LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 49, 14 October 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

ft is announced in this issue Hint a dance will be held at. To Worn on Fri- ' day evening under tlio auspices of the |Tc TVera Tennis Club.

A mooting is convened by the .Mayor for Friday evening for the purpose of forming a committee to organise in connection with tiie Belgian and Four of Britain Belief Fund. Four of the thirty civil cases set down for decision at the Court on Friday are marked as defended. The only other matters to be dealt with are a judgment summons case and a charge of sheep-stealing. i The local golf season formally closes to-morrow. .Mixed foursomes (9 hole) will bo played, and there will be approaching and putting competitions for ladies -and gentlemen, and afterwards the presentation of prizes. Play will commence at 2 p.m. sharp. „■ f T "" There are approximately 5200 names cm the main electoral roll being prepared for the coming general election—about a thousand less than at lakt election. This shrinkage is thought to he duo to the fact that owing to the war the political canvass has not been so keen as in the case of previous elections.

One of a flock of sheep belonging to a farmer at Maheno has established a unique lambing record for one ewe, the “increase” having reached 500 per cent. The ewe, it is stated, gave birth to a sestet, but one of the lambs died. The remaining five (says the Oamaru Mail) have thriven wonderfully considering the heavy handicap imposed on the mother by having to rear so large a family.

Two Napier motor cyclists—Messrs H. Bate and Duckett—left Napier at midnight on Saturday, and, after reaching Wellington, returned home within the 24 hours (says the Telegraph). Both machines had side cars attached, and the ride is considered a very good one. Wellington was reached at 9 a.m. on Sunday, and the riders and their passengers left again at 12.15 p.m., reaching Napier just on midnight that evening.

A few days ago a busy man rushed into the Wellington Telegraph Office and cabled away to. his brother in Melbourne: “Congratulations securing dynasty.” After some 10 hours had elapsed (says the Dominion) the sender was called up over the ’phono and informed that the censor had stuck the message up and it could not be sent forward until its meaning was made quite clear. Such a hold-up had never been anticipated, when it was ordered that the words used were “good plain English'.” Still the explanation had to be given in case the mysterious message was some vitally important communication to the enemy. It will be sufficient to state that the message was sent in reply to one received which read, “Boy, both well.”

Mr Philip Snowden, the brilliant British M.P., who is to speak at the Town Hall this evening, was accorded a few days ago an enthusiastic welcome in Auckland, Bishop Averill presiding over the gathering in the Town Hall. The business men of the city, presided over by Mr J. C. Macky (of Macky, Logan and Co.), packed the Chamber of Commerce Hall, numbers unable to get into the hall, standing all the way down the stairs throughout Mr Snowden’s address. He spoke on the economics of the liquor traffic, and was accorded an' ovation for his powerful statement. Mrs Snowden, who accompanied her husband at this gathering, was prevailed upon by the audience to'say a few words. Her lectures on Jack London’s book, “John Barleycorn,” and “Peeps at Parliament through a Woman’s Eyes,” have charmed northern audiences.

The mysterious disappoarence at Hobart of a male third-class passenger on R.M.S. Taimii, which arrived, at Wellington from London, via ports, on Monday, caused a good deal of concern on hoard the liner (the Post reports). The passenger, T. Thomson by name, appeared to ho in an indifferent state of health during the voyage, and while at the Tasmanian port he left the'vessel suddenly about 10 p.m. on "Wednesday week. It appears that he hoarded a schooner near hy and from there got into a small boat. Noticing the man’s action, a member of the schooner’s crew called out. and received a reply from Thomson to the effect that he was going to look for his hat. Since then nothing ha sheen heard of Thomson hy those who came hy the'Tainui. At the time he was not wearing a coat, this having been found in his cabin. A search and inquiries revealed no information as to the man’s intentions. Thomson is said to be a married man, his wife and family being at present in the Old Country. He had booked his passage to Oamaru.

The October number of the Windsor Magazine (to hand from. Mr H. J. Hopkins) has been considerably enlarged from the usual proportions in order to make room for extra pages, bound into the number as a special supple-, nient, devoted to the subject of the Great War. Under the title of “The Empire’s splendid Hally to the Mother Country.” is given an interesting survey of the work which the loyalty ot the Overseas Dominions has undertaken with such fiiie enthusiasm, and illustrating this theme appear many interesting portraits. That of His Majesty King George is accompanied by the latest photographs pf his two sons, the Prince of Wales, who has Joined the First Oeaadier Guards, and Prince Albert, who is with the Fleet on H.M.S. “Collingwood.” Prominent ,in a long gallery are also recent, portraits of many of the leaders in the nbble demonstration of Imperial Unit*- which has followed the outbreak of the War, among them the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Premiers of other States of the Commonwealth ; the Prime Minister of New Zealand, tbo Prime -.Minister- of Canada, the Prime Minister of the Union . of South Africa, and the. great hereditary chiefs of India.

Citizens are reminded of the civie reception to Mr Philip bnowdeu, M.P.j which is to take place at the Borough Council Chambers at 7.30 this evening. Weather forecast.—The indications are for variable and strong breezes, but westerly moderate to strong winds prevailing. There is a prospect of fair to cloudy weather. The barometer has a rising tendency, but unsteady. In addition to the total sum of £9 Is acknowledged on September 30th last towards the Huntly Belief Fund, we have received £2 from the Factory employees (per Mr making £ll Is up-to-date. A Press Association message to-day from Hamilton states: While the mo* thor was engaged in household occupations, Alma Fredericks Keenan, the two-year-old daughter ol Mrs Keenan, Frankton, strayed on to the railway track and was struck by the Rotorua express and killed. Pupils of Mr W. S. V. A. Sparwath’s physical culture classes are asked to meet at Ins shop in Broadway to-mor-row (Thursday), ladies at 2 p.m. and gents at 3.30 p.m. Now pupils especially from the High School are also invited to attend. It is understood that only 25 per cent, of the first-class bands asked to compote at the forthcoming contest at Napier have signified their intention of taking part. Another 25 per cent, state that they are unable to come, and 50 per cent, have not replied. The advisability of postponing the contest has been suggested.