LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 82, 10 April 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Two large Imperial green globe turnips were brought into the “Stratford Evening Tost” office to-day for inspection. They were very fine vegetables, having been grown on Mr A. Bennett’s property at Bird Hoad from seed supplied by Newton King, and weighed respectively 161bs and liibs. i Weather forecast.—-The indications are for easterly moderate to strong winds and veering by east to north, then freshening. Increasing haze and cloudiness with rain probable, following a falling tendency of barometer.

The Stratford County Council notify in another column that it is proposed to raise a loan of £7OO for the construction of part of the Ahuroa Hoad West. The special roll of ratepayers in the special rating district will be on view at the County office, Stratford, up to 21st inst.

The Prime Minister, in acknowledging receipt of a letter from Mr H. <l. Okcv, M.P., in regard to the stock oi cheese which is accumulating at the Motor.ua Freezing Works, states that steps have already been taken which will, he trusts, have the effect of remedying the position.

That the advent of the motor is not an unmixed blessing was plainly inferred to at the Taranaki Hvigby Union's annual meeting in Strait aid last evening by the secretary (Mr P. Skoglund). Speaking on the vexed question of /travelling expenses, he said he noted with a great deal of disgust from a financial point of view that since the motor became the popular modi' of transit the expenses bad mounted up to an amazing degree. He felt sore, very sore, at tin's, because of thi> fact that lie. had striven bard for ten years past in endeavoring to bring the Union’s finances in this respect to a satisfactory position. Primarily with the object of augmenting the funds of the Mission associated with Holy Trinity Church, Stratford, a sail' of work was opened in the Parish Hall this morning by Mr .!. H. Mine. M.P. Tastefully decorated stalls, laden with useful and fancy articles, also produce of various kinds, all neatly arranged, gave color ami charm to the hall, and slum - . i'd that many willing hands had assisted to make the sale the success it deserves. Those 1 who are in charge oi stalls include Mrs Howard and Mrs Craw slaw (sweets), Mrs Dixon and Mrs Partridge (produce), Mrs Middleton (work stall), Mrs Grant and Mrs C. Penn (refreshments). Mr Mine, in formally opening the sale of work, expressed ids pleasure at being present and the wish that a successful undertaking would be the result of their efforts. This evening a musical entertainment will he provided. No charge is being made for admission.

The Imperial Parliamentary estimates include another JL'oOOO for Sir E. Shackleton’s expedition. Members of the Stratford Home Defence Corps are reminded of the parade at the School Gymnasium on Monday evening at 7 o’clock, and not i .30 US previously held. J Boys will he boys, even when they go a-mountaineeriiig in a body. The handle of a rake makes a capital alpenstock, while in a pillow-fight the ceiling doesn’t count! The caretaker of the Stratford Mountain House thinks otherwise, however, and he has sent in a “bill” for damages alleged to have been suffered when the local schoolboys recently spent a night at the hostelry. The conduct of the lads was beyond reproach, of course—it was merely a case of pure exuberance of natural spirit.

The executive of the Now Zealand Alliance passed a resolution expressing pride and satisfaction at the King’s decision to abstain from alcoholic liquors during the war (states the Press Association), and commending this illustrious example to those in authority, and to all other loyal subjects of the King in New Zealand.

A Loudon cablegram received to-day reads: “Tlie Daily Alail states that arrangements are being made for the issue ol a New Zealand loan possibly a week hence. The report is apparently due to the rumored offers of bonds on the Stock Exchange, of which the Government’s brokers have no information. In reference, to the above, a Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the Minister for Finance, (Hon J. Allen), in an interview with a “Post” reporter, said the cablegram is incorrect, as no arrangements have been made for the issue of a New Zealand loan. “I know nothing of the offer of bonds on the Stock Exchange, of which the brokers have no information,” said the Minister .

1 lie Dannevirke Borough Council last evening supported the Runanga Borough Council (reports the Press Association) in its protest against the advance in the prices of foodstuffs, and calling upon the Government to regulate the prices of common necessities. Adjutant Cook, of the Salvation Army, on Tuesday night, will touch on amusing situations incidental to meeting and commingling with delegates from almost all the nations of the earth, most of whom could not s]M?ak one word of English. This matter, together with the pathetic side as to how the news of the loss of the Canadian delegates was received and the description of the memorial service in Albert Hail, London, should prove of interest to all.

The Hon. Mr Herdman has made a statement to the press in reply to the strictures recently passed upon the Public Service Commissioner by Mr Primrose McConnell, late manager of the Jlnakura State Farm. The Press Association states that the Minister describes the criticism as so extravagant and inaccurate that it is of value only as showing how little reliance can 1)0 placed on Mr McConnell’s reflections. Mr Herdman cites as an example the statement that the Experimental Farm manager is not allowed to engage a temporary employee without first consulting the Commissioner. and quotes in reply to Regulation 150, which provides that “temporary workmen or employees required in the following departments, viz., on farms, shall be engaged and discharged by each manager or overseer.” The Minister replies to other phases of the criticism and concludes by giving Mr McConnell every ..credit for bis capable management of the farm, but says he is evidently a man with a grievance; that such people are better out of the service; and that the circumstances of the case exemplify the usefulness of the Public Service Commissioners.