LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 26, 1 February 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Executive of the Stratford Traders’ Association notify that all Stratford shops will remain closed on Thursday, February 4th, on account of the Stratford annual holiday and beach picnic at New Plymouth.

Members of the Stratford Band were treated with exceptionally hue weather yesterday afternoon when they gave a concert at the hospital, a good crowd being assembled. A feature of the programme was the playing of the National airs of the Allies The collection amounted to £1 2s 9d. The Hospital Board’s chairman (Mr McAllister), on behalf of the staff and patients, thanked the Band, who were afterwards entertained by the nurses to afternoon tea.

The following telegrams have passed between the Stratford Chamber of Commerce and the Government: From the Stratford Chamber of Commerce to tbe Hon. Mr Massey—“ There is a very serious blockage at the Waitara meat works; we strenuously urge that sufficient space be reserved for the next boat due on February 8; the situation is greatly affecting the whole province.” The Premier replied as follows: “I am making inquiries to ascertain whether it is possible to do anything to relieve the congestion at Waitara.”

Over 13.000 calves have been inoculated to date in the Stratford district. Inspector Bccre, of the Government Stock Department, reports a decrease in the number of calves this season as compared to last, but on the other hand their condition is much superior. Good steers are scarce, while a liner lot of heifers Inspector Beere does not remember having seen in the district. It is expected that some thousands of calves will yet come forward for inoculation, as the season does not close for weeks.

The war Is having its effect on the price of liquor in Auckland. Mr <T. H. Pagni, secretary of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, states that, despite increased wages and the intu’Se. cost of eoinino lities during the last seven or eight years, the trade has never put up prices, but the effect of the war-risk charges caused the association to set up a committee to go into the question with a view of slightly increasing the cost of spirits taken away from the hotels. Liquor of all descriptions consumed on the premises will he sold as formerly. English beer has increased in cost, hut no extra charge will he made.

Much comment has been made of late anent the internment of Germans, whether naturalised or not, on Somes Island. “The Defence authorities are no doubt the best judges in regard to what course shall be adopted in the interests of the community,”

said a Wellington resident to a Xew Zealand Times representative, ‘but the action of a certain German, who has control of a large mercantile business in Xew Zealand, discharging employees as a set-off against their patriotic tendencies, should not he tolerated for a moment. This class of individual should either be interned

nr given his passports after Ids papers—if he possesses any—have been cancelled.”

At the Parish Hall to-night, the Bov. E. L. Harvie is to be farewcilcd by the parishioners.

During the month of Janupary, 33 births, 7 deaths, and 2 marriages wore recorded in the Stratford district.

Mails close in Stratford for Auckland, via New Plymouth, on Tuesdays and Fridavs until further notice.

The annual meeting of the Stratford Mountain Club will be hold in the A. and P. Office to-night, when a large attendance is requested.

Members of the Home Defence Rifle Corps are reminded that there will be a parade at the school gymnasium tonight. In addition to drill being gone through, a lecture will be delivered.

Justices Hosking and Stringer have been appointed to try the Northern Maori election petition, and will very likely sit at Whangarei about 3rd March, reports the Press Association.

The Ho. J. Allen (Minister of Education), who is at present in Dunedin, says (according to a Press Association telegram) that when he returns to Wellington one of his first duties will be to appoint commissioners to settle the boundaries' of the Education districts.

The rainfall in Stratford for January, as kindly supplied by Mr T. Harry Penn, amounted to 4.61iu. The heaviest fall was on the 9th, when 1.G3 in. was recorded, and the lowest .02 on the 11th. Rain fell on eleven days as follows :—4th, .59in ; 6th, .09in; 9th, 1.63 in ; 11th, ,02in; 13th, .22in; 14th, .09in; 21st, .38in; 22nd, l.liu; 25th, .03in; 31st, ,04in.

At the Magistrate’s Court on Friday, for driving after sunset with only one light, John Falvey, of Stratford, was fined 10s and 7s costs. H. Webb (Stratford) was fined 5s and 7s costs for riding a bicycle on the footpath in Cordelia Street. For driving without lights Leslie Tichbon (Stratford) was fined 20s with costs 7s.

A team of ten men from the Stratford Home Defence Rifle Corps, i nder Captain McMillan, visited Cardiff on Saturday night, at the invi. tation of the Cardiff Miniature .Rifle Club, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. The Cardiff team proved too good for the Stratford men, beating them by 47 points. The highest scorer for Cardiff was Morrison with 22, while Colour-Sergeant T. Richardson (Stratford) put up the best score of the evening with 23.

Returns of the number of persons committed to the Roto Roa and Pakatoa inebriate home in each year from 1909 to 1913, inclusive, and the cost to the State, have been supplied by the Department of Justice in response to a request made by Mr J. McCombs, M.P., before the close of the session. The figures show that in 1909 the committals to Pakatoa numbered 44 men, and in the following year 81 men. The island was then reserved for the women, and the commottals in 1911, 1912 and 1913 were 44, 26, and 17 respectively. The sending of offenders to Roto Roa dates from 1911; in that year the number committed amounted to 105 men, in 1912 to 110 men, and in 1913 to 114 men. The maintenance, travelling expenses, and other expenses in connection with both islands were, for the separate years: —£947 17s 7d, £1414 10s Id, £3678 12s, £3848 15s, and £2943 11s 2d.

As a place for a holiday, Senator M'Dougall (Australia) says Norfolk Island is incomparable. Its people are the most hospitable to be found anywhere. All the houses are open to visitors and tea and refreshments are always ready. Its roads, traversing through pretty mountains and valleys, are lined on each side in many places with beautiful trees, such as oranges, lemons, bananas, and passion fruit. And all the fruit on these trees is going to waste because of the want of market facilities. Some enterprising Australians are at present endeavouring to open up a trade with the Commonwealth in lemon juice and passion fruit pulp, but, unfortunately, they are being handicapped for the want of better shipping and loading facilities. No member of the visiting party, of which there were three Senators and Seven M’s.H.R., could promise anything, in reply to requests, on behalf of the present Federal Government, but all were satisfied that something ought to bo done to make this beautiful and fertile little island a valuable asset to the Commonwealth .