LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 50, 28 October 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tlie first spring lymhs of the season were dressed at the Stratford Abattoirs this morning. The lambs were of very fine quality. A cablegram from Sydney states that the drought in the North Coast districts has been aggravated by heavy bush fires, much pasturage and a number of residences having been burned.

Weather Forecast.—Westerly strong winds to gale at times. The weather will probably prove squally and changeable. Barometer unsteady.— Bates, Wellington. The following cases have been set down for hearing at the weekly sitting of the Stratford Magistrate’s Court to-morrow:—Twelve civil,, two defended, three judgment summons and one information for mischevions behaviour. In response to an urgent call for a large number of sand hags, the members of the Stratford Ladies’ Patriotic Committee are working to their utmost capacity repairing basic slag bags. The last bale is under weigh, and the committee would be very pleased to receive help from ladies, whether members of the committee oi- not, in getting them ready for despatch to Wellington.

Reports are in circulation in this district of the employment of aliens on the railway works on the East line. The eligibles leave volunteered nobly,' but it is alleged that as they went forward their places have been filled by men principally of German origin. A statement by the authorities as to the truth or otherwise of this ugly rumor is most desirable at tbe present juncture. 1 Cleanliness is next to Godliness! This is a true proverb, but'it is not always recognised. Occasionally in Broadway may be seen a little almondeyed girl rolling vegetables along on the pavement and then putting them back on rhe rack at the door as soon as her playhours are over! When an unlucky purchaser happens along, of course the edibles are wrapped in unsuspecting newspaper and nobody is any the wiser. Quite an interesting audience collected around the shop the l other midday and watched with amusement and disgust the antics of a big mouse partly devouring a few of the goods on show in the window. It has been stated in the town that a health inspector visits Stratford to report to local bodies monthly, but strange to say all. mention of these kind of things have been omitted.

There is at least one person in Wellington in blissful ignorance ol the fact that the world is in the throes of the greatest war in its history, says the “New Zealand Times." Living in AVellington is an Italian lady, who, although many years a resident of the city, has not yet troubled to master the intricacies of the English language. Conversation between the old lady and her daughter is always carried on in her native tongue, and the daughter, thinking that it would per-[ haps disturb the quiet peacefulness of her mother’s declining years were she informed that her beloved Italy was a participant in the war, has thought it advisable to maintain a discreet silence on the subject, and the, to most people, 'all-absorbing topic of the day has never been mentioned between them.

Early risers report a sharp frost in Stratford this morning, but little damage to gardens has to he recorded. The annual meeting of the Stratford Tennis ( iuh will lie held on "Thursday next in Rutherl'urd, Macalister and Coleman’s office. A second consignment of spring lambs was dressed for Messrs Cannon and Co., Broadway, at the Abattoirs this afternoon. At an early hour this morning (states a Press Association telegram from Hastings) a plate-glass window in Dunningham’s jewellery shop was found to have been smashed, and jewellery to the value of £3OO was missing. Finger prints and blood on the broken glass provide the only clue.

The railway lines and works between Stratford and New Plymouth were inspected by the Chief Engineer (Mr McLean) and the District Engineer (Mr Koch) to-day. The two engineers, who are from the Wanganui office, passed through Stratford on a special train early tin's morning.

A large eel. caught by Master Ivan Moss in the Patea river just below the Swansea Road bridge, was on exhibition at the railway station last evening as the mail train wag alongside the platform. The eel, which wag over four feet in length, weighing about 1-lhs. was viewed with interest, and surprise was expressed at so large a fish being caught in the Patea. Master Moss landed th e fish with a pitch fork.

A Launceston message to an Australian paper reports that the fat , os'' sold at the Burnie agricultural show for £l2O, by the Van Diemen’s Land Company, who bred it, was resold at .the Northern Tasmanian Agricultural Society’s show for £207. After being exhibited at the Hobart show the animal was taken to Victoria. This beast is said to exceed in weight and measurements the famous English record ox of 1801, from which it is descended. The V.D.L. Company brought members of that -herd to Tasmania in 1826.

A ladies’ night was held at the Egmont Club last evening, when about 100 persons were present. During the evening items were rendered by Misses Sangster, Mackay, Rogers, and Messrs T. Wilson, Hale, and Heron. A progressive euchre tournament 'was conducted, and'Mrs J.' W. Boon and Miss Neilson tied for the ladies prize, and in the play off, Mi’s Boon was the successful player. Mr J. Lavorty won the gentlemen’s prize, while Miss Bosley and Mr AY. E. Smith were successful in winning the booby prizes. The gathering dispersed about midnight after spending a very enjoyable evening. ,

Some business people expressed surprise this morning when it was learned that a roll of 25yds of linoleum had been stolen from the doorway of Messrs Robinson and Son’s shop during last night. This morning, Mr Robinson stated that he bad noticed the roll missing as soon as he opened. the premises about. 8.30. The linoleum had been left in the passageway as usual last night, .the big 6ft. .iron gates being closed. Mr Robinson said he could not have lifted the roll oveiy the ifencq, it must have been the work of at least two men. The top of the gate was examined, and no marks were discernable, showing that the roll, which weighed .about four ' owt., was lifted by two or more men. No details are available, and the police have the matter in hand.

A punitive expedition was recently sent out from Tulagi, in the Solomon Group, to avenge the murder of the late Mr Jack Laylock, Superintendent Campbell, of tbe Solomon Islands Constabulary, was in charge, and took a party of native police in the steamer Bellama to the scene of the murder at Makeira. The expedition landed over night, and met with some' opposition when nearing the principal native village. There was no bloodshed, however, as a volley from- the police scared the natives, and they capitulated. A chief and three or four of his wives and several natives were promptly placed under arrest, but the actual murderer escaped. The native village was burned to the ground, and the native prisoners were sent back to Tulagi for trial. Further efforts wore being made to secure the murderer when the steamer Kulambangra left the islands for Syd-

Ptttriotic Committees and Da fry Far Jury Companies not represented on Wio Stratford Patriotic Committee are (kindly asked to nominate a member I and forward name to the lion, scci J. W. McMillan. The Patriotic Gi ■ Stock Sale has been postponed till'date to be advertised, x