a more vigorous development policy should be pursued. Naturally, he could not anticipate his report on the alleged flooding, but he appears very favorably impressed with all he has seen.

For riding a bicycle on a footpath Lucy Tindall was at the Court this morning fined 20s, with costs 7s. A. Shute, charged with driving a vehicle without lights, did not appear, the

summons having been served on his brother, and the information was dismissed. F. Crossley, a lad, was fined '2os, with costs 7s, on a charge of driving a vehicle without lights. His father attended and pleaded that the lad had one very bright light. E. Dixon, on a similar charge, was fined 20s, witli costs 7s. Defendant wrote that he had two lamps but only one was alight. The S.M. said he had frequently driven through Eltham and Hawera with only one light, but in those towns the Inspector;! did not object to the practice. The late Sergeant o'Malley,«when in Masterton, told a story the Wairarapa Age) concerning the police force in the early days. He said that two constables were on city duty in Christchurch on a bitterly cold night. One of them suggested that a drop of the elixir of life would be amiss, but tiic other, who was a raw recruit, stated that it was impossible, as all the hotels were closed. "Come along, and I'll show yez," said the senior of the two. They marched to the nearest hotel. "Shtand up beside the light," said the knowing one. The recruit did as he was told. Then the senior clambered on to his shoulder and extinguished the kerosene flicker which the licensee was compelled to keep burning throughout the night. There was a rap at the hotel door. "Who's there?" came from a head that peered from the window into a frosty night. "Police! Yez light is out, and yez are a-breakin' the law!" publican hastily dressed himself, rushed downstairs, apologised for the default of his ronseabout, whom he promised*to dismiss, and brought out two large bottles, which had the desired effect. Those, said Mr O'Malley, were the eoocl old (lavs.

A general meeting of the. members of the Mountain C lub is to ho held at 8 o'clock this evening in the Borough Council Chambers to elect office-bear-ers and to transact general business.

, Judgment by default was given in the following cases at the Court this morning: Arthur James Stockley v. Ranginui £'9, costs £'l 13s 6d; Cash Tailoring Co. v. James Dunn, £2 Gs, costs 15s; Caroline Wing Keo v. J. W. Chadwiek £2 15s lOd, costs Us; John Pennington v. Victor Bevins, £1 4s 9d, costs 13s; Mary Ryan v. Charles Milieu £9 ss, costs £1 3s Gd.

An Auckland Press Association

telegram states: Messrs Kretzschman and Beoff, delegates from the Hat' waiian and Australian Agricultural Association, are investigating the resources of New Zealand, with a view to future operations, the conditions

in Hawaii owing to Oriental immigration having serious drawbacks. They interviewed the Prime Minister, and have „ visited various northern districts, and were so much impressed that they decided there was no need to go to Australia, and will return home by the Makroa on March 14, and will confidently advise members of their Association to sell the Hawaii properties and take up land in New Zealand without delay.

A fine of 20s, with costs 7s, was inflicted on Clifford Tanner, at the Court this morning, on a charge of failing to atteud Senior Cadet drill. SergtMajor Collins stated that defendant had done no training since last May. The S.M. fixed no default, but advised the Sergt-Major to apply at once for* an attachment order if default was made in payment. W. E. Porter was fined 60s, with costs 7s, for failing to attend drill of H. Co. Major Collins said defendant was transferred from the mounted squadron in September last, but had done no infantry drill and had been convicted for failing to attend the last camp. A default of three weeks' military detention was fixed, the S.M. repeating his remarks about the attachment order.