LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 57, 10 March 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Madame Sarah Bernhardt, the wellknown actress, is convalescent, states a Paris cablegram.

A progressive double bowling tournament will l)e played on llie local bowling green to-morrow afternoon, commencing at 2 o’clock sharp.

The Manuka has arrived at Sydney from ’Frisco, states the cables- to day. The Raima has sailed for New Plymouth from Newcastle.

A Gazette extraordinary issued yesterday contains an Order-in-Council prohibiting the export of veal and rabbits, except to the United Kingdom or other specified places in a specified vessel.

The stray dog to all appearances seems to be nobody’s friend, but at the Borough Council last night it was stated that the business of keeping and finally selling thes-e strays was a paying proposition.

There is a good deal of complaint at the exceedingly bad state of the railway crossings at Fenton Street and Regan Street. The occupants of motor cars and other vehicles get a had shaking up at both these points when about to cross the line.

The Borough Council last evening decided that His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. P. Kirkwood) should shortly call a public meeting in the Town Hall to lay the particulars of the building loan before ratepayers, when, every opportunity will be given to discuss the matter.

At last night’s meeting of the Borough Council, His Worship the Mayor suggested that the plans of the new municipal offices should bo exhibited in some shop window in the town, and this was agreed to.

Everything is well arranged for the Garden Fete to be held on the croquet lawns, Victoria Park, to-morrow, in aid of the Belgian Fund. A bowling novelty, in the shape of a drawing competition, will be conducted throughout the afternoon and evening, and croquet and tennis will also be indulged in. The Municipal Baud will be in attendance.

The Maori sports meeting to be held at Waitara to-morrow is being well patronised by athletes, a record number of entries being received. Mr A. W. Dormer, a champion from Auckland, will be one of the contestants. For a good day’s outing the Atiawa meeting to-morrow can be recommended.

A Press Association telegram from Christchurch to-day reads: At a meeting of cerditors in the estate of Raymond Hepworth, share-broker, debtor’s statement showed a deficiency of £1175 12s l()d. The bankrupt said he had no means, no assets, and no prospects. Counsel for petitioned creditor asked the assignee to take advice whether the bankrupt kept proper books. He was a registered accountant, and the matter was serious. The assignee

agreed to

Attention is directed to t Jig forthcoming harvest festival celebrations of the local Salvationists, which takes place on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday next in the Hall in Fenton Street. The Salvation Army’s work in opr own town must appeal to all who have the moral and spiritual interests of the people at heart. Even more than their public work, the way in which the officers visit the sick and the dying; and care for the very poorest, merits practical sympathy and support. The presence of friends will be welcome at these special services, and gifts oi produce, useful articles, or donations in money will be gratefully received by any Salvationist.

The Moderate League deputalionised the Minister of Defence yesterday in favor of the establishment of a wet cantech at Trentham. The law in its present state forbids it. The Stratford Borough Council have* decided to replace the photographs of former councils which adorned the walls of the old municipal chambers, and which were destroyed in the recent fire. The offer of Mr .McAllister, of Stratford, in this direction was gladly availed of by members at the meeting last night. At the parade of the Stratford Home Defence Corps on Monday evening, the balance-sheet was adopted, - )® great satisfaction being expressed aV* the state of the Corps’ finance. Members are reminded that shooting will ;ake place at the range to-morrow ifteraoon, and that at 8 p.m. the niuiature rifle range at the School gymnasium will be opened by His iVorship the Mayor (Mr W. P. Kirkwood).

Cr. Fredric to a reporter of the Stratford Evening Post: Yon reported me to have said; “I did not care a enss for the ratepayers.” I think in justice to me you should have said this remark was made in reply to Cr. King’s charge that voting against the water charges was .for electioneering purposes, and that ray remark applied to the votes of ratepayers, and not the ratepayer.—“ That is a distinction without a difference!” says the report-

It is not necessary to give residents of Stanley Road a reminder of the annual school picnic in Mr Hosldng’s paddock to-morrow, and of the social in the evening. A sheep given by Mr G. Songster will form the subject of a guessing competition. Messrs Robert Masters and E. Marfell (members of the Education Board), expect to be present, and also Mr J. B. Hine, M.P. A good musical programme lias been arranged for the evening function, and Mrs Massey, of Stratford, will contribute vocal items, in addition to local talent. The whole of the takings are to be devoted to the needy ' Belgian Fund.

A serious accident happened this morning to Mr W. T. Pearce, a wellknown Toko farmer, while crossing the railway line at the Waiwera Road crossing with his milk waggon and two horses. It appears that Mr Pearce did not notice a ballast train approaching, and before he could pull up, the train ran into the waggon, Mr Pearce being thrown out, sustaining a broken leg and other injuries. Dr. Steven, who was at Toko at the time, attended the injured man and lie was brought to Stratford Hospital in a ballast train as soon as possible. Both horses were so badly injured that they had to bo destroyed.

The Borough Council inspector (Mil* W. Barlow) has done his work so well that now “there is nothing in the job.” The inspector reported this state of affairs, in effect, in a letter to the Council last evening. “The streets have been practically clear of the cattle nuisance for some time, and the income derived from this part of my duties has fallen to almost nothing,” he wrote. The inspector asked for an allowance of ten shillings per week, giving as an additional reason that he would then be enabled to keep a horse, and so deal more effectively with tiro pounding of various animals —The question was held over fo rtlie consideration of the incoming Council.

“Would you like to do an hour’s walk for either threepence or sixpence?” This was the knotty problem set by the local poundkeeper in a letter to the Borough Council last evening. It appears that the sums mentioned are paid for the impounding of a Cow or a horse respectively, and the amount of time involved in walking to and from his house to the new pound, set the aforementioned official thinking hard. So he decided to ask the Council to build a cottage near the pound or allow him more money, say, so much per month or per week—A cold matter-of-fact Council merely set up a committee to enquire into the matter and report to the next meet,i»g.

The Hon. dames Allen, Minister of Defence, has found it necessary to make special reference to the wrongful dealing in arms, accoutrements, ammunition, and military clothing which are the property of the New Zealand Government, as it has come to the knowledge of the Defence Department that certain persons have thus wrongfully dealt. It is the intention of the Department, therefore, to prosecute as the law directs. When any property belonging to the Defence Department comes into the possession or keeping of any person not entitled to he in possession thereof, such person should immediately notify the fact to the nearest Area Sergt-Major, Defence Office, or Police Station.