LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 38, 16 February 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Sydney cablegram to-day states that the heat wave continue*? unabated.

The Hawera Star state? that the work of constructing the Opunake line is to be pushed on vigorously. A temporary junction with the main line at Te Itoti is to be put in for the conveyance of materials, of which quantities have already been landed at the station.

A Wellington Press Association telegram to-day states: As the outcome of representations by the Social Democratic Party, the Petone Borough Council resolved to request the Government to pass legislation to enable the Council to make and sell bread.

At the inquest on Tarangi Mold, who was drowned at the Port (Napier) while bathing, the Coroner returned a verdict of ‘‘Accidentally Drowned,” states the Press Association. After giving his verdict, the Coroner warmly commended the lad Ronald Stevens, who. although only 111 years of age, bravely risked his life to save a grown man, and commending the incident to the notice of the Humane Society.

A recent visitor to the Whangamomona district who is in the habit of

making periodical trips through tiiat country, states that there are fewer meii at work on the railway extension than he has ever known for the past eight years. He was also informed that the progress made during the past three years had not been anything approaching that made during the previous three years. The* matter may be one for the member tor Stratford to enquire into.

The following statement lias been made by the Non - Zealand Society for the Protection of Women and Children Tiie committee of the society wishes to protest against the .statement made by the Hon. Mr Allen, that the Government will not compel the members of the Expeditionary Force to make provision for their wives and children. The committee wishes to draw the attention of the Minister to the action of the Canadian Government in refusing to accept

men without the consent of their wives, and the proclamation of the Australian Government compelling volunteers to make provision for their wives, children, or illegitimate children before enlisting. The committee hopes that the New Zealand Government will take means to protect the women and children of Xew Zealand.

The annual meeting of the Toko Settlors’ Picnic and Sports Asociation will be held in Toko uir Friday evening. The following amounts are to be paid out on the 20th hist, by the local dairy factories: Ngaere £3355, Lowgarth £2079, Cardiff £2352, Stratford £IO,IOB. Tire Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce passed resolutions protesting against the action of the Governmeent in ordering railway engines from the United States. The Ballance Dairy Company made record payments to suppliers yesterday. totalling nearly £‘lo.ooo. Some

The Ballance Dairy Company made record payments to suppliers yesterday, totalling nearly £IO,OOO. Some of the individual cheques were very big (states the Press Association), one amounting to over £(300.

In connection with the Stratford Co-operative Ruilding Society ballot for £4OO (2nd group) which took place last evening, Mr W. W. H. Piubey, of Stratford, was successful in securing the free advance.

Notification appears in another column that the District Electors List of the Borough is open for inspection during office hours until Monday, 22ml February, and objectors to the list must bo sent in to the Town Clerk on or before Ist March. During the week (states the Ohura Advocate) surveyors have been pegging out sites on the Government reserve facing main street, Ohura. Those sections are earmarked for police station and other public buildings as required. At a general meeting of the Stratford Operatic Society in the Parish Hall last night, it was resolved that work on “Merrie England,” the opera to lie produced by the Society, should be strenuously gone on with. It is the intention to stage the opera in about three mouths’ time.

About fifteen men left by the mail train this morning for the Trentham camp. They were a likely-looking party of men, and the majority came from the outlying districts. Strange to say, the names of the men were not procurable from the Defence authorities this morning.

At a meeting of the University College Council in Auckland yesterday (states the Press Association), the proposal to establish a school of architecture was approved. The proposal to establish a school of journalism was rejected, but notice of motion was given to enable the latter proposal to be reconsidered.

The Stratford school hoys, under the instruction of Mr Ellis, teacher of Agriculture, are collecting specimens of the local noxious weeds. .One of the classes this morning Mine on a patch of Californian thistle, and the character, growth, and methods of eradication of this dreaded pest formed the subject of a subsequent lesson.

Weather forecast.—The indications are for variable and strong' breezes, but northerly moderate to strong prevailing and freshening after about 16 hours. There is a prospect of fair to cloudy weather, with increasing haze and cloudiness, and a change later. Barometer little movement, but falling after about 16 hours. Bates, Wellington.

Despite a protest made by a large deputation from the Ministers Association, the Christchurch City Council last night granted permission to the Christchurch Orchestral Society to hold a concert on one Sunday per month for the year, the profits to go to charity. The Press Association states that the Mayor said the concerts were uplifting and inspiring, and kept the people off the streets.

At a representative meeting of Auckland business people affected by the high price of leather, it was decided to request the Government to prohibit during the currency of war the export of hides to any countries other than British possessions and the countries of Britain’s allies. It was decided to approach business people in other New Zealand centres, with a request that they should support the appeal to the Government.

A chopping match took place at Gisborne on Friday afternoon between F. Wilson (of Tasmania), and Amos (of Xew Zealand), for a purse of £2OO. It is stated to have been the biggest competition of the kind that has been held in Xew Zealand, and considerable interest was taken in the event. A 10-inch standing white pine block was used. F. Wilson chopped in splendid style, and proved an easy winner, completing his task in Imin 7 3-osec.

The Atiawa Maori Sports Club will hold its fourth annual gathering of the Maori clans on the Recreation Ground, Waitara, on Thursday, March 11th. A first rate programme has been arranged, including foot racing, sawing, sheep guessing, poi dancing, Maori dancing competitions, and other interesting events. Mr Isaac Bailey is acting as bon, secretary, and nominations will close with him on Saturday. 'February 27tb. All handicaps will bo declared in the Stratford Rost in due course. Half the proceeds are to be devoted to the Belgian Fund.