LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 94, 14 April 1914, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

v Mr Henry Rowson, father of Mr W. RawsoiLj of Stratford, who is at present on, a-; holiday Tisit to Auckland, was knocked down by a tramcar on Saturday evening. He was removed to the hospital, where it was found that his condition is somewhat critical. A Hokitika Press Association message states: Qwing to the very unsatisfactory weather conditions prevailing to-day the Westland pioneer memorial unveiling ceremony and band contest has been postponed until a later date, probably June 3rd. At Hokitika, Sergeant Foley arretted John Crisp, a solicitor, of Dunedin, alias Dominck, on a charge of forgery of a deed of mortgage at Dunedin, and thereby obtaining £ISOO. Yesterday morning he was remanded to Dunedin. The sea encroachment at Hokitika continues, each tide doing further damaged The serious erosion of the bank is continuing. The heavy gale yesterday caused an increasing sea and to-day further .damage is occurring. There is, much consternation among residents along, the sea front, a large amount of property being involved. The weather is still stormy. The fourth annual conference of the New Zealand Poultry Association opened,- to-day in Wellington. -Forty delegates were present (states the Press A ssoc * ation )' and Mr S. Brittain (Bulls),, presided. ,The. Mayor welcomed the delegates, and expressed appreciation of the work the Association was doing in encouraging the production f of poultry and eggs of highest quality. Referring to the British and American markets, he said it was most important, if New Zealand wished to secure and retain her standing in those markets, that its products should be of the finest quality, and that growers should be scrupulously honest in their dealings. The annual report commented upon the improved outlook for the industry, and upon the adoption by the growers of more modern methods of marketing poultry and eggs. The report estimated the annual looses by bad marketing" 'methods at £50,000 in the matter of eggs and £25,000 in poultry for the table, and urged that some better system of introduction by the Government should be Instituted to help to reduce the losses^

A rather sensational incident . occurred on the Awatoto Road in the early hours of the morning (states the Press Association at Napier). Yesterday afternoon a motor car was stolen from the Park racecourse, and about midnight word Was received in town that the car had been abandoned on the Awatoto Road. A party went out and discovered one man apparently drunk, whilst another presented a revolver. He gave the search party two minutes to clear out. As they did not move as quickly as desired, a shot was fired without effect. ■ The party then came to town for police assistance, hut on their return the stranded car and men had disappeared. After a long search tlie car was found abandoned a few miles distant. There has been quite an epidemic of car-stealing recently, but the police are without a clue.