LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 94, 23 April 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

"Council Amenities," being the report of the breezy meeting at the County Council on Wednesd iy, appears un page 2, Football boundaries ',ll p'ige 7, and Holy Trinity Church on page s. The [Chimin Co-operative Dairy Company will pa\ out tins month nearly ££ooo for butter-fat, at 13d per lb. Mr Jo<*. W. Boon, who is contesting the Mayoralty election, will address the burgesses on municipal questions in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that Messrs Burns, Philp and Co.. Ltd., the important Australian shipping firm, is about to establish a branch in New Zealand. Tn the Town Hall on Monday night, in view of the contest for the Mayoralty, Mr R. -McK. Morison will address the burgesses on municipal matters. Bowlers are invariably humorists. Consternation plainly showed for aj moment on one visiting bowler's face on the local green yesterday. The gay trundler opened his bag to getj ins beloved bowls, when, judge of his. surprise, a pair of nicely-shaped water-) melons came to light! That it was no, accident may be gathered from the fact that the whole green was waiting for the denouement, which was greeted with hearty laughter.

A truck on a goods train coining into Feilding at one o'clock this morning became derailed half a mile from the station, and was drawn on the ballast and sleepers right to the station before turning over. The Press Association adds: The truck wheel stripped the bolts oil' the fish-plates along the line, and at the bridge over the Makino stream smashed all the sleepers and decking. A gang turned out and took several hours to clear the line. The Auckland express was lelayed tor live hours. As evidence that work on the To Roti-Opunake railway is to lie vigorously prosecuted, Mr C. A. Wilkinson. M.P., has stated that in response to representations made to the Department a further fifty men are being sent from Wellington, making a total of 115 engaged on the line. In addition to these several are being transferred from the Stratford Main Trunk line. Mr Wilkinson asked that employment should lie given to local men, but the Minister replied that in view of the additional men arranged for ho could not promise to employ further local men. Mr Wilkinson is, however, making additional representations on the subject.

On Monday evening (writes our Kohuratahi correspondent) a good attendance of members and intending members of the Overseas Club met in the Kohuratahi Hall, and an enthusiastic "send-off" was given the same. Mr P. Keller was elected president, and in responding, said a particularly deep sense of responsibility rested on every British-born subject at the piesent moment, and this was a fitting time to siiow that even out here, we could do our share in some way or another those who were hearing the brunt.—Much appreciated was an address by Mr Keller on the History of the British People. He said it was a sorry condition to find that historywas not more taught in the schools of the Dominion.—A strong committee was formed, with power to act in celebrating Empire Day in some fitting way. Periodical meetings will he arranged in due course, and it is hoped that a great many of the surrounding settlers and others will take up a cause which in every respect befits a British subject, at this auspicious juncture in British history. Mr George White, secretary P.W.D., Kohuratahi, will be pleased to forward application forms and any particulars to those desirous of joining the Club, In this issue will be found a halfpage advertisement of Stratford's progressive draper and clothier—Arch. Bawies. .lust now he is showing a fine assortment of Poslyn and Kaia]>i)i costumes, coats and paletots—the embodiment of the latest styles and materials. Dress materials which are in large variety include some lovely quality velveteens. Children's wants are not forgotten, and in this respect lie lias some nice jerseys and coats.

I • Weather Forecast.—The indications [ are for: Moderate to strong winds, and veering by south to east. There is a J prospect of fair to cloudy weather. j The night will probably be very cold, with hosts inland. Barometer little inoveiiieut, but fall 'after about 24 to 3G hours. I I The values of primary products oxi ported from the Dominion during the week ended April 20, are as follows: Butter £15.905, cheese £40,693, frozen > lamb £131,705, frozen mutton £66,519, frozen beef, etc., £95,749, gold £19,674, grain and pulse £2051, hides and skins £53,057, kauri gum £20,375, flax ! and tow £22.542, tallow £37,170, timber £17,423, wool £382.930. The Auckland Labourers' Union has passed a resolution protesting against the Government undercutting the awards iu paying less than the award rate of wages, in violating tiie award hours of work, and in compelling labourers to pay their train fare when taken out of town. The Press Association says a copy of the resolution has been sent to the Premier, Minister of Labour, and all members of the House. The Press Association agent at Masterton reports : A series of patriotic concerts and sales of gift flags in aid of Croat Britain and Allies' Relief Fund, which have been held in various towns in Wairarapa, concluded at Martinborough last night. The total raised, £6700, for the concerts and flags, was as follows: Masterton £2OOO, Featherston £I3OO. Carterton £9OO, Martinborough £2500. Residents of Waikaka, fourteen miles from (Wire, were surprised yesterday morning (states the Press Association) when a gang of men commenced to dismantle the railway station there. No explanation had been given, and the men were at work two hours before the telegraph office opened. An indignation meeting was held, and a telegram of protest forwarded to the member of the district, who is now in touch with the Minister for Railways. A reply from the Hon. Mr Fraser (.Minister of Public Works), said he was greatly surprised to learn what had taken place.