LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 41, 24 January 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A London cablegram states that in the billiard match between Inman and Gray, the Conner scored 18,000 and the lattei\ 17,705. A special meeting of the Stratford Borough Council.to discuss the Health Inspector's report and electric light proposals will be held this evening-. Information was received by the Police this morning to the effect that a hoy of 16 years was missing from Midhirst. Constable, McCowan is making inquiries in the immediate district. In Saturday's issue it was stated that the Plunket Nurse would be in attendance at the Foresters' Hall every Tuesday afternoon from 3 to 5 o'clock, but instead, the hours of attendance will be from 2 to 5, commencing from to-morrow. During a discussion on the question of afforestation at the annual Conference of the Industrial Corporation at Christchurch last week, Mr McColl, an Auckland timber merchant, stated that tawa, which was once cut down and left to rot, not being considered of any value, had been found to be an excellent wood For cabinet-making, while tuttl a noxious plant, gave out no less than four different kinds of dye.

One of the incidents on board the hospital ship Maheno as narrated by Corporal-Dispenser Donaldson, who is visiting Gore, was the spectacle of a Gurkha and a .Maori seated on the deck endeavouring to teach each other their ■ respective languages. The method adopted was to touch different 1 parts of the body and pronounce the name thereof, the mispronunciations of the Maori creating much amusement on the part of the Gurkhas* while similar slips of the Gurkha elicited equal merriment from the Maoris. A striking similarity of the language was noticeable. Both men took keen interest in this self-imposed task, and were induced to leave it with difficulty, even to partake of food. I The much-discussed and much eritiicised picnic for the returned soldiers, organised by the Canterbury Automobile Assocation and held on Sunday, turned out a brilliant success (states I the Christchurch Press). It was the I biggest thing of its kind yet done in j Christchurch for the entertainment of the returned men. At half-past Bin i the morning cars began to arrive, ana I just before the start the whole of I the north-western portion of Cathe-dral-square was completely tilled with motors, their drivers, and men in khaki. An outer ring of spectators looked wonderingly on, having probably never seen so many cars together before. The men were quickly allocated to the respective cars. and shortly after 9 ..'clock the first car left the Square, followed by S-' others. At intervals of about one hundred yards. , the car-, vvetit down the Kiccarton road in West Melton, w lie re, 4ts in other township-! en route, the inhabitants had turned out in force, lining the road to wave greetings to the men. [who responded by waving hats and . caps. Xewto'.i King, local agent for the | Shaw, SaviH an:! Albion Shipping Company, Ltd., iias received advice 'that the sailing date of rite R.M.S "Corinthic" iias been po-i.pnmvl fron , the 20th to Wednesday. 23th inst., at 1.0!" li . " ! j

a Hastings reports that the rainfall ' "ii Saturday and .Sunday refreshed the - country ( hut a further downpour would s be welcomed. V\ eather Forecast.—The indications are tor northerly moderate to strong winds prevailing and freshening, increasing haze and cloudiness preceding change. barometer Jailing.—Bates' Wellington. Midhirst is to hold a concert and dance on Wednesday evening next to welcome home Private Henry Teaipero and at the sam e time to bid f.-ire- ' well to seven other young soldiers now on their final leave. The function is being arranged by the Mid.shir.st Soldiers' Farewell and Reception Committee, and promises to le a big gathering. Owing to the extraordinary pressure oi work in the Scandinavian sbipbuild- ■ ing yards, the Brusgaard Steamship | Company, of Drain. Norway, has ordered three steamers from China. • Thus, for the first time in history, i China is a competitor with the European ship-builders.' Two steamers will be delivered in 1916, and the third in 1917.

The Otira Gorge at present is a perfect picture, states the correspondent of the Lyttelton Times, as the rata is in full bloom. The bloom is exceptionally heavy this year, and in the setting sun it gives the moun-tain-sicle an appearance of lire. The \ellow rata, supposed to he the only one in the South island, is also in heavy bloom this year, and is much sought after as a novelty.

A Press Association telegram from Hastings states: The Fruit-growers' Association has decided to arrange for a free and constant supply of fruit i'n season for the various military camps troopships, and H..M.S. Philomel. The Chairman stated that if local orchardists contributed only one per cent., tin's would mean 500 cases. The Association also appointed a committee to look after the orchards belonging to the men on active service

The Refresher Camp at Palmerston North has been in full swing for oyer a week now, and plenty of hard work has been done. A Stratford man who went down for a week states that great rivalry reigns between the various squads. The majority of No. 4 squad are Taranaki boys ? and are looked upon as the best of the five squads in camp. Visiting officers freely commented upon the smartness and fine marching of the men. The usual friendly horseplay prevailed and midnight raids upon one particular squad were a constant . source of planning upon the part of the raiders. One fact was plain—Taranaki was never raided. The messing was in the hands of a caterer and, except for one day, the orderly officer had a sinecure duty. In .the evenings, lectures were given and great interest was manifested by the officers, future and present. The weather was very hot for the first few days, but rain set in about Thursday. This, however, did not delay the work, as the tine buildings on the A. and P. grounds were used. General leave was granted every evening after lectures. During the week a visit was paid to Kangiotu, where many Taranaki soldiers are in training. The camp there is a line healthy one, and everyone looked well and in good heart. On Sunday last the -Medical Corps from Awapuni Camp paraded on the Showgrounds for Divine service. It is stated thai a finer body of men would be hard to find, their movements being particularly well executed.

A Bargain.—For quick sale, one 2seater Motor Car fitted with electric light and self-starter, fully equipped. Appjy '•.Motor," Stratford Evening Post.'"