LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 91, 20 April 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr Jos. W. Boon, candidate for the mayoralty will address burgesses in tlii' Town Haii on Tuesday, next.

Widespread beneficial rains have fallen in the Riverina, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania a, Sydney cablegram).

A London cablegram states that the .Miiuiro and Kaikoura have arrived at Plymouth, while the departures include the Tongariro for Sydney and the Cape Finistere To Auckland.

The Stratford Operatic Society expects to produce "Memo England" in .July, but influenza and other causes is keeping many members from rehearsals, and is making the task rather difficult.

The monthly meeting of the Stratford County Council will be held at 11 a.m. to-morrow. A special meeting will also be held in connection with loans for the construction of parts of Pembroke and Ahuroa Roads.

A fancy dress football match, Banks v. Law, is to eventuate in about three weeks' time. The proceeds from what should prove a very entertaining game, will ho in aid of the Belgian Fund.

Weather Forecast.—The indications ure for westerly winds, strong to gale,

and veering by west to south. The weather will probably prove squally and changeable. Rain probable. The barometer is unsteady with a falling tendency.

The inquest on the oody of Trevor Marfell, who met with a fatal accident on Friday was held at Whangamomona yesterday morning. Evidence of identification was taken, and the inquest was adjourned, on the application of the police, till 9 o'clock on Saturday morning (24th inst).

The Hawera Magistrate's Court was occupied to-day with the case (believed to be tbe iirst of its kind) Carroll v. Garden, In w.i:eb plaintiff, a married woman, sued for l"i()0 for slander on her chas'.ity. The statements forming the ground of the action are alleged to bare !ie-?ii m.de by defendant (church elder' to a minister, to a constable, to plaintiff's husband, and 'to another man. The Press Association message stated the case was unfinished.

Two matches will be shot this evening at the miniature rifle range, one between teams representing Stratford Daiiy Co. and Midhirst Dairy Co., and the other being Stratford Dairy Co. v. B. Darkness and Co. On Thursday evening a match between teams from the Public Works staff and Railways will be shot.

At the usual weekly committee meeting of the Stratford Home Defence Rifle Corps, it was decided to again help the Belgian Relief Fund, and a cheque for five guineas has been sent to the secretary of that fund. It was also decided to donate a special and extra prize in the Mayor's gold medal championships in each of the six trial shorts prior to the, final, hut no competitor to win more than one prize. The Defence Corps meet as usual for drill instruction every Monday.

A meeting of the local committee for the Relief of the Poor of Great Britian Ireland, ami Belgium was held last night. In accordance with a decision arrived at Ivy the Department of Interna! Affairs, the Mayor of New Plymouth has been asked to organise a collection of contributions from the Taranaki district, the amount allocated to this provienco being £239 per monthf such\contributions to continue as long as the necessity exists. The committee decided to continue their relations with the committee at Wellington as far as remitting funds is concerned. The committee is forwarding a further £2OO for the funds, making the total forwarded to date £ll6l. A further donation of clothing is being sent by tho committee, and contributions during the next few davs will be welcome.

About 10 o'clock on Thursday, !)t!i inst., at White Cliffs (X.S.W.), people witnesses a strange and appealing sight in the heavens. A great body appeared to burst in the southern sky, lighting up the earth for several seconds, as if it were broad daylight, yet with weird yellow light. All round the illuminated phenomenon rays of the most beautiful colours which changed as they danced and flickered, surpassing in brilliance the hues of a rainbow. The phenomenon moved in a northerly direction, making a track resembling that of a mighty comet. It was accomplished by a lend hissing noise. After its disappearance a thick while haze remained for some minutes in the heavens. Then Followed a loud explosion like the roar ol guns. In the early part of the evening thunder and lightning passed over the district, and slight showers fell.