LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 49, 28 June 1915, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Local coal merchants report a coal famine, stocks being exhausted, and inquirers unsatisfied.

In British naval circles it is persistently . stated that two electrical engineers, absent from the Bulwark during the night of the disaster, were iiiscoverecl to be Germans and arrested, although their subsequent fate is unknown.

At St. Andrew's Church social tonight, the basis of the address to be delivered by the Rev. J. It. Shore, M.A., will be: "The Claims of the British Navy." Mr Shore is wellknown as an able and patriotic speaker, and his address should prove very interesting.

Weather forecast.—The indications are for freshening westerly winds to gale prevailing. Expect dull weather with much mist and fog in parts. Rain probable.. The night will ;ji«>bably be very cold. Barometer unsteady.—Bates, Wellington.

The Government Party l'.et in caucus in Wellington this morning, and adjourned till 2.30 this afternoon, icports the Press Association. The Premier states that all member? of the Party, including Mr Tau Heuare, were present or accounted for. The business was of a private nature, and the Premier declines to make any statement at present.

A conference convened by the Mayor of New Plymouth (Mr J. E. Wilson). »as held in the Borough Council Chambers this afternoon to discuss the question of the administration of the patriotic funds. Representatives from Patea, Kappnga, Hawera, Eltham, Stratford, Waitara, and New Plymouth were present. Mr Wilson was voted to the chair. After considerable discussion a resolution and an amendment favouring a national fund with local administration with a uniformity in allowances, were passed. A fuller report will appear in to-morrow's issue.

A Press Association telegram from the Thames states; During the past fortnight exceptionally heavy rains have fallen throughout the Thames district, and at high water portions of G.rahamstown. are being flooded, causing damage and inconvenience on the Plains, where a large quantity of water has concentrated. The laud is clear of water where the Government drainage operations have been.'cp-mpleted, but where it is incomplete the water has backed up further, being; evidence that when the scheme of drainage is completed a much larger area than was expected will be drained.