LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 80, 25 March 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Australiaji .submarines have left Suez, reports a London cablegram. The sale of work and produce to be | held iu the Regan Street- Methodist | Hall to-morrow will bo opened by Mr }•]'. 1L Hinc, M.P., at 2.30 p.m. There | is an endless variety of stalls, etc. i The British Association and RadioTelegraphic Committee have requested the Commonwealth to observe the radio-active effects at wireless stations during the August eclipse, states a cablegram from London. At tb.e golden wedding celebrations of Mr and Mrs Sones, "of Southend, England, eleven children, who have grown to maturity, out v of thirteen, were present, and a package of wedding cake which Mr Sones put away

oil his wedding-day in 1863 was eaten. The sixth annual meeting of that very successful institution —the East Road Sheep Dog Trial Club—will open at Te Wera to-morrow (Thursday), and he continued on Friday. A good many visitors from Stratford propose being present. The entries in all classes are really excellent, and a fine two days’ sports is anticipated. The rehearing of the action in which the New Zealand Times claims £‘3ooo from the Dominion, for alleged libel contained in an editorial article published on 11th December, has commenced at the Supreme Court, before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) and a jury, states a ’Wellington Press Association message. To-morrow (Thursday, March 26th) the Midhirst settlers will hold their very popular annual sports gathering, when a well-arranged programme of twenty-two events will be presented. Visitors from town, or from other parts of the district will he heartily welcomed. A dance will he held in the evening.

Burgesses are reminded of :he necessity of placing their names on the Borough roll. All persons over the age of twenty-one who are British subjects and who have ’ended for three months within the Bon igh are entitled to be enrolled. The mil closes on the loth April, and the authorities request that appliedipns for enrolment be made as early as possible,.

The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher addressed a large meeting at> Eketahuna last night and had an excellent reception, reports the Press Association. The speech was on the lines of that delivered at Pongaroa. At the conclusion, the Minister said he was prepared to divert from the ordinary course and answer any questions, but none were forthcoming. The meeting unanimously passed a vote of thanks to Mr Fisher for the address and expressed confidence in the Ministry which he represented.

The Stratford A. and P. Association will collect the gift calves donated by their supporters next Friday. The calves will be brought to Stratford and judged-on Tuesday morning and then sold in the afternoon by the three auctioneers in conjunction. The Association is giving the following prizes for tho animals:—For the best dairy heifer, irrespective of breed, First prize £"!, second £3, third £2, fourth £l, fifth 15s, sixth 10s, seventh ss. For the best steer: First prize £l, second 10s, third ss.

Dr. Starr Jordan showed a “Sylno,Daily Telegraph” reporter a letter lie had received from a lady worker in the peace movement, resident in Turkey. It contained a piece of latest news from Armenia, and proceeded, “The Turkish Government lately issued an order for vaccination in Zeiioon, and the Turkish officials, with the Turkish Government ‘hakims’ vaccinated four hundred Armenian babies ; they vaccinated poison, and the four hundred babies died by the night. Thus we see that the Turkish Government has now devised a new method of destruction for the extermination of the Armenians. . Christendom looks calmly on the extermination of a Christian people on the soil of its own country.” Dr. Jordan added that ho could vouch for the trustworthy character of any statements made by this lady.

Writing somewhat pessimistically—but alas! not without some leanings towards truth, the Stratford correspondent of the “Taranaki Herald” says“Mr X. J. King is being petitioned to stand for the Stratford Mayoralty and so is the sitting Mayor, Mr W. P. Kirkwood. The billet is not one that one need envy the holder. Stratford is a simply shocking example of town-planning. One third of the area of the original township is taken up with the absurdly wide streets, an eternal wastes of good land 'and of good money for construction and upkeep. They run dead straight in the direction of the prevailing winds, giving every facility for dust-raising. The reserves for public purposes are all too small and badly placed. In fact, the town was laid off just about as wrongly as it could be. The result is a perpetual strain on the borough finances.”

A Wellington Press Association message states that the profit from the Carnival this year is stated at £795, hut it is expected this sum will he increased a little. The profit last ; year, when held at Easter, was £IBOO, and there is a feeling that the holiday must he included if it is to be a success in future.

With regard to the changes in the defence system - and the withdrawing of Government aid from school companies, the Nelson College cadets have not camped for the past year or two (states the Press Association), but the Old Boys have come to their assistance, and now three companies and artillery will go into camp at Brightwater at Easter. The hoys will be under complete military discipline, and Major Pin will command.