LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 55, 8 March 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A deputation of ratepayers will wait upon the Borough Council to-night in connection with the water rate proposals. A full discussion is anticipated.

A grand garden fete in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund will be held on Thursday next in .Victoria Park, by the Stratford Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club. There will be many attractions, and the Municipal Band will be in attendance.

The Eltham Brass Band is booked for the Stratford Mountain House on Sunday. The road to this popular resort has never been better, and Mr Williams, the popular house manager, expects to cater for a record crowd.

The third benefit at His Majesty's Pictures on Saturday afternoon for tho Belgian Relief Fund resulted in £4 6s 9d being handed over. The Electric Light Company made a gift of the lighting.

The committee of the Stratford Homo Defence Corps are at present rounding up those members who have not been attending parades. They particularly request members to attend the parade to be held this evening, at 7.30, at the Defence office, as a balance-sheet is to be presented and other business discussed.

A feat accomplished by a certain member of the "Humpty Dumpty" Company on Mt. Egmont the other day is rather unique. Though only possessed of one leg of flesh, the other being partly artificial, the sporty theatrical reached a point above the snowline at the Stratford Mountain House. As evidence of the trip and to quickly silence all "doubting Thomases," the daring climber was photographed in the snow by Mr Williams.

The schedule of marks in the recent matriculation examination for NeAv Zealand is just to hand, showing that 1462 candidates sat. Excepting for music (a subject taken by a few) the marks allotted were low. One Otago student did succeed in getting 88 per cent, of marks in physical science, and three students 87 per cent, in mathematics. Of these three, one is a Christcliurch student, one of Auckland, and the other is Master Albert Anderson, of Stratford . Master Anderson (who will not be 14 years of age until next month) put up an excellent performance, and holds a very creditable position, especially considering he was competing in an examination where the age of the candidates were up to 21 years.

Two moiikeys, which had escaped from captivity, created excitement in Symonds street, Auckland, on Thursday evening (says the Herald). One of them stole a cucumber from a fruiterer's shop, and the pair then took refuge on a verandah, from which they defied all efforts to effect a capture. Later in the evening they were still at large, much to the annoyance of residents in that locality, who objected to having to close their windows. The monkeys were stated to be owned by a Kingsland resident, then on holiday.

The position of the United States as a naval Power is probably unique. The Washington Government refused to become a party to the Treaty of I'aris, one of the most important effects of which was to abolish the use of privateers. Consequently, if engaged in a naval war, Uncle Sam can not only commission privateers under the old form, but he could capture British goods under the neutral flag, while Great Britain, though not bound towards them, being still bound to the neutrals, could not do so in face of promised immunity to neutral ships. In point of fact, the Americans have studiously refused to be bound, and have kept their hands free to enable them to use their fleet, as and how they like, when engaged in hostilities. At the same time the position they have taken up gives them no rights, at periods like the present, when not at war themselves, and they have con-

sequently to deal with each case that may arise on its merits, and obtain what compensation they may from those that damage their trade. Their prestige as a nation is quite another thing, and may be left to posterity to judge.

The Operatic Society holds « practice to-night at 8 o'clock.

A large crowd attended at King Edward Park yesterday afternoon to hear the Municipal Brass Band. Excellent weather prevailed, and the programme was greatly appreciated.

Colonel A. W. Robin, Commandant of the Forces, is due in New Plymouth to-night on a short visit of inspection of the camp of the 11th Regiment at Waiwakaiho.

Weather Forecast.- A storm appears to be approaching from the west. Freshening to northerly heavy gale. Increasing haze and cloudiness for change. Barometer falling shortly. Bates, Wellington.

At a meeting of the Toko Settlors' Sports Committee on Saturday, the tender of Mrs M. A. Brooking for the luncheon booth rights in connection with the sports on the 25th March was accepted. Mrs Bianchi was engaged to supply the dance music in the evening. Altogether, the sports day promises to he a big success, and the public are reminded to note the 25th as an eventful day at Toko.

The local branch of the Salvation Army hold special harvest festival thanksgiving services in their Hall, Fenton Street, on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday next. The services on Sunday commence at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Hall will be decorated, and on Monday and Tuesday evenings special programmes will be rendered. After Tuesday night's programme the good things gathered together will be auctioned, and the proceeds of the week end gatherings devoted to the local and general work. Public assistance will be much appreciated.