LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 51, 5 February 1916, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Weather Forecast.—The indications are for northly moderate to strong winds prevailing. The weather will probably prove squally with heavy showers. Barometer unsteady with a rising tendency .—Bates, Wellington. The keenness for business that is characteristic of the United States is illustrated in the fact that a Dunedin firm has received from the National City Bank of New York a copy of its latest “statement of condition,” accompanied by a letter in which it is suggested that, as “one of the results of the present crisis in European affairs is tlte nnparelled disturbance of the world’s exchanges,” it is “desirable for business men in other parts of the world to establish banking relations in the United States,” and in which, also, “the many services the bank can render its depositors and clients” are sketched. The Hon. Hanan, who went to Invercargill on Thursday, informed a reporter that the work of grading all certificated teachers in the Dominion had been inaugurated. The Assistant Director of Education (Mr Catighley) was now formulating a scheme for the consideration of Dr. Andepson, the, -Director. .Regulations will lie drawn up indicating in what ways the grading list will form the basis on which the appointment of teachers will be made. The result of the scheme will be that all positions in schools will be open to teachers. Mr TJaughley will meet the inspectors in the various centres, to explain and initiate the scheme. He is now in Auckland, and is expected to complete his visits about March 18th, The following new books have been! added to the Stratford Public Library;—“The Dust of Life” (Joseph Hocking), “A Little House in War! time” (Agnes and E. Castle), “ r l he •Ends of the Earth” (Mary daunt), “Something Fresh” (P.• d. Wodehouse), “A Tight Corner” (A. ■W. Marchmont), “The one dirl in the World” (Charles darvice), “The drey Dawn” (Stewart E. White), “Dear Enemy” (Jean Webster), “Because of These Things” (Marjorie Bowen), “Ibe Little Ilaiad” (Maurice -Hewlett), “Shorty McCabe on the Job” (Sewell Ford), “The Double Shadow” (W. Le Queux), “Passion and Faith” (Dorothea derard), “The date of Dreams” (Peggy (;rant), “These Twain” (Arnold Bennett), “The Accolade” (E. Sidgwick), “The Bottle Fillers” (Edward Noble), “The Lost Prince” (Francis Burnett). Much is heard in these days of the “white man’s burden.” The “pack’ is not a heavy one in the “British Crown Colony of Fiji, for in this beautiful group, whose future is so indissolubly linked up, for better or for worse, with the future ol the Pacific, there is (writes a correspondent of the Otago Daily Times) no system of education provided for the offspring of the 40,000 Indian settlers. The children of Chinese settlers are not per mitted to attend the public scnools. The educational wants of the native (Fijian) children are catered lor by the churches, and attendance "f course, not compulsory. The Fijians are in a measure matured lor. Ibe Chinese are as yet few. The Indians are many, and ignorant. Thus there is growing up in the Pacific the menace of an uneducated as well as undersized. neurotic race, begotten largely of child wedlock. Last week proved a somewhat eventful period in the life of an adventurous little fellow of two and ahalf years, who resides with his parents at Terrace-end, says the Manawatu Standard. On Wednesday he was taken for a walk to the river, and, unknown to his guardian, made his way into the water, and would certainly have been drowned hut for the timely arrival of a girl, who went to the rescue. The following day the little hoy wandered on to the railway line as a train was approaching, and a tragedy was again averted by the driver bringing Ids train to a standstill. Saturday had a still further adventure in store. Being taken to a picture entertainment, lie evidently tired of the performance and made his way out, unseen, to the Square, where he was discovered and taken home by a young lady, who notified ' the police of the boy’s whereabouts. ■ The police later had an enquiry from an anxious mother, and they bad the satisfaction ol giving the information • which led to flic little fellow’s restora- * tion.