LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 73, 27 March 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Report of the Egmont National Park Hoard meeting will be found on page 8; "Cattle on the Mountain" on tilt second page: and Breuotv v. McCluggage Court case on page 7.

Danish butter is quoted at 140 s to 1-lMs, states a London cablegram.

Entries for the Gymkhana closo at tho A. and P. Association's office at eight o'clock this evening.

At tho Magistrate's Court, Stratford, this morning, a first offending female inebriate was convicted and discharged.

The Borough Council notifies that| the old pound at the corner of Celia, and Miranda Streets has been abolished, and that the Pound is now situate on the septic tank site, near the Swansea Road bridge. ' .

The Department of Labor have decided to dispose of some fourteen sections of land formerly held for the purpose of building workers' dwellings. These sections are situated on the Swansea Road.

A very large and handsome lifesized doll magnificently dressed is to be sold by auction on Saturday week, the 3rd April, in aid of the Belgian Fund. The doll i s now on view at Lamason's auction mart.

The 1 milk vendors of Stratford are raising the price of milk as from April Ist. Talking to a "Post" representative, one of the vendors stated they were forced to put the price up, as the farmers from whom they buy have advanced the price for the winter supply.

As the result of a fall from a bridge in the Park, Mv A. A. Cuthbertsou is in a serious condition at the Stratford Hospital. It is understood he had to be resuscitated upon being taken from the water, but serious injuries to the head necesitated his removal to the hospital.

The dance in the Te Wera Hall last night as a conclusion to the successful two clays' dog trials there was very enjoyable. The prizes won during the meeting were presented. Mrs Bianchi played the dance music, and Mrs Brooking (Stratford) was in charge of supper arrangements.

A child named Raymond Enwright, fourteen months old, whose parents reside at Russell Street, Ponsonby, ate the soap in the bathroom, and despite medical attention, died shortly afterwards (states the Press Association). An analysis of the soap ( will be made prior to the inquest.

' The menagerie procession to West End (Kawaroa Park), New Plymouth, on Easter Monday will be a great affair. On arrival at the Park the programme of foot races, novelty events, trials of skill, tight-rope walking, band concert, etc., will be set afoot, and various champions will give exhibitions during the swimming sports in the baths.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. P. Kirkwood), who recently announced his intention of presenting a rifle to the Boy Scouts for use at the miniature rifle range, is procuring one of the latest "short pattern mark 3" rifles, which are at posent being used by the British Army at the front. None of the kind is procurable in the Dominion, and a cable has been sent ordering'one, together \rith two others of the same pattern as is on hand at the range. Arrangements have been made for the Boy Scouts to use the Defence Club's rifles for practice until the new arm conies to hand.

Those who love Mount Eginont havo

got their own schemes for popularising Him, but they must lie puny efforts compared to the great idea of Mr Percy Smith, of Now Plymouth. This is no less than . u carriage drive round the Mountain, which Mr Smith considers is quite practicable. Yesterday, while at Dawson Falls, taking a map of the Mountain from his pocket, he dilated upon the magnificence of such a tourist triumph. "It would he the best drive in the world," lie remarked enthusiastically. "There would lie eight or ten miles of the grandest forest scenery anyone could see.

, Weather Forecast.—The indications' are for variable and moderate breezes, but northerly strong winds prevailing. There is a prospect of fair to cloudy weather, but cloudy to overcast at times. The barometer has a falling tendency.

A trait of the Maori character, which is universally accepted in Taranaki, was quaintly put by the chairman of the Egmont National Park Board yesterday, in dealing with the offer of a Native to keep a certain road in order. Mr Bullard said: "A Maori's idea of constant effort is not very definite!"

Advice has been received in Auckland (states the Press Association) that as a result of the appeal made by Commissioner Hodder, of the Salvation Army, for £IO,OOO to assist the Army in England in housing refugees from Belgium and caring for wounded soldiers, the people of New Zealand have subscribed £H,oOO. This amount was cabled to London, and General Brainwell Booth, in acknowledging the gift, says it has removed a heavy burden and placed New Zealand in the front rank- of the Army's helpers.

"It is a shame! It is a -beautiful reserve ! It is the finest I have seen in Australasia," said Mr Percy Smith, of New Plymouth, at the meeting of the National Park Board yesterday, when* 5

referring to the destruction of trees in the Park by cattle. "Near Sydney," he continued, "there is a place of about 36,000 acres—it is a beautiful place, certainly—and they talk about it being the finest in Australasia, but here we have a Park double the size and more beautiful."

On Thursday last members of the Masonic fraternity met in Stratford to found and consecrate a new Royal Arch Chapter to be known as "Egmont." The ceremony was performed by the M.E. Brother H. J. Williams, P. First Grand Principal, and M.E. Brother the Rev. T. Porritt, P. Grand Principal and Grand Chaplain, assisted by other Royal Arch visitors. Severah. members of Craft Lodges were admitted to the Chapter, an institution which members of the mystic craft have long desired in these parts.

The Whangamomona correspondent of the Taranaki Herald writes: Mr M. Wiseman and Mr X. Newcombe, both of Auckland, came through from the Main Trunk by car last week en .f.

route to Stratford and Xew Plymouth. They describe the Tangarakau Gorge as a glorious combination of bush, cliff, river, and road scenery, and expressed surprise that the trip was not more popularly known than it is. Given a regular mail coach service between Wlianga and Ohura, I am convinced that this route would speedily become a heavily patronised one by tourists and settlers. The dealings in stock between here and Ohura have already reached big proportions, which is evidence that the two districts are closely allied. "' '

Enthusiasm among members of public bodies is always to be commended, and this is particularly apparent in connection with the Egmont National Park Board. Yesterday, after the meeting held at the Dawson ' Falls House, two members, Mr G.'-H. Bulla rd (Crown Lands Commissioner, and chairman of the Board), and Mr J. R. Hill, set off to walk across to the New Plymouth House,which is distant about seven miles. A heavy Scotch mist was falling at the time, and the prospect was none too inviting, but fortified with zeal for the cause as expressed in their desire to ascertain the state of the track, and buoyed up with best wishes for a pleasant and successful trip from fellow members, they set sail, and were lost in a sea of mist before going fifty yards from the House. They were full of hope at being back in New Plymouth this morning.