LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 93, 22 April 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

——-<gii.. —•- A Gazette Extraordinary issued last night further prorogues Parliament until May 2Gth. The rifle clubs of the Commonwealth number 1318, with a total membership of 67,036. In addition to the fifty men at present engaged on the Opunake railway works, the Hawcra Star is informed that an additional fifty are being sent from Wellington at once. A Times-Sydney Sun cablegram today with reference to affairs in -Mexico, states that General Villa was defeated north of Clelaya, losing thirty guns and four thousand men. The disparity between the highest and lowest amounts of some of the tenders which were opened at the Stratford/County Council yesterday led Chairman Hathaway to remark: “Some are looking for work and some for money!” A Stratford dealer recently sent a truck of springing heifers from this district to Wanganui, where they fetched the fine price of £9 los each. This class of cattle, it is understood, is very scarce in Taranaki, and a great number of inquiries are now being made for winter culvers.

“Wo move resolutions and our officers are supposed to carry them out,” remarked the Chairman of the Stratford County Council in dealing with a certain subject at the meeting yesterday. “I am not blaming the Council,” continued Mr Hathaway; “I suppose I am to blame myself.”—Cr. Baskin; “I should think so!” A Maori girl named Make Kaimoku escaped from the Wanganui police gaol about seven o’clock this morning (reports the Press Association.) She evidently forced the door into the warder’s office, escaping while the official was attending to the inmates. The escapee, who is nineteen years of ago was on remand on a charge of theft. There, is no trace oi her whereabouts. It is ore than probable that the newest member of the National Park Board knows the Mountain closer than any one of the members. Speaking to a “Post” reporter yesterday, alter lus election as County repres.‘illative on the Board, Mr T. R. Anderson, of Mahoe, said he was the first to scale the mountain irom the New Plymouth side and find his way down the other side, coining out over Fantham’s Peak, iu a one-day journey. Twenty-five years ago, this must have been something like a task. “It was really a foolhardy undertaking for a boy of fifteen,” said Mr Anderson. Such a practical hand at mountaineering as Mr Anderson will surely prove of considerable service iu mu ay ways on the Board. Replying to a statement made by the secretary of the Voodstutfs tommission, that the Commission has never had before it evidence of exploitation. Mr Andrew Fairbain, merchant, informed a Christchurch Star reporter that ho had gone before the Commission and produced original documents to show that the very day war was declared, prices of foodstuffs had been advanced from 10 u> 90 per cent on goods, which carried no increase cost whatsoever. He also gave evidence proving that il his firm had raised prices to the same extent as his competitors his additional profits for one months’ trading would have amounted to no less than £o()00. His (inn had never charged these excessive prices, and yet its profits by selling under normal conditions since the commencement ot the war was at least equal to those in previous years. Up had made frequent applications to the (-omission for a copy of his evidence, but was unable to obtain it.

A lengthy report of the proceedings at the County Council yesterday during the “meeting of the waters” —- otherwise “The Baskin Breeze” —will appear in to-morrow’s “Post.” Weather Forecast. —The indications are tor:—South-easterly moderate to strong winds prevailing. Weather probably cold and changeable, with _ showers. The barometer has a rising i t endency.—B ato s. Wei lin t gon. At the Lyttelton Court yesterday, Alexander Reid, quartermaster at Fort Jervois, was charged with supplying liquor to a territorial, a prohibited man, at a recent breakup social held at the Fort. Accused pleaded not guilty, and it was admitted that there had been a wet canteen at the Fort. The Magistrate dismissed the charge, remarking that the evidence disclosed a, scandal which he hoped the military authorities would investigate. Tiie Stratford Committee of the British, Belgium Relief Fund wish to acknowledge receipt from the Toko School Committee of the sum of LG 12s Gd. This amount represents the proceeds of a collection taken up on the day of the Toko Sports meeting, the collectors being the Misses Myrtle Gernhoefer Xcllio Butler, Myrtle Chainey, Irene Were, Laura Divehall, and Lucy Jones. Mr Wickstead has forwarded his usual monthly subscription of £2 10s. The treasurer wishes to acknowledge receipt of the March donation as well.