LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 29, 10 January 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A cablegram from Buenos Ayres states that the official estimate, of the wheat crop ig 5,012,uj0 tons.

Weather forecast.—The indications are for variable and -strong breezes, with northerly moderate to strong winds prevailing and freshening. Conditions continue threatening and clouding over; rain later. Barometer little movement; but falling shortly. —Bates, Wellington.

The Xgaere W.C.T.U. held their monthly meeting on January 4th at Mrs K. Tarrant's, when there was a good attendance. The 1916 Convention, which is to be held in Wanganui was mentioned, and it decided that Mrs M. T. Phillips be sent as delegate. It was arranged to hold the Cradle 801 l picnic on January 18th at Mrs K. Tarrant's. A letter of sympathy is to be sent to Mr and Mrs J. Robertson, of Stuart Road.

According to the statistics of Xew Zealand for 1914, the first volume, of which is just to hand from the Government Statistician, the deaths from cancer numbered 901 ( giving, a percentage of all deaths from whatever causes of 8.91. Of this number 510 were males and 304 females. The decennial table provided shows a rather alarming increase in the disease, the figures for the period being as follows:—s66 (1905), 623 (1906), 674 (1907), 657 (1908), 711 (1909), 742 (1910), 809 (1911), 812 (1912), 856 (1913)' 904 (1914).

Arrangements for the "Battle of the Bullion" carnival to be held in New Plymouth next month, in aid- of the Wounded Soldiers', Fund, .are taking definite shape, and Mr W. Lints, the organiser, has arrived in New Plymouth and commenced Ins campaign to-day. The dates of the carnival and the detailed arrangements have yet to he settled. Mr Lints said it was proposed to work on the same/lines as those of the carnival at Wanganui, where about £70,000 was. collected. Tt is proposed to make the carnival a Taranaki effort, rather than confine it to New Plymouth, and th e different towns will 'he asked to combine for the single object of enabling a largo sum to be raised.

Kaponga residents had a "day out" at the Dawson Fans' House yesterday, the occasion being the field dav of the Egmont Mountain Club. The weather was very unsettled in the morning, but nevertheless, the members of the Kaponga Brass Band left home at about nine o'clock in P. W. Allen and Coy.'s motor lorry. Driven by Mr Percy Horn, of Kaponga, the motor did the journey to the Mountain House in "the very creditable time of 1 hour 10 minutes. A large number of residents did the trip to the house in motor cars, motor bikes, traps and bicycles. Stratford was well represented, three motor cars and Davey's large brake also making the journey. Altogether, a very enjoyable day was spent, through the mist and rain at midday, somewhat marred the proceedings. At eleven o'clock the Kaponga Band played one or two sei xtions in front of tiie house, hut on account of tlie rain the programme had to be completed on the verandah of the residence. The hand was under the able cqnductorship of Mr Woods. Dr. Thompson (Hawera) and Mr Allan Thompson were present in place of Professor Cockayne, who was unavoidably unable to be present. Mr Thompson,who is an eminent peologist, spent a very strenuous day and was •rewarded (by finding several specimens of rave orchids. Mr Sam Turner, F.R.G.S., '.n charge of a large party left the house about daylight and went to the suicm t of the I mountain.

The new year is a leap year, so that in 191 G: women have the privilege of proposing marriage to the men of their choice, at least, that is one of the traditions of the year in which there are 29 days in February/ Then, with regard to the birth of a child on February 29, there is a quaint old law enacted in the reign of Henry ill., which reads:—-'/Do Anno et Die Bissextill (regarding Leap Year and day) made at Westminister, Anno 21, Hen. 111., and Anno Dom. 1236. The King unto his justices on tlie bench, greeting. Know ye to take away from henceforth all doubt and ambiguity that might arise hereupon, the day increasing in the Leap Year shall be accounted for one y?cr, so that because of that day none shall be impleaded, but it.shall be taken and reckoned of the same month wherein it- groweth. and that day. and the day next going before, shall be accounted for one day. and, therefore. we do commend you that from henceforth you do cause this "to be published afore you and observed. Witness myself, at Westminister." This, though rather involved to the lay mind, is intended to convey the information that the birthday of a child born on February 29 ('Leap Year) will on other years be celebrated on February 28: