LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 67, 22 March 1915, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The plans of the proposed Municipal Bnildnigs are now on view in the Mew Zealand Clothing Go's, window. If weather conditions do not again interfere, the Midhirst picnic and .ports will .be held in the factory grounds to-morrow. A dance will be hold in the evening. Farmers interested in the establishment of freezing works for Taranaki ai-e reminded of the meeting to bo held in Mr Newton King's horse bazaar, Miranda Street, Stratford, to-morrow (Tuesday) , afternoon, at four o'clock sharp. The Samoan Contingent which returned to Wellington to-day under Colonel Fulbon was accorded a hea:t'>.v welcome (states the Press Association). The men were addressed by the "I 'remier (Hon. Mr Massey), the Minister for Defence (Hon. Mr Allen), and the Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke), each of whom referred to the service rendered to the Empire in the occupation of Samoa. It is understood that a majority of the men have volunteered for service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and will leave with the reinforcements drafts inHhe near future. The return. ed men will be taken to Trentham this afternoon, and will be granted leave to-night, until probably after Easter.

In the Town Hall on Saturday night, in response to a special request, the Gherniavskys played the Russian, French and English National Anthems, and the audience rose en masse,when the opening chords of the Russian Anthem were struck. The question has been discussed in certain newspapers in the Dominion as to whether this is the correct thing to do, but there can be no- doubt that whether correct or not, the compliment is a graceful one, and should be more often shown.

- The Niagara arrived at Auckland at ten o'clock this morning several hours late. "Thedelay was' dlie to' the centre propeller becoming useless on Saturday evening through the shaft .sinking a fraction of an inch in the stern bearing; The vessel made an average of fifteen knots on the two : remaining propellers. On arrival, a diver examined the shaft, but it is hot yet decided whether the steamer shall be docked. The Captain says he could proceed to Vancouver on two screws, the disabled screw, which is driven by a low-pressure turbine, being merely auxiliary.—P.A.

Eric Street and Sehvyn Hodges, the youthful Auckland burglars whose capture a few. eights ago, resulted in a revelation of Lhoir previous exploits in crime during the two months, oamo before Justice Hosking at the Supreme Court for sentence. The Press Association states that both were ordered reformative treatment not to exceed five years, the Judge remarking that each would be taught a trade and have the opportunity to earn sufficient money to make an honest start when they left gaol.

At Greymouth, Private Gibbons, who was kept in police custody from Monday till Friday last, was court-mar-lialled at Totara Flat camp on Saturday, being charged with—(l) absenting himself from camp without leave; (2) breaking away from the military police when under arrest, thereby creating a disturbance in camp; (3) assaulting a sentry while the latter was in the execution of his duty. Accused pleaded guilty to charges 1 and 2, but calimed there was no opportunity of obtaining the evidence of a witness who had returned to Canterbury on the third charge. The latter was. withdrawn, and he was sentenced to fourteen, days' military detention on Ripa Island. The Press Association, adds that the camp, of the !.3th Regiment 'was struck on Saturday.