LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 82, 5 August 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Indralenm arrived at London yesterday from New Zealand. A Queensland proclamation has lixed the price of sugar at 3d per lb. fifteen eases of cerehro spinal meningitis have been reported at the \ into,ian military camps, states a Melbourne cablegram. Rat rons are reminded of the P ei * forinanee of “C indeivlla’ in the Town Hall this evening. It is anticipated that the public will attend in large numbers and swell the funds for the sick and wounded troopers.

A Press Association message from London states that the Xew Zealand Government’s display of apples from Otago was awarded a silver-gilt medal at tile Horticultural Society’s Show.

At the Wesleyan C'hurch on Beaconslield Road yesterday afternoon, the ladies held a pleasant little I unction. A presentation was made to Mrs Rodgers, who is leaving the district. A la roe case of clothing was also packed and sent to Wellington for the Belgians.

A horse attached to a lorry took fright in Broadway this morning and hacked over the kerhing, stopping as the tail hoard of the cart touched the window of the Co-op. Store. The Imrse slipped in the side channel and fell, breaking one of the shafts.

Weather Forecast.— The weather conditions continue -threatening. Ihe indications arc for northerly winds, moderate to strong, and freshening. The weather appears likclv to he cloudy and unsettled, with rain following. Barometer falling.—Bates, Wellington.

The following teams will try conclusions at cribhage at Elder’s Rooms on Friday night, at 7.30. “A team. W. Kelly, W. Clifton, W. Collins. J. Sharrock. 1). McAllum. H. Jones, T. Wilson. I). Butchart. J. Jones,' G. Hannah. F. Stewart, A. Nelson. G. Baker-Green. “B” team : —D. Graham. G. flight. A. Walsh. C. Kivell. 1C H. Kivell. 1C Dixon. A. Stewart, T. Malcolm, J. Thomas, 1C Drake. A. Drake. G. Seahright, T. Ricklehen. 1. Lawson.

Tho Whangainomona tunnel is’still I,locked, and tlio heavy work entailed in clearing it is well illustrated l,v the statement that twenty-chains inside the tunnel a huge rata was I'mnul embedded in the oozy, slushy mud. The log was cut in four and a forty-ton engine hitched to one piece but could not move it. Eventually, by cutting the rata again the workers were enabled to remove the obstruction.

The south pier of the Railway bridge was slightly undermined by the flood water from the river during the last storm. The central pier, which is rather bluff, threw the water towards the south pier and gradually scooped out the earth on the side of the pier. The Department state that there is no danger, hut to prevent further erosion the base of the pier is being strengthened by extra concrete work.

At the Marton Farmers’ Union Conference, when it seemed hopeless that the political parties would agree to form a,National Ministry, a resolution was passed urging both parties to make another attempt to do so. When tho National Ministry was announced yesterday (states a Press Association telegram from Martoii). the President (Sir James Wilson) wired the Premier and Sir Joseph Ward on behalf of the Farmers’ Union, expressing a desire to thank both parties on having agreed to form a National Ministry.

.Many shirking Territorials are evidently unaware of the fact that the wearing of military great-coats other than when on duty is an oli'cncc against regulations, and punishable by prosecution. Apart from these shirkers, it is becoming a common thing now to sec these coats, deprived ol the tale-telling brass buttons, and slightly disguised, being worn by civilians whose age deprives them of all claim to the Territorials, it is regrettable that this should he, and the Defence Department, it is understood, intend putting the practice down, and any fair-minded citizen "ill not hesitate to say that such action as may he taken would be justified. In war times the King’s uniform should be paid the highest respect and not abused by thoughtless people.

A collision between n motor car ami a I’.orsc, wit!i fatal consequences to the latter, occurred about a quarter past ten o’clock last nielli at the intersisiioii of Uroadway and Kenton Streets. .Mr \V. Cubhou a as driving Mr •!, Donald’s hie Cadillac, and had ju i turned into South Broadway from l .nuoi Street when the headlights showed three horsemen in the middle el me load opposite tlit* Kmpire Stable... Mr Cuhhon applied the brakes, hut the car struck the horse ridden bv IT '.Vnl 1 '!'!, of Huiroa, the lamp and mudguard lotting the near hind leg of the horse and practically severing it at the shin. It was found that the hone had been broken, and the horse was afterwards destroyed. The rider had a miraculous escape, being dragged along in the stirrups for a Ipiy vards, hut was not even serateh-

The result" of the Herd Competition held in connection with the Toko Settlers’ Association is as follows: —C. Bayly, Ist with an average of 207..>2 lbs of huttcr-fat per cow, herd of 35 cows; M. Geruhoefer, 2nd with an average of 2G3.771hs of butter-fat per cow, herd of 29 cows; C. Bayly. 3rd with an average of 233.981hs of but-ter-fat per cow, herd of Go cows.

A Hup car. with 3V years hard service on Taranaki roads, being dri-

ven the other day from Stratford to Mart on and hack, covered the distance of 228 miles in eight hours.

with a benzine consumption of 10\ gallons. This is a very fine performance, and speaks highly for this make of ear. The owner states that the time could have been considerably reduced if it had been found necessary. X The Americans have been indulging in constructing huge battleships, and the result of their efforts are rather startling and interesting. In .Inly they launched two mammoth ships, the ‘‘Rennyslvania” and the “Arizona,” each of which displaces 31,500 toils and mount twelve 1-lin. gnus, a broadside weighing 10,800 pounds. The California. Idaho and Mississippi follow these. They displace more than 32,000 tons each, and will probably he armed with IGin. guns. To-day, our largest and newest battleship, the Queen Elizabeth, displaces 27,500 tons, and is armed with 15-in. guns.

The Allies have been straining every nerve to bring the Zeppelins down and to destroy them. Late Lieutenant Warneford. in his most gallant exploit, clearly showed that fast aeroplanes can in capable and daring hands out manoeuvre and bring down a Zeppelin with bombs. The French have been experimenting with an aerial torpedo-ship which will carry four men and a torpedo-gun. It is a rigid dirigible balloon of fourteen separate gascompartments enclosed in a wooden envelope. The 'ship is very speedy and can travel well over sixty miles an hour, and will he armed with torpedoes which will he wireless-control-led.

The Taranaki Meat Freezing Company has proceeded to allotment, and everything connected with the company is progressing in a highly satisfactory manner. That portion ol the machinery with which a delay might occur has been ordered from England, so that the works will he in a position to start about February 1 next. Ibe directors have help up th - plans lor the buildings lor a lew days, pending an interview with the Railway Department in Wellington as to the proposed siding, but it is not anticipated that any serious delay "id result therefrom. Plans for the building are in ii forward state, and it is expected that in about a fortnight’s time tenders'will be let. A though the directors have proceeded to allotment, further shares will he allotted.