LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 43, 22 February 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Nearly GO per cent, of the .candidates at the recent matriculation examintion for New Zealand failed.

As illustrating the increasing popularity of the Stratford Mountain House, the following forthcoming trips may be mentioned :• —Stratford High School girls, during this week; Stratford High School boys, next week; Eltham Band, March 14th; and Stratford Band, March 21st.

An Auckland Press Association message to-day states that the crew of the Matatua, which arrived from London yesterday, include ten Belgian refugees, when they joined the vessel, had onlv the clothes they wore.

About 9.15 this morning tho Fire Brigade received a call to suppress an outbreak of fire in Portia Street;' On the brigade’s arrival, it was found that the fire had been extinguished, and that the only damage done was to a hedge. The fire was caused through flames from a copper fire igniting the hedge. The occupant of the house was Mr Green.

To-morrow (Tuesday) will be the hundredth anniversary of the birth of die first white child in New Zealand, the son of Mr and Mrs John King, of Rangihora, in the Bay of Islands. The boy was christened by Marsden on February 24th, 1815. The second white child to be horn in Xew Zealand was a. girl, the daughter of Mr and Mrs William Hall, a ship-builder and his wife brought here by Marsden. This event occurred on May 28. ISIS. It is interesting to note that the first European child to be born in the South Island is still alive. He is Captain John Guard, of Port Underwood, who was born at To Awaiti, in ’Tory Channel.

Weather forecast. —The indications ! are for variable and strong breezes, I easterly moderate to strong winds ! prevailing. Expect dull weather, with 1 much mist and fog in parts. Much 1 rain is to be expected. Barometer falling. There was visiting the State Farm on Wednesday (says the Patea Press) an Australian farmer, who is farming in a big way there, having some 20,000 head of cattle alone. His herd of dairy cows are allowed to run in a paddock which is just seven miles long by live miles wide. He was most interested in the crops of lucerne at the farm, and intends giving this plant a trial on his return. An unusual incident marked the opening of the swimming carnival at Napier on Monday, at the municipal baths. Mayor Vigor Brown, M.P., in ’ declaring the meeting open, spoke from the low spring-board, and after his formal declaration, announced that a visiting “sport” had offered to give £o to the Hospital if he (bis Worship) would dive off the board and swim a length. “Here goes ’for the fiverJ” concluded Mr Brown, as he dived in, amidst applause. When he completed the length the applause was even greater.

Judging by the programme, what appears to be one of the best variety entertainments that Stratford has ever ■seen, is to take place to-night at 8 o’clock in the To\Vn Ball, under the auspices of the Stratford Home Defence Rifle Club. The singers and other performers are right in the front rank of Stratford artists. The object for which the concert is given is also excellent, namely—to obtain funds for the erection of a minature rifle range. No one should miss seeing the fencing championship, which promises to be keenly contested.