LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 13, 15 May 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A cablegram from Sydney .states: Good rains, extending over the drought area in the Riverina and western districts, are falling. This has greatly brightened the wheat and pas. toral prospects.

The clubs affiliated to the Otago Rugby Union have supplied 600 volunteers for the war. The Otago Daily Times publishes each" club's quota, making a formidable list and interesting reading.

The presence of those interested in forming an Automobile Association is requested at a meeting to be held in Council Chambers, Fire Brigade Hall, on Wednesday evening, 19th inst., at 8 o'clock sharp.

{The following figures show the quantities of butter in cool store at various ports of the Dominion on May 14:— Auckland 15,084, New Plymouth 5760. Patea 640, Wanganui 3442, Gisborne '222, Wellington 16,885, Lyttelton 6548, Timaru 382, Dunedin 2669; total 51.917. Total lor May 15, 1914, 90,271. Total for May .15. 1913; 69,814.

A large and enthusiastic patriotic demonstration in collection with the recruiting movement was held in the Opera House, Hawera, last evening. Addresses stressing the need for more men were given by Dr. McNab M.P. and W. A. Veitch M.P. Notwithstanding the heavy recruiting during the week, over twenty-five registered in the evening.—P.A.

A Dannevirke Press Association today states : Consequent upon the war, the oil-boring operations at Waipatiki, which were carried on at the instigation of an English syndicate, have ,been ceased. As the indications are said to be very favourable to striking oil, the local bodies in the district intend to interview the Government and urge the prosecution of "Boring operations from a national as well as a district stand-point. Over .£IOO,OOO has already been sunk in the enterprise.

A very striking illustration of the folly of farmers making informal verbal arrangements about the use of their property by their neighbors was given in the case of Abbott and Anderson, which had to come before the Law Courts for decision recently. Tn case, Mis \Y. Abbott, who owned a farm at Whangamomona, lent an acre of it to a neighbour for growing some potatoes, which kind offer was duly taken advantage of. In the ordinary course of events, the crop would have been harvested, and nothing further would have happened between two neighbours who had been, till then, the best of friends. Hut as often happens, where no definite arrangements have been made, a hitch occurred when the property was sold, owing to there being no record of the potato tenancy. The purchaser refused to recognise the neighbour's rights, and Mrs Abbott found that she was liable for the value of the crop from which she had received no benefit, and in which she had no interest whatever. It, might be wise for people who are not acquainted with the strict technicalities of the law to make sure of their eventual liability before accommodating their friends, however cordial their relations may be.

Intending students in shorthand in connection with the Technical School are requested to meet at the Public School on Wednesday evening at seven o'clock.

Among the list of "missing friends," the ;.ddret.s is sought of Thomas Drake. Native of Halifax. Yorkshire; said to have been in Inglewood in 1880, and to have been a boot merchant. Inquired for from England.

The adjourned meeting of the Stratford Borough Council, will take place on Monday, at 7.«50 p.m. Cr Hunter lias given notice to move—" That tho resolution of 12th April, 1915, adopting the special lighting committee s report be rescinded." His Worship the Mayor will move—'That provision be made in the waterworks by-laws for a charge of £1 per annum for waterclosets."

Weather forecast.—The indications are for southerly moderate to strong winds veering by east to west, then freshening. There is a prospect of fair to cloudy weather with increasing haze and cloudiness. Storm appears to be approaching from the west in the beginning of the week. Barometer falling after about 16 hours.—Bates, Wellington.

Some remarks on the connection between drink and crime fell from the lips of the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) in the Supreme Court when summing up to the jury in the case against E. A. Welsh and J. G, Briant, both ex-Government servants, charged with attempting to steal a cheque for £790. "In cue year," said His Honor, "there are as many men killed, and as many wounded and injured, physically, morally, and in mind, as all the men that we in New Zealand will lose in the war we are engaged in, in the same period. Vet it does' not seem to affect us. The responsibility is not on those who drink, it is on you as a community, who do not set the example you should set and strive to strengthen the wills of those who drink."

At the fortnightly meeting of the Hibernian Society last Monday evening, members took the first opportunity of presenting their Secretary (Bro. P. G. Brennan) with a memento in the shape of a cake dish, sugar bowl and cream jug, set in .silver, on the occasion of his recent marriage. The president (Bro. T. Geraghty) in making the presentation maOe a Happy little speech, and exhorted the younger members also to get married. The President's remarks were supported by Bros. Mulvey, O'Brien, Lonergan, O'Connor and the Treasurer (Bro. W. Bowler). Bro. Brennan replied in a felicitous speech, thanking his brother members for their beautiful present.

For Thursday next, the executive of the A. and P: Association are arranging a trip to the Moumahaki State Farm. Members wishing to visit the Farm are requested to note they must lie at the station at least a quarter of an hour before the mail train leaves, in order to get railway concessions' and must obtain their tickets from the secretary. Arrangements have been made tor the mail train to stop at Tariki and Midhirst, on both journeys, and members making the trip from these stations must book at ordinary fares to Stratford, where they will" obtain concession tickets to Moumahaki from the secretary. Members must leave their names with the Secretary not later than Tuesday next, in order that arrangements can be made at the State Farm to receive the party. A special carriage will be arranged for the party.

Lieutenant Colonel Harry Townsend Fulton, D. 5.0., who is now in camp at Trentham, relates a very interesting experience. Before leaving India on furlough, Colonel Fulton was induced to have his fortune told by a native woman. At that time war did not appear at all ilkely between Great Britain and Germany, and when the fortune-teller informed Colonel Fulton that he would be raised in rank in the country he was going to, and that he would unfurl a flag in a new land, he laughed at the idea. It is probably only a coincidence, but the native woman's prophecies have come true. Prior to leaving for,Samoa, the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel was conferred

...pon him, and the Colonel hoisted the British flag on the island of Samoa when the New Zealand Expeditionary Force annexed it in the name of the King.