LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 62, 4 July 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At the Magistrate's Court, New Plymouth, on Thursday, Mr H. J. H." Okey, MP., was fined £5, with 7s costs, for failing to clear blackberry from his land.

Every effort is being made by the people of Midhirst to free the piano in their hall from debt, and in order to help in that desirable direction a concert and dance is to be held in the Public Hall on Thursday evening. The Midhirst people have earned an enviable reputation for the pleasant evenings they provide, and it is promised that next Thursday's gathering will be no exception to the rule.

The steamer Marsina, which arrived at Sydney from the New Hebrides, via Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, last week, reports that the natives throughi out the group were quiet, so far as tribal fights and murders were concerned. A fresh trouble has arisen, which leads to the belief that they must surely be assimilating civilisation. It is the strike trouble, and it is stated that there is a scheme on foot amongst the natives to strike for higher wages. Steamers trading amongst the New Hebrides usually ■ carry a gang of natives for loading and discharging cargo. These boys are said to be concerned in the agitation for higher wages.

Life, indeed, is beset with dangers, says a recent Sydney Telegraph. At the meeting of the Inter-State Commission, a witness, speaking of the poisonous nature of white lead, said that in parks, where the paint on seats or railings, not being frequently renewed, was apt to go to powder/children playing there were likely to get tin's powder on bread or fruit they might be eating. This might result in lead poisoning in n mild form. The Chief Commissioner (Mr A. B. Piddington) remarked that there was no doubt as to their being surrounded with dangers every day. Cricket might be condemned because of the risk a bowler incurred in taking a brill that had been used the previous week by another man, suffering from lung trouble, who was accustomed to spit on his hands. Mr Commissioner Swinburn« added—"lt's a wonder we're aliro!"

The concert to h-'-ve heen held in Victoria Park to-sorrcw afternoon by the Municipal Band bi.s unavoidably had to l)e postponed.

The vital statistics for Stratford for the month of June are as follows, the figures for the past quarter being given in parentheses: Births 13 (50), marriages 11 (24), deaths 4 (6).

The vicar of Wembley, Middlesex, has resolutely set his face against the use of the word "died" on tombstones in his churchyard, and allows only such expressions as "at rest," "sleeps," and "passed away."

All interested are reminded that nominations of candidates for the Carnival Queen contest close at five o'clock this evening. A meeting of the Executive Committee will be held in Messrs Halliwell and Thomson's office, Otago Chambers, Fenton Street at nine o'clock.

"You have the average colonial trouble;—no respect for anyone older or wiser than yourself," said Mr Fraser, S.M., in reprimanding a young Territorial who had sworn insubordination at a range parade, and was inclined to be insolent in the Auckland Magistrate's Court the other day. "That sort of young person thinks he can run creation, and gets a grievance when he comes up against something he doesn't understand," pursued the Magistrate.

What is considered by some to be one more step in the ousting of the horse on the city streets is the purchase by the State Coal Depot in Wellington of two five-ton petrol lorries for the carriage of coal about Wellington. These two vehicles have just been put into commission, and are found to be easily adaptable to their special work. On the hills they are quite at home, but the- full five tons is not loaded on to them when the climb is steep. These bigger inclines the lorries negotiate comfortably with four tons aboard.

During .the quarter 35 sittings of the Magistrate's Court were held—twelve by the Magistrate and 23 by Justices. Other details of the quarter's business are as follow:—Civil cases heard by Magistrate 69, criminal cases heard by Magistrate 99 (two females), aggregate amount sued for £1538, recovered £822, applications in chambers 21, orders made 20, plaints issued 93, distress warrants 16, judgment summonses 19, judgment orders 4, and one warrant of. commitment; civil fees £B3,.criminal £lO, fines £7l 12s 6d (including £lO 15s for breaches of by-laws), license fees £lB.

An amusing incident in connection with the sale of a goose from one of the school district courts at the Winter Show has just come to light (states the Hawera Star). The bird, which I was nicely trussed and ready for cooking, was taken home by the purchaser, and the good wife placed it in the oven. Later, it wag removed and placed on the table, looking very tempting. When father commenced to carve the bird he found that the knife would not penetrate the flesh, and naturally he could not understand this. Investigations followed', and showed that the goose had been stuffed with brown paper to keep it inflated, and to 1 give it a "taking" appearance. The brown paper, in the baking, had absorbed all the moisture, hence the toughness. Of course, the bird could not be eaten, and Sunday's dinner was spoiled!

The burden of the Defence Act was found to be pressing heavily on a voung man who recently appeared before Mr Clarke, S.M., at the Sydney Water Police Court, charged with not fulfilling his military: obligations. Though only 18 years of age, the lad holds a good position as country traveller for a city firm. It was stated by Mr William C. Clegg, who appeared for the defence, that the young man was away from Sydney for a month, and while in the country he received the notice to drill—in the city. A letter from the managing director of his firm explained that the defendant's business kept him continuously on the move. The military prosecutor asked the magistrate to order the youth to make up his 48 hours' deficiency in drill in six consecutive days. Mr Clarke, however, said he would allow defendant a month to do it. At the solicitation of Mr Clegg, he extended the period to two months.

Details supplied by Mr T. H. Penn show that rain fell on twenty-one days during June, the total fall being 5.30 in. The only considerable falls were 1.21 in. on the 10th, 1.53 in. on the 18th, and .69in. on the 20th. All the other falls were well under half an inch, and on eleven days the fall was under ten points. The total fall in Inglewood for the month was 5.95, the chief falls being on the same days as in Stratford—l.ssin. on the 10th, 1.53 in. on the 18th (the same amount as in Stratford), and .58in. on the 20th. The other falls were under half an inch, but there were only six days on which the fall was under ten points. Miss N, Trimble, observer, supplied the In.glewood detail*. 'ln Eltham rain fell on twenty days, the total fall being 4.85 in. The heaviest fall was .79in. on the 18th. Th» month was easier in moisture than June, 1913, whilst the aggregate for ' the six months of 1914 stands at 24.83 in., *<Jiim?t 25.78 in. for the first six months in 1913.