LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 41, 19 February 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

On inquiring at the Hospital this morning we learn that the condition of J. Gavigan, an employee of the Public Works Department, who was injured a few days ago at Kohuratahi, is still regarded as critical.

Children were playing in their father’s garden on the Queen mill centre of Zeehan (Tas.) the other day, when they picked up a water-worn nugget of gold, weighing 2Joz. In the earlier days of Zeehan, several nuggets were found in the locality, but people have steadily ignored the. suggestion that gold existed in its free form on tlie Zeehan field.

Great preparations are being made by the natives of the Aotea and Kawhia. district to entertain To, ; Rata, the .Maori King, and his retinue during his visit next month. The Kawhia Settler says this will be the first official welcome Mahuta’s successor will have received from his subjects in this district, and one of the subjects to be discussed will be his recent visit to England.

At the Magistrate’s Court, Startford, this morning, before Mr W. G. Kenrick, S.M., judgment by default was given in tire following cases: Ryan v. A. E. Johnson, £4 15s, with £1 2s costs; Colson v. Lacey, £7 6s 7d (£1 6s 6d), Harkness and,Co. v. David Brown, £3 8s 8d (15s) ; Ellen Mounsey v. .Frank O’Loughlin, £l3 17s (£2 Os 6d). in the case Dr, Carbery (Mr Stanford) v. John Hooper, Tariki, a claim for £6 lis 6d, the defendant was ordered to pay £1 per month from March 21st.

Upon perusing a document which was before the Court to-day, Mr W. G, Kenrick, S.M., said it was impossible to say what a certain date mentioned in it was intended to be, as the writing was so bad. He commented on the fact and said that though the Court did not ask for pretty writting, they expected it to be clear. A leading legal luminary suggested that the Public Service Examination should be made more strict in regard to handwriting, but he collapsed when in formed that the writing in question was by a brother professional!

The working bee organised by the Stratford Home Defence Corps in the erection of the concrete wall for the miniature rifle range in the school gymnasium used “Star” brand cement, which was provided free by the manufacturers, Wilson’s Portland Cement Co., while Messrs Bellringer Bros, (local agents for “Star”) paid all incidental charges thereon.

Photographs of the fencing and boxing contestants in the bouts at Monday 7 night’s forthcoming Home Defence concert, together with the gold medal presented by the Mayor and Councillors .of Stratford, are on view in the H.B. window. Mr J. B. Hine, M.P., and Lieutenant Wilson will judge the contests.

The following cablegram has been received by the Prime Minister from the High Commissioner '(Hon Thomas Mackenzie): —“Please make known through the public press that gifts for the relief of distress when for special distribution'by me should be marked clearly, and full instructions foxdistribution should be sent to me by an early mail.”

Probably the most.reliable criterion regarding the financial status of the Dominion and the faith that is in us will always be found in the records of the land agency business. At any rate, these are a fair trade barometer at all times. It is gratifying, then, to learn from a prominent local land agent that never in the history of Stratford—the war notwithstanding— ■„ has business in his line been so brisk. Specially has this been the case, he says, since the beginning of the year, and, lie mentioned, incidentally, that during the past week his firm had put through commissions amounting to £SOO. The transactions extended over a wide area, being connected with land in the Waikato, farms in Tariki, and our own district, as well as town property, and big stock, deals.

At the Stratford Magistrate’s Court this morning, a slightly-built youth of sixteen years of age, named Frederick Paultou, was charged with (1) stealing on February 10th from the till of H. W. Kerr, Stratford, the sum of 9s; (2) with stealing a bicycle at New Plymouth, and (3) stealing a bicycle at Eltham. Accused elected to be dealt with summarily,, and pleaded guilty to all the three charges. Sergeant Dale said that the accused was an industrial school boy, and was licensed out to a farmer at Marton. He left this place, and went to Wanganui and New Plymouth. While*at the latter place he stole a bicycle and rode to Eltham on it. The police had discovered this bicycle on the roadside. At Eltham he stole another bicycle, and rode down to Hawera on it,, at which place it was recovered. On February 10th he was in Stratford, and was caught red-handed in the act of ’taking money from Mr Kerr’s till. Both the money and the two bicycles had been recovered. There was no previous charge of theft against the accused. The Magistrate (Mr W. G. Kenrick) said that the two charges of theft of bicycles were serious. He warned the accused that if he was not ready to do work, the jail was waiting for him. The accused was convicted and discharged for the theft of 9s, and on the other two charges he was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, being ordered to return to the Weraroa Training Farm.

As bearing upon the question of the alleged selling oh the troopships of gifts sent for distribution among the troopers, the Napier “Daily Telegraph,” quotes the following from a letter forwarded by a trooper recently invalided home:— “To take some instances, a certain private made his way up to the canteen aboard troopship No. 12, and asked for pack of playing cards. After opening his purchase, which cost one shilling, a pretty little sentence arrested his eyes, written upon the ‘Joker’ card the gist, of which was “Wishing you good luck, etc. from Miss

Whangarei Patriotic Fund.” .The same thing applies to a writing-pad bought for the sum of sixpence at the canteen. Tins pf tobacco bore similar messages sold on board troopship No. 10. One such I have to hand at present, found in a small parcel of socks and handkerchiefs bought on board troopship No. 5 by Private C. Carter, of Dunedin, the wording of which was “The Green Island ' Girls Friendly Society wish you God speed and a safe return, 17-8-14.” These are only a few instances that came under mv notice.”