LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 85, 1 April 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The annual meeting of the Stratford Golf Club will be held in the Borough Council Chambers on Monday evening, at 8 o’clock.

The State bakery in New South M ales is now in full swing. A return supplied to Parliament shows that from March 9 to March 14, various institutions under the control of the Minister for Justice were supplied with 26,3061bs of bread at 9s per 1001 b, which is slightly under 41d for the 41b loaf, compared to 8d in Stratford.

Mr G. W. Russell addressed a crowded meeting of over 800 people at the Theatre Royal, Ashburton, last night, criticising the Government’s one-ship naval policy and the failure to provide cheap money. The speech lasted 2Sj hours, and at the close an amendment of no-confidence in the Liberals was defeated by a large majority, the meeting cheering Mr Russell.—P.A. t

The anniversary of the foundation of the Taranaki province and the battle of W aireka was celebrated at New Plymouth yesterday. A good number of early settlers gathered in the town and were entertained at luncheon "fey the citizens. After lunch they proceeded to Moturoa, where the Anniversary Regatta was in progress. They were again the guests of the citizens *ut afternoon tea, leaving by train for their homes in the evening.

In reply to the resolution passed on Monday by the Eltham Chamber of Commerce and Opunake Hailway League, the Hon. W. Fraser, Minister for Public Works, has sent the following ' telegram to Mr Parrott:—“l have to thank you for the expression of approval conveyed'by your Chamber in your wire of to-day,'re route for Opunake railway. I interid to start work on the line as soon as specifications- for small contracts are ready for inviting tenders therefor'. (Signeft): W. Fraser, Minister for Public Works.” ■; •■■■>**

An excellent programme has been prepared for the sports’td be held at Toko to-morrow under' the'auspices of the Toko Picnic and Sports Association, and the secretary, Mr G. E. Bocock reports that arrangements are now well forward. A large number of running events are provided, and there are also bicycle races, wrestling and a tug-of-war. Ample races are to be provided for the little folk: A special train, leaving at 1.30 p.m., has been provided for Stratford patrons, the train returning to Stratford after the sports. Given a fine day' the attendance should be a record.

Following are details of The business at the Stratford Court during Hie quarter ended March 31st Sittings presided over by S.M. 9, by Justices of the Peace 17. Number of. cases heard hy S.M. 68, by Justices 16, total 84. Aggregate amount sued for £1361 18s 2d, recovered £BB2 16s 9d. Number * - of plaints issued 137, distress warrants i issued 28, judgment summonses issued 15, orders on judgment .mmmons 3, warrants of committal issued 1, writs of arrest issued nil, processes served within two miles 82, over two miles 44, distress warrants executed within two miles 9, over two miles 10, wararnts of committal executed 1. On the criminal side 90 males and 5 females were before the Court, eighteen being arrested And 77 summoned. Four juvenile cases were heard during the quarter. The civil fees paid totalled £99 11s, fines £64 7s 6d, criminal fees £l4, licensing fees £3 7s. Seventeen applications were heard in p Chambers, sixteen orders being made. *

A number of New South Wales teachers responded to the invitation of the Sydney Daily Telegraph to send along local schoolboy “howlers.” In all cases the teachers concerned forwarded a declaration that they have solemnly blown out a match as a guarantee of good faith. During a lesson on Dr. Mawson, the class was asked how it was possible to unload the cargo of the Aurora during the night. One lad answered, “Please, sir, they’d capture a blizzard, kill it, and use the oil for slush lamps.” Another lad, during an examination on the centre of gravity, was asked, “Why will a pen not stand on its point?” His answer was practical. “It won’t stand on its head, either. I tried it. But it will stand on its point if you stick it in tight enough.” Stapding before a particularly dilapidated, disreputable- ,* looking class, the new teacher asked, “If you saw a boy with a clean face and hands, clean clothes, cleaned boots, hair combed, clean collar, and clean teeth, what sort of a hoy would you say he was?” The answer flashed, “A dirty toff!”

Weather permitting the Municipal Band will give a programme of music in King Edward Park on Sunday afternoon.

As the result of easier markets, the Auckland master butchers have decided upon a decrease in the price 01 meat, ranging from one penny to onehalfpenny per pound for joints most in demand.

Mr S. H. James, Registrar, supplies the following details of the vital statistics for Stratford fer the month and quarter ended March 31sfe; Births 22 (month), 77 (quarter); deaths, 2 and 12 j marriages, 3 aud 11.

A Hawera Press Association wire states: —Mr G. V. Pearce, M.F. foi Patea, addressed the electors of Hawera last night, when he explained the principal Acts of last session. A hearty vote .of thanks was passed to Mr Pearce, and a motion expressing confidence in him and also confidence in the Massey, Government/ was carried.

The following will represent the Stratford Bowling Club in a match

against New Plymouth to-morrow, at New Plymouth, the team travelling by the 8.55 a.m. train:—Evans, Porritt, Smart, King, McMillan, Penn, Young, Martin, Edgcomhe, Sharp, J. Masters, Brake, Bickerton, Healy, Morison, Rogers, McDonald, Harris, Ewen Jackson, C. Jackson, Sangster, Moon. Any other members who have not notified their intention of making the trip will bo gladly taken, as the New ' Plymouth Club can accommodate as many rinks as SWatford can muster.

1 The request of a dying king: “Don’t let poor Nellie starve,” comes into our minds (says the “Gentlewoman”), with peculiar appropriateness as we . read about the petition of the orange women of Drury Lane, and learn with satisfaction that: Mr McKenna, has , ’ granted it. After all, the story of' . Nell Gwynne is part of our history,and a picturesque part,too,which we can ill afford to part-with'in these prosaic days.. Even if it were only for, the sake of the memory of the frail beauty and her Royal companion, for whom, in spite of his faults,, every housemaid in London wore a bit of black ribbon when he died, her legendary descendants should be treated considerately.

Despite the.great sporting proclivi- ‘, ties of Dqmiqionites, it is somewhat . remarkable the number of clubs who ’ 4 ’pre in a ; state, of..chronic monetary ' ,'4 At almost every annual • a “poor, mouth” is pulled over /.the financial. outlook, and complaints '■":|are,heard-., from - , the treasurer ; about subscriptions lining in, arrears. Yet t the v ( is usually weathered ; ; in some way or other. ■■ Just / -how the

local Association Football Club is go-

ing ( tp win through is a problem troub- ,, ling: t enthusiasts at present. Sans * secretary, • sans books, and sans balls, up the position tersely, but the attendance at the meeting convened for Thursday afternoon is not likely to he served with much “meat” from the annual report. Should the Tara-

naki Football Association, the parent ..[body,;who boasted of the same secreitary, -have : been no better treated, - ; there .is a’ poor outlook for. the soccer • game, in these, parts this season.

>, s In another column of. this issue will be founA ajnotificatWv regarding the great East End gathering at New *.W Plymouth on Easter Monday; Some !>•-big 'Sport‘is promised. The Ilth Re-..-.giment ißand’ Will- be in attendance. ... and there will be a tug of ■ war £2O •championship, .'oniitions and pait.cuJlars of which are sec mb in *ho advt, " This is especially ; «ntere-rung, and will probably take many competing teams, in view of a projected tug-of-war for * big prize'which it is understood is to take place at Hawera sho-tly. There are, to he swimming sports, games, and many other attractions, concluding with a big social and dance in the evening. Mr W. Ji. Fletcher is the honorary secretary, ft nd he is by a powerfn com mitt •'