LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 300, 17 December 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The report of the Stratford District High School concert last evening appears on page 2.

The annual general meeting of the Whanga Sports Club will be held on Saturday evening.

The Midhirst Co-op. Dairy Company’s employees have contributed the sum of £5 5s to the Britain and Belgian Relief Fund through the manager, Mr F. KJeeman.

A cablegram from Washington sta. tes that between 100 and 150 prominent Mexicans have been executed in Mexico City during the last tew days.

Reports from the oilwell at Huiroa are very satisfactory. The bore is down 3400 feet, and favorable progress continues to be made. Indications •in the strata are most encouraging, and developments may be looked for at anv time.

The Eltham Argus says: Mr Grimstone’s son, Lionel, who is on board the Arawa, gives the details of the sad death of Dr. Webb. It was during the usual humorous ceremonies connected with crossing the line when homage has to be paid to “Father Neptune.” Mr Grimstone says, “Dr. Webb elected to jump into the bath in preference to being thrown in. Rut instead of jumping he dived, evidently thinking the water to be deeper than it was. He hit the deck beneath the canvas bath with terrific force and dislocated his neck.

A correspondent to a Christchurch newspaper, commenting on the Restoration vote in Ashburton, says that the total vote for Restoration was 3430, for non-restoration 2569. Total valid votes 5999, three-fifths of which is (excluding fractions) 3600. As restoration obtained only 3430 votes the face value of the shortage stands at 170. But the exasperating part of the three-fifths handicap—to those who have to negotiate it—is that, to obtain those 170 votes the devotees of liquor would require to poll 425 votes to win, even if not another ballot paper was marked non-restoration.

For the past ten years Mr R. F. Biedow, of Douglas, has supplied rams to Mr J. D. Piper, Makairo, forty Mile Rush, and from time to time has received satisfactory reports of the excellent wool clips * obtained iiom Mr Piper’s Hock and the prices obtained in London. The most recent advice is that 118 bales from last season’s clip averaged 12|d, including locks and two damaged bales. Other prices were: 11 bales at Ls I|d, 29 at Is Id, 53 at Is ;}d, 7 at Is, 12 at lOd. The Surreydale clip benelitted to the lull by the advance recently taken place in greasy crossbreds. The pi-i----ces realised showed the keenest competition, and the sixteen bales of crossbred lamb’s wool at 13d indicates the urgent need for this description. The classing and skirting of the clip were satisfactory in all respects. These figures speak well for the advance made in sheep-breeding in the Stratford district.

With reference to the school concert which is being held in the Midhirst Hall this evening, by the unanimous vote of the children, the proceeds, instead of being devoted as in the past to the prize fund, will be given towards the British and Belgian Fund. In* addition to the ordinary concert a gift sale is to follow, when Mr G. Pugh, of Mr Newton King’s Stratford staff, has kindly consented to act as auctioneer. Many Stratford and other friends are expected to be present.