LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 28, 2 June 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

To-morrow (Thursday, June 3) being the King's Birthday, there will be no issue of the Stratford Evening Post, j Shipping: Arrivals at London—Hal-I lanishiro and Karamea. An offending inebriate at the Stratford Court this morning was convieted and discharged by Mr J. McCluggago, J.P. It is understood that the twentyeight recruits who were excluded from the special force quota leaving Christ-I church Inst Friday have been sent to Trentham. | His Worship, Mr. Kenrick, S.M., will deliver his reserved judgment on Friday next in re Bredow v. McClug-j gage (motor collision), and Ashcroft, v. Gamlin (bush fire case). ;

The Stratford Retailers' Association notify that a close holiday will be observed in Stratford to-morrow (King's Birthday), and of course all shops and business, establishments will be closed from to-night until Friday morning.

Last month the estates of 207 deceased persons were certified for stamp duty. The largest wax that of Mary Ellen Wilson (Auckland), £68,561. The folowing are the principal estates in the New Plymouth district:—Harriet Elizabeth Mureh, £-1882; Thomas Francis Giddy, 1824; William Coates, £144.4.

At yesterday's meeting of the Taranaki County Council, a letter was received from Mr W. S. Short, notifying that the commission regarding the suggested toll gate on the Mountain Road at Waipuku would sit at Stratford ou June 10th. It was decided that the council act in conjunction with the New Plymouth Borough Council re taking a tally of the traffic, and the chairman was appointed to represent the county at the sitting of t!\e commission, the whole matter to he left in his hands.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. W. Boon) waited on the Chamber of Commerce last night Til support of a letter forwarded by the Borough Council to the Chamber asking for a conference in regard to formulating evidence to put before the Toll Gate Comtrvrr-sron. After the Mayor had spoken in support of the letter, and laid before the Chamber exactly what the Council required, the Chairman moved that the Chamber accede to the Council's request and co-operate with the Borough Council in opposing the proposition to place a toll-gate on the Mountain Road near Waipuku River. Mr E, Jackson urged that the Chamber in opposing the toll-gate, should have ready for the Commission other propositions to take the place of the toll-gate as a means of providing funds. After further discussion, the motion was seconded by Mr W. P. Ivirkwood and carried. Mr W. P. Kirkwood also moved that a committee consisting of the chairman, Mr W. A. Hewitt, and the mover lie appointed to confer with the Borough Council. Mr I). J. Maloue seconded, and the motion was carried.

On March .31 there were 19,409 old

age pensions in force, representing an annual amount of £-180.000. There were also ISO:) widows' pensions, representing £35,300, and 1384 military pensions, representing £49,800.

Weather Fir-east.—The indications are for south-easterly strong winds to gale at times, but decreasing. The weather will probably prove cold and showery, and the night will probably 118 very cold with frosts inland, then improving. The barometer rising tendency.—Bates, Wellintgon. According to Hawke's Bay exchanges, a reduction in the price of meat may be expected. Butchers there are said to he getting fat sheep at practically their own price. Apparently some of the Bay's stock-dealers who have been penny wise are now pound foolish! it is hoped that the householders iu this district will lie blessed by a similar reduction.

During the passage of the Talune from Karatonga (reports the Press Association), a passenger named J.

W. I). Xoble created a sensation by suddenly jumping overboard in midocean without giving any warning. The

engines were stopped and a boat lowered, and Xoble was picked up and brought aboard, not having suffered serious results. He was placed under restraint till arrival in Auckland, and then was handed over to the police.

Owing to re-arrangement of the fixtures,Stratford Ist Juniors will play Tukapa Juniors at 3 p.m. in the Park. The match for Juniors IT. will commence at 1.30 sharp, instead of 3 o'clock, as announced yesterday. The following will represent Stratford Ist Juniors:—Bonner, A. Kivell, Rogers, I'Yyday, Collins. (.'. Sangster, Stewart. Vickers, Booker, Bergin, J. Crighton, Williams, J. Hancock, Corkill, and Wright.

The rainfall for the month of May, recorded by Miss X. Trimble, "Riversdale," Inglewood, was 9.90 inches. There were falls on nine days, the

heaviest being on the 22ud, with 3.47, on the 9th 2.37, and on the 10th T. 66. Other records were, 24th .03, 2oth ,99, 26th .01, 27th .03, 28th .60, 29th .14. The Stratford rainfall as supplied by Mr T. H. Penn shows G. 26 inches for the month. Bain fell on ten days as follows:—9th 1.42, 10th 1.12, 22nd 2.10, 24th .14, 25th .56, 26th .03. 28th .51. 29th .'2O, 30th .03, 31st .15.

A case in Stratford of a returned trooper who has, apparently, been paid off and left to look after himself should receive the notice and assistance of the Patriotic Committee. The young man in question had his spectacles stolen in Auckland before the main body left. In Egypt his eyes gave him trouble, and in consequence he was put under medical supervision, but in spite of frequent commands from high authorities to. furnish him with glasses, he was sent back to Xew Zealand without glasses. On arrival in New Zealand he was paid off and still no glasses were given him. On consulting a specialist, he was informed that if he did not have his eyes attended to and got glasses he would lose his sight. The necessary attention and glasses would cost about £3O. As the young man is only a wage-man, it seems unjust and harsh treatment. Possibly local funds can help.