LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 50, 2 March 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Owing to an-epidemic of diphtheria in Waitara, it was decided by the Waitara school committee to close the school for a week.

Several burglaries have been reported in Wanganui during the last few days. In one case (states a P.A. wire) £l3 worth of jewellery was taken from a ,private residence.

The proceeds of the Tuna school picnic to he held on the 26th, and concert and dance in the evening, \ will be devoted to the Belgian Relief Fund. The school children have donated their last year’s and this year’s prize money to this worthy cause.

It is helihved (states the Press Association) that both the Wanganui Jockey Club and Trotting Club were swindled extensively by means of faked tote tickets. It is understood that the amount involved altogether runs into £SOO or £6OO.

Weather Forecast.—Southerly decreasing winds and backing by west to north, then freshening again. There is a prospect of fair to cloudy weather with increasing haze and cloudiness. Barometer little movement, but falling shortly.

The, estates of 184 deceased persons were certified for stamp duty during February, the largest being that of James John Tame (Wellington) £117,767. The following were the New ’Plymouth estates; Clement W. Govett £61,381, Andrew Gray £9,777, Stephen B. White £3037, Agnes Syme £2035, Mary Dempton £1653,

The Stratford Operatic Society held a practice in St. Andrew’s Hall last night. Good work was done,- the members taking up practice with a vim. Several new members were registered. . The conductor (Mr T. G. Grubb) says “Merrie England” will be staged in a few months if members assiduously attend the practices.

Owing to a “gift” machine finding its way into the wrong mart on Saturday, a local business man used some heated words concerning a public official, and, it is alleged, called him a “German!” The sewing machine could not record what was said, but there were many people about who had ears to hear! Now, it is alleged about town thay an opportunity will be given to the offending party to explain what he meant to the Court.

We draw special attention to the Garden Fete which is being held on Wednesday afternoon and evening in the Presbyterian Manse • grounds, in aid of the Belgians. It will be opened at 2.30 by Mr Hine, M.P. There will be various sports competitions, and a splendid musical programme will bo given by the F.gmont Club orchestra, Misses Mackey, Sangster, * Fisides, Hopkins and Messrs McDonald (Hawera), Malone and Douglas. Mr Clayton will give an exhibition of the interesting instrument, the harmonigraph.

There are few gatherings more interesting than a Sheep Dog Trial. The East Hoad trials, to be held at To Wera on, Thursday and Friday, 25th and 2Gth March, is certain to

draw a large company. The first event starts at 8 a.m., and the attractive programme arranged by the Club is worthy of every possible support.' Special prizes are offered, including the Club’s silver cup for dogs scoring most points. In the capable hands of Mr V. H. Nolan (hon. secretary) and a good working committee, this year’s gathering should be in every way a success. On the concluding day of the Trials, a social and dance will be held in the Te Wera Hall, when the prizes will be presented to the winners.

At a. meeting of the Midhirst Settlers’ Sports Committee, lield on Friday evening, Mr P. J. Petersen presided. it was decided to hold the sports on Thursday, 18th inst., on the ground adjoining the factory. The whole of the proceeds are to be devoted to tin' Patriotic Fund. This is all the more gratifying, as it’will be remembered the Midhirst Sports have already contributed t2O to this fund. Preliminary arrangements are well in hand for a successful day, and it is confidently hoped there will be a large gathering.

The annual Catholic social will be held in the Stratford Town Hall on 17th March (St. Patrick’s Night).

Rumors are afloat concerning the forthcoming Municipal elections. In this connection it is stated that our present Mayor, Mr AY. P. Kirkwood, will not seek re-election, and also that at least three members of the present Council, viz., Crs. King, Masters and Richards will voluntarily drop out of the Municipal family. As far as the

Mayoralty is concerned, inquiry proved that the rumor is correct, as His Worship has decided owing to the exigencies of other affairs, to retire from public activity, but that it is his intention to shortly state tire present Municipal position for the information of burgesses. Likely aspirants for Mayoral honors are already being mentioned, and among these are freely stated to be Messrs J. W. Boon and R.JVIcK. Morison.

A sad case occupied the attention of Mr Rawson, S.M., at Auckland on Monday the correspondent of the Lyttelton Times), when a young married woman was charged with the theft of postal notes to the value of 12s 6d from a postal packet addressed to her husband. It appeared that the woman’s husband is secretary of a Hamilton friendly society lodge, and bis wife frequently assisted in the secretarial duties. In September a letter containing 12s 6d (a subscription) was delivered at the house of her husband as secretary. This was opened by accused, and the baker, calling shortly afterwards with an account for bread, she gave him the postal note and received the change without mentioning the fact to *>er husband, who placed the matter in the hands of the police. After lengthy investigation the theft was traced to the wife, who, on being arrested, admitted settling certain household accounts with the money. In answer to the magistrate as to why her husband was not present in court, she said lie was at home minding the baby. He sometimes kept her short of, money. Mr Rawson said the case was somewhat extraordinary. He advised accused to consult her husband in all future financial difficulties.