GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 91, 20 April 1915, Page 3

GENERAL.

The other day a Riwaka (Nelson) resident, Mr Arthur Scott, struck a match close to the bung hole of an empty whisky cask, with the result that the I nines ignited, causing an explosion. The head of the cask was [mown out, and caught Mr Scott under the chin, inflicting a severe gash in the throat, which had to be stitched. One hand was also badly burned. Mr Scott is now progressing favorably towards recovery. Albert t'raiike, ayed IG, at the Perth Criminal Court, was charged with the murder of his lather, at Collie, on New Year's Eve last. After a long argument the charge was reduced to manslaughter. Evidence was given that Franke, senior, was drunk and attacking his wile. Accused got a revolver, thrust it through a window from outside the house, and shot his father in the back. The defence was thai accused did not intend to lire at, but only, to frighten, his lather, in defence of his mother. Accused was acquitted hv the jury. Mr Justice Mouth, in discharging the accused, said lie was very fortunate to have so lenient a i u ry. An Auckland telegram states that a further advance in the wholesale price ol standard brands of butter will be made in Auckland to-day. The rate having been raised by the Dairy Produce Association from Is .'i.'d, last Wednesday's price, to Is Id, the retail price will be increased from Is 5d to Is (id per lb. The rising tendency of local values is due to the demand for supplies by Victorian merchants. Their first purchases a week ago -sci a standard of Is .'sd per lb as the value of local stocks and the consignments by the Malicno to-day amounted to about 1700 boxes, representing purchases on the basis of Is 3id f.o.b,

CliflVged with committing rape on 3 Maori girl under U 5 years old, at Kahotu on April 9th, Joseph Hazeldine, a member of a circus recently in New Plymouth, appeared before Mr A. Crooke, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. The accused was not represented by counsel (reports the News). Sub-Inspector Fouhy described how the girl, while proceeding home after attending the circus at Uabotu, was accosted by the accused, who committed the offence complained of. The case occupied the Court throughout the day, and at the conclusion of the evidence the accused was committed for trial. Bail was allowed with prisoner's £2OO and two sureties of £IOO each or one of £2OO.

An Aucklnd Press Association telegram stales: As a result of the scrutiny of 10,1.57 names on the petition asking for a poll on the half-holiday question, it has liecn found that only 4257 are electors on the various rolls of the united districts referred to by the petition. The names of a number of people recently dead appear as signatories, and the similarity of handwriting leads investigators to make the assertion that two men are responsible for 570 signatures. As the naiiies* thus far accepted by the schutineers are less than the total number required to secure a poll, it is doutful at present whether the City Council will order a poll to be taken.

Between thirty and forty settlors attended at Lepperton Hall last night to discuss the proposal to erect cooperative meat freezing works. Mr P. IV. Qpcnsha.fr presided, and briefly outlined the proposal. Mr A. Morton also addressed the meeting. Mr Diggins urged every farmer to take a few shares, and also to support (he works when established, lie moved that this meeting is in favour of the establishment of co-operative moat feezing works in North Tarnnaki. This was seconded by Mr E. Wheat ley, and carried. Twenty-seven of those in the room promised to take a total of 105 shares in all in lots varying from one to ten. Several had already put in their applications at inglewood Messrs 11. Lepper and 15. Whoatley were appointed delegates to attend the central meeting at Inglowood l.«»-day.

"Can a politician he a Christian?" ■ was a question put recently to a number of well-known Americans. One of the best replies came from -Mr Harold J. Hinman, thus: "The origin*'l etymological moaning of the term 'politician' denoted simply persons engaged in public affairs. If yiu mean that, I can see no possible reusou why a Christian cannot be a politician as well as an honest minister, business man. or professional man, or engage honorably in a decent walk in ife 1 believe a great deal of harm has been done to the State and the nation by continually picturing the public olficiiil and all engaged in politics as a vulgar, contemptible class of political parasites. It has made it more difficult for men of self-respect to enter the public service. Instead of making it demeaning for a man to enter this, service, it should he made a mark of honor, and our best citizens should he encouraged to take up the work. This can onjy he done by a reform from the bottom up, beginning with the workers in the election districts and at the polls, and when the substrata has been purified by encouraging our, best, citizens to interest themselves, | there will not be the slightest, dilli- . I culty in electing the right kind ol men | to the highest stations in the public service." !