LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 52, 7 February 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Loudon cablegram states that at billiards Stevenson, witn a '-core "1 18,000, beat Inman 17,590. The secretary of the Ladies’ Patriotic Committee wishes to aeknow-, ledge with thanks the receipt ot £1 ( from Mrs R. H. White for sale of Macrano hags, and £2 from Mis Crawshaw for sale of cakes. During the week (states the Press Association), the Pensions Board dealt, with 57 applications. Forty-one ■ claims were macie by soldiers, and sixteen by the dependents of soldiers. Nine were granted pensions, and twenty-one were granted allowances; of dependents fifteen were granted pensions, and one an allowance. Since the commencement of the war, pensions have been granted a,s follows; Soldiers (93) £4865 per annum, wives (103) £9092, other dependents (337) £10.240. At Greymouth last week. William Clough pleaded guilty and was fined £IOO for having in hi s possession opium brought from Christchurch in a dress basket. The police seized twelve half-pound tins that were among accused’s effects while he was a passenger on the train, Mr John Payne, M.P., has blossomed out into a newspaper proprietor. In. the first issue of his paper, “The Philistine,” he says: From time to time, in the pages of “The Philistine,” I shall communicate to our readers those matters concerning Parliament which, as electors, 1 think they are entitled to know. In so doing I want every elector, no matter what shade of political opinion he or she is, to realise the fact that 1 owe no allegiance to any party, that T was sent to Parliament by the people of Grey Lynn to further the cause of the people as a whole. I am quite certain that if you could realise the innate rottenness of Parliament, yon would get to work and kick ns all out and make a fresh start.

The Defence Office has issued a circular to newspapers asking that in the interest of the general public and of returned soldiers and men going to or returning to the various military camps in New Zealand, a reminder be given of the prohibition of supply of liquor to troops on troop or hospital trains, and specially deprecating “treating” soldiers. The circular says: “The custom of ‘shouting for soldiers’ by the public is, in any excess, a most mistaken form of kindness, too often resulting in the recipients gettin gthemselves into trouble, losing their self-respect, and bringing discredit on the uniform. The public are to do all in their power to discountenance and discourage “shouting” for soldiers, whether in town or travelling by ordinary passenger trains or steamers. Recruiting officers, patriotic committees, and all in authority in towns and districts are specially asked to assist the military authorities in this direction.”

“THE BRISTOL” FOR MUSIC.

Buy at “The Bristol” is sound advice to everyone requiring sheet or book music, a Gramophone or a dependable, high-grade Band Instrument. The newest songs and instrumental pieces are on sale at “The Bristol” soon after their first hearing in London. In “The Bristol’s” Gramophone Parlors at Lamhton Quay, Wellington, one can enjoy without charge a demonstration of that wonderful instrument “His Master's Voice.” The stock of Records numbers many thousands. 1 here is at command an unequalled selection. The noted double-sided “Zonophone” Records constitute remarkable value at the new prices. The ten inch have been reduced from 3s (id to 2s 9d, and the twelve inch from os 6d to 4s. Bandsmen should note that “The Bristol” people are the New Zealand Agents for the celeorated Hawke s' Band Instruments, which have played so many famous hands to first place in leading competitions. The Bristol Piano Co.. Lid., Wellington. M. J. Brookes, North Island Manager. Local Representative; G. W. Mills.

A native litigant wired his solicitor at the Dannevirke Courthouse: "Don’t carry on the case till I get there. I’m very busy. My uncle is dead !” Weather Forecast.—The indications are for strong breezes. Expect warm and humid conditions. Increasing haze and cloudiness. The barometer has a falling tendency.—Bates, Wellington. Householders who can accommodate pupils attending the District High School are invited to communicate with the Headmaster and give particulars as to terms. The pupils will spend their week-ends at home with their parents.

Few records can beat that of the New Zealand Rugby football team, which visited Australia in 1913. There were 18 in the party, including the manager, and already 14 are at the front or on their wav there.

'Hie Stratford School concert which was to have been held m December, but was postponed on account of an outbreak of diphtheria, will be held in the Town Hall on Friday evening. The programme of events will be found in the advertising columns.

Mrs McFerrar, of Palmerston North, lias received a number of postcards from “somewhere in France.” Separately the cards are pictures representing different kinds of German “frightfulness.” Grouped together they make a most revolting picture of the face of the Emperor of the Huns.

The inspiration and workmanship are typically French, and the effect is startling in the extreme.

According to Mr Rieser secretary of the Hoboken Board of Trade and member of the 7th Regiment National Guard, New York, who Inis returned from an observation tour in Germany, four or more “dummy” Kaisers travel daily about Germany and the war zone in pursuance of a carefully-thought-out plan to protect the real Kaiser against capture or injury from the Allies’ aircraft. At Geraldine recently several small boys went out bird-nesting. Some time later, whilst they were returning quite unconcernedly—minus one of their number—they were questioned by a gentleman who thought bo bad heard a splash. On a search being made, the missing lad was discovered hanging over a barbed-wire fence, with his head immersed in a creek. Fortunately he was discovered in the nick of time, for when rescued he was all but drowned. At the Dunedin Police Court on Friday, George Thomas Gillies was charged with having committed mischief hy‘ killing a heifer valued at £3, the property of a neighbour. Accused pleaded guilty under aggravating cir-

cumstanccs, and was lined £lO. The neighbour put a nine-months-old heifer on a vacant section close to Gillies’s, and the latter became very much annoyed. He said the animal was a nuisance, and informed the neighbour’s wife that unless the animal was taken away he would shoot it. It was still there next day, and Gillies went along with a rifle and bred seven shots, killing it.