LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 3, 5 January 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Stratford Mountain House has had its share of visitors during the holidays. Last year’s figures were easily doubled. Several parties have reached the summit, including some ladies. Mr A. W. Reid’s car, with a good load, did the trip from Stratford to the house in 35 minutes, showing that the road is in good order.

A special ‘notification will be found on page 7 of this issue, stating that in future what is probably the best known music business in New Zealand, the Dresden Piano Company, has recently sacrificed the trading name under which it has built up its success rather than carry on under a name associated with a country which has been guilty of the horrors perpetrated in Belgium and France., In future it will be known as the Bristol Piano Company.

The writer of Kennel Notes in the New Zealand Farmer for January, reporting on the Stratford Dog Show, says: “I must not forget to mention Mr J. Christophers, who acted in the ring as one ot the stewards. This mo.le-.t gentleman informed me that he knew nothing about dogs or dog shows, but 1 have never met his equal as a ring steward, and it is a pity he cannot be, drawn into the game, for once he becomes a fancier he will always be one, and we want such as he.”

The number of passengers by rail from Stratford during the period in which Christmas and New Year excursion tickets were for sale, showed a slight decrease as compared with the 1913-11 season. During the 1913-14 season, 2017 excursion tickets were issued; while the number of ordinary tickets amounted to 2592, making a total of 1609 tickets. During the season just closed, a total of 4355 tickets were issued, 2063 of which were holiday excursion tickets, and 2292 ordinary tickets.

Miss M. E. Allman Marohant is now in residence at St. Mary’s School, on the Mountain Road. A large new dormitory to accommodate ten boarders is being added to the house. The iirst term begins on February 10th, and the headmistress is now ready to see parents by appointment. Two assistant mistresses have been engaged. Miss S. E. Fleming, the late headmistress of Rt. Margaret’s School at Christchurch, and Miss A. Shepherd. The secretary of the school is Mr A. D. Stanley.

Dannevirke District A. and P. Association will hold its sixth annual Show on February 10th and 11th.

Weather Forecast.—The indications are for freshening northerly winds strong to gale. Expect dull weather with much mist and fog in parts. Rain probable. Barometer falling.—Pemberton, Wellington.

Under the direction of Messrs J. and N. Taifc, Mr Peter Dawson, the famous baritone, with his brilliant concert company, is to visit Stratford on Tuesday, January 19th.

The members of the Auckland Land Board appeared to he taken aback by a statement made by an applicant for a transfer. A young man, «ho said he was a “farmer and land salesman,” asked for permission to take over two blocks in Te Aroha survey' district from two separate owners. The Commissioner (Mr H. M. Skeet) said: “You are asking for two blocks. Is not one enough?” The applicant replied that he would not take one wihtout the other, and when asked what lie wanted the laud for, his answer was: “I intend f o improve it and sell it.” After the members had discovered from their astonishment, the Commissioner remarked : “It is certainly most refreshing to meet with such candour. We appreciate having a, truthful n an before us, but it is our duty to prevent speculation with regard to Crown lands. We want men on the land to live on their sections and .make their living by farming.”

The New Zealand Field and Kennel Gazette, commenting on the Stratford Dog Show, says: “This popular annual function was held in a large marquee on the Show Ground at Stratford on December 2 and 3, glorious weather prevobag The management as n»'inl was in the hands of Mr T. Kirkwood and his committee of doggy enthusiasts, and it is quite unnecessary to add that all arrangements were in apple pie older. Fanciers who have once visited this Show' are never known to hesitate to send their dogs unattended, feehng confident that they will be well cared for and accommodated during their absence Each year since its inception the Show has improved, both as regards qualitv and quantity, but this year’s fixture easily eclipses all previous ones, and it is quite safe to say that it was the best Show ever held in Taranaki. The entries were something like two hundred more than the previous largest total number, while in most varieties the quality was excellent.”

During their exile in Samoa,or on the long voyage to the Old World, qur soldiers have made up for the absence of the daily paper by running entertaining little sheets of their own, ex-tr.-efs from which have been published from time to time. The 3rd Reinforcements have their papers printed an i published on board H.M.N.Z.T. No. 14 i'cx-Willochra), and the first issue’s are io hand (states the Wellington I’ostL One is entitled Les Depeches do in Mer or the Ocean News, while the other bears the name of the Wireless Gazette. Both contain the latest war items and results of the General Electerns, in addition to local chat and gos-ip The first edition was printed on silk-rice paper in gold ink, and is styled “Edition de luxe.” The getup is distinctly original. Mr F. Pirani, son of Mr Fred Pirani, of the Feilding “Star,” i s the editor, printer, and publisher.

An accident occurred on the slopes of the Mountain on Saturday, which may have had a different termination to what it did had the night not been so calm. A party left Dawson Falls House to take a round-about trip through the Manganui Gorge, past Curtis’ Falls, and thence through the forest, taking in the Stratford House. A gentleman and his wife failed to negotiate Te Popo Gorge on account of dusk coming on, and in retracing their steps got off the track, and were consequently compelled to stay the night in the forest. Parties went out from Stratford House, also from Davvi son Falls. From the latter Mr MurPhy went the round trip, starting at 9 p.m., and negotiated the Manganui Gorge and got the track across to the St iat lord House, but a gentleman starting from the Stratford House had meanwhile located the stray couple and piloted them lo that House, where, after a. spell and something to eat, they went on to Dawson Falls, none the worse for their adventure. The night was so calm that Mr Williams proceeded throng lithe forest with a naked candle light, having given the hurricane lamp to another party. Mr Murphy had only a candle lamp. It was in the early hours of the morning before everything was serene again at the two Houses, concludes our informant.