LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 4, 6 January 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tn the official Year Book just issued the population of Napier is shown as 11.083, or, including Napier South, West Shore, and Awatoto 12,628. The figures for the other principal towns outside the four centres are given as follows:—Wanganui 13,751, or with suburb 10,031, Palmerston North ,12,042. Nelson 8052, or with suburbs 8705, ruvercargill 14,520, or with suburbs -17,868.

The Burns celebration to be held in the Town Hall on January 25th will be a departure from the previous efforts of the local Society. At a meeting of the committee last night, it was decided to have the ladies present at the banquet, and so there will bo "nae sair heids i' the morn." As the nett proceeds are to be handed to the Belgian Belief Fund, it was felt that the supper on the big scale of past years could not be carried out (in fact, they have showed a loss), and the ladies have undertaken to provide snpper. Strong committees wore set up to report to a meeting on Tuesday next. The. tickets were fixed at 2s Gd for gents and Is Gd for ladies.

The local bonling club is arranging a match, President v. vicePresident, for to-morrow fternoon, and the names of all members wishing to take part must be given to the secretary (.Mr S. M. Porritt) by two o'clock.

Mr Skoglund desires to acknowledge receipt from an anonymous donor of the sum of six shillings, sent through the post for the British and Belgian Relief Fund. " J .

Leave of absence lias been fairly general during the holidays at the Trentham camp, in order that the men may visit their relations. After the 10th (states the New Zealand Times) leave will not be granted except under exceptional circumstances.

For some time past Auckland has held the totalisator record for the Dominion, and fresh figures are now announced. During the afternoon the large sum of £67,257 10s went through the mechanical odds "adjuster, which is £lllO 10s more than the amount handled on Boxing Day, which was the previous best.

another accident by the boiling of water in a» treacle tin without perforating the lid was experienced in Whisky Gully on Boxing Day (says the Tapanui Courier). Mr J. A. Gillies was boiling water for refreshment in a tin that had not been perforated, when the steam exploded the vessel right in the unfortunate man's face, burning him badly, and necessitating removal to the hospital, where he still remains.

Not the least touching tribute to Lord Roberts was one addressed\by an old sergeant-major of R.H.A. to a squad of recruits he was drilling the morning of Lord Roberts' death. Turning to the men while they were taking an "easy" this grim old noncom, said huskily: "It's a pity about Lord Roberts. He was a fine soldier, and a great gentleman. I served with him, and I knew him. He died the best way. Don't forget he gave us the warning words. But we wouldn't listen to him. Eyes front."

The Stratford troop of Boy Scouts has been in camp at Huinga since 2nd January, and the boys are all well, and having a good time, states "Scout" in his notes. The camp is situated on the banks of the Mangaitu stream. The Camp routine is as follows: 6 a.m., rise and plunge in river, physical drill, and saluting the flag before breakfast; scouting instruction, swimming, and doing "good turns" fill up the rest of the day. "Lights out" is given at 9.30. Though rain fell heavily yesterday, all in the camp managed to keep fairly dry.

There were some peculiar circumstances connected with the death of a four-year-old boy named lan McLeod, a grandson of Mr John F. Kitching, of Nelson, on Christmas Day. The Colonist reports that after dinner the little fellow's uncle was smoking a cigarette. Childlike, the boy asked for one, and was handed one of the holders which are supplied with the packets. He was running outside with it in his moutE, when he drew it into his throat and was choked to death. Dr. Gibbs was summoned, and arrived within five minutes of the mishap, but every effort to save the little fellow's life was futile.

An interesting position is reported in connection with the Opunake wharf. The Jetty Company's wharf, which has been watched daily by a gentleman from New Plymouth in the interests of Mr Cave, who lately was successful against the company in obtaining damages was put up for sale by public auction by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company on Monday, and realised' £250, Mr Cave being the purchaser. The correspondent of the Daily News adds: Mr Cave i$ now the "boss" of our wharf, and it will he interesting to see how things will progress, in view of the fact that the Jetty Company's license has only one year to run. Where the Harbor Board comes in, and the shippers and importers' interests come in, future events may reveal.

At. the beginning of December no less than thirteen employees of the New Zealand Clothing Factory had been accepted by the'Defence Departand had either left with the Expeditionary Force, or were in training at Trentham, while three other of the firm's employees were then doing Fort duty. It is understood that since that date others have joined. Very generously these men are having half salaiy paid +o their relatives, and their positions are to be kept open, and if fit they will be taken on again. The "H. 8." branches are, however, well maintained, although the Company is doing its best to assist at this the greatest crisis in the Empire's historv.