LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 293, 9 December 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tlio secretary of the Hospital Board was yesterday authorised to distribute the usual Christmas cheer; A Sydney cablegram states that the membership of Friendly Societies in 1913 iu New South Wales increased ’from 179,932 to 188,590. There is very little business set down for decision at Friday’s sitting of the Court, the list comprising only three civil cases (two marked defended) and one judgment summons case. The Hon, .1. Allen, Minister of Finance, announced at Dunedin last night that owing to the splendid results from the Post Office Savings Bank for November, which shows an excess of do posits over withdrawals to the extent of £135,000, he has advised the superintendent of the State Advances Office that money will be available to increase the maximum advances to settlers from £750 to £IOOO, and of those to local authorities from £IOOO to £2OOO.

Mr J. Brannigan has presented two collie pups to the Belgian Fund, and these will be sold at -Mr Newton King’s Haymarket on Saturday.

The Stratford Municipal Band , will present a programme of items in Broadway between eight and nine o’clock to-morrow evening.

The figures in connection witn the Stratford electoral results at tho two previous elections, together with the no-license results for 1911, appear on page 2 of this issue.

Weather forecast: The indications are for freshening westerly winds strong to gale at times. The weather will probably prove squally and changeable. Barometer little movement.—Bates, Wellington.

A letter from a local gentleman, asking for advice, was read at yesterday’s meeting of the Hospital Board, in reference to which the following resolution was passed: “That tho secretary be instructed to write to Mr- advising him to knock off drink.”

A Press Association telegram from Rotorua to-day states: In the ease. Dr. Baxter v, Dr. Scott Watson, being a claim for £2 2s for fee for administering an anaesthetic, Mr Dyer, S.M., gave judgment for plaintiff on the grounds that defendant engaged plaintiff, and that it was the custom for the operating surgeon to pay ti. anaesthetic fee.

In response to the request of a deputation representing all parties interested in the election to-morrow, Mr W. J. Reeve, Registrar at Stratford, has consented to allow tables to bo placed in front of the Town Hall, under close supervision, at which voters may obtain their numbers on the roll before entering the polling booth.

.The Opunake Seaside Improvement Society is to hold its fourth annual meeting at an early date. The Society has made a great many improvements to the pretty bay at Opunake and still more are in contemplation. A credit balance at present is £72 13s Bd, but expensive works are on the tapis. The annual report of the Society states: The Opunake bay is within five minutes’ walk of the town, and pedestrians have the choice of three excellent easy grade tracks leading to the bead), whilst there is also a good road for motor cars and other vehicles. The bay is considered by experts to be one of the finest and safest in the Dominion for surf bathing, and the Society’s assets include most up to date buildings, such as kiosk, bathing sheds, fresh water shower baths, etc. The Hospital Board yesterday instructed the secretary to write to the Inspector-General regarding an unusual position which has arisen in connection with the Board. The Board consists of eight members, but at present there are nine gentlemen entitled to claim seats. There are live members to be elected to the Board, and to make place for them five members are to retire; but the ratepayers failed to nominate more than three members. These three members were elected. Two new members were not elected, and the Act says that a member shall hold his seat until bis successor is appointed. There are still two vacant seats,, but there are three old members of the Board whose successors have not been appointed. They will not be “appointed” until the whole of the five seats are filled. The Board, therefore, at present has one over its proper number, and the Auditor-General would probably have something to say if nine members claimed expenses when the Board’s membership is only eight.