LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 55, 10 February 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At the Sydney wool sales (states the cables), scoured wool touched thirtytwo pence, which ic the highest price recorded for many years. The YVaipa County Council lias redded to have nothing whatever to do with the new recruiting scheme, "believing that it is an attempt on the part of the Government to cast responsibilities upon the shoulders of others." The monthly meeting of the .Stratford County Council will be held at the County office, Stratford, on Wednesday next, at 11 a.m. (Jr. Smith has given notice to move: "That £l5O he voted from the West Riding Special Fund" towards'the cost of building the bridge on the North Cardiff Road."

Writing to the Minister for Defence from Cairo on December 21st (reports an Auckland Press Association message) Lieut-Col. Rhodes says: "I hope it is realised in New Zealand in time to prevent any more of .Miss Rout's volunteer sisters from leaving the country, that of 12 here two qualified nurses can obtain employment, but the other ten are finding the greatest difficulty in finding anything to do."

The eruption of .Mount Ngaruahoe last evening puzzled many loca" residents for a time, but the flashes of fire appearing from the same locality evidently convinced spectators of the cause. It was said to be an interesting phenomenon, the displays like lightning appearing at intervals extending over an hour. Latest telegraphic news states that the Mountain is quiescent.

The Borough Council hold the ordinary meeting on Monday evening. His Worship the Mayor has given notice to move:—"That the waterworks bylaws be amended in the direction v of making the following charges on all water-flushed closets in the Borough connected with the public sewer: For one water closet connected with the, sewer, £1 per annum; for each extra ■ closet, 10s per annum; and that the charge come into force on Ist Aprilj 1916."

Weather Forecast. —The indications are for variable and strong breezes with southerly moderate to strong prevailing. Expect changeable and showery weather for short time. Barometer falling after about 36 hours.— Bates, Wellington.

The New Zealand Times states that a Wellington gentleman is desirous that New Zealand should offer a substantial prize to the person, or persons, who is successful in bringing down the first German Zeppelin in England. The gentleman in question is sanguine that between £3OOO and £IOOO might easily be raised, and an incentive would be given to those of an inventive turn of mind to evolve a machine that would effectually combat Zeppelins. If a fund is established in Wellington the informant is prepared to contribute ten guineas.

At dawn to-day Stratford experienced a tropical downpour accompanied by thunder and lightening. Few people were not awakened by the noise of the storm. The heavens appeared to have been unlocked, as the rain came down in a solid sheet, and the effect of the fall upon the roofs of buildings was awe-inspiring especially when on extra vivid lightning flash accompanied by a loud long roll of thunder burst upon the startled senses. The water spouting and channels were over-taxed and overflowed, but fortunately the storm was not of long duration, and in half an hour the atmospheric conditions were again normal, leaving the air clear and cool after a muggy period in the early part of the night presaging a storm.

An object-lesson in the cultivation of the ordinary variety of broad bean was afforded by a parcel m the

possession of Mrs T. Cuthbert, of Pembroke Road, who called at "The Stratford Evening Post." Three welllilled pods of the beans were each a foot in length,, being specimens of the produce of a piece of land which bad received no artificial manure, hut had been liberally treated to liquid from the cow-yard, while alongside those of phenomenal size lay others not more than a third in length and proportionately undeveloped, which were grown in an adjoining row without manure. Mr Cuthbert is a close student of scientific farming, and says that the value of humus in conjunction with liquid manure is woefully underestimated. The use of superphosphates and basic slag were well enough in their way when used in moderation, but eventually without the use of other natural manures the sward instead of being a pretty shade of green is found to bo yellow and sickly-looking. Over-stocking is another means by which mam farmers make trouble for themselves, and more is lost in this way, he considers, than even in understocking. Mi' Cuthbert is an intensive farmer to .some purpose, it seems, as his monthly cheque from eleven cows reaches the highly satisfactory amount of £33. The loss to the country through weeds, over-stocking, ignorance in regard to the use of manures, and extensive as opposed to intensive farming, lie estimates at practically the total amount of export for the Oomin-

ion. As to the first-mentioned, viz.. weeds, Mr Cuthbert foresees Taranaki a mass of infertility through those pests unless very great care and diligence is exercii ed by the fanning community from now onwards. The highways are being kept clear, it is quite true, but the gullies and more inacessible nails of Hie countryside are veritable breeding grounds for all sorts of weeds.

A meeting of the committee of the Plunket Society was held on the 6th I inst. in the Foresters;' Hall. There was a good attendance, and it was un- • animously decided to hold a children's fancy dress dance and games on 3rd March. The Society is calling a further meeting of members, and all others • interested, for Monday next. 14th inst.. to discuss details. It is hoped that the general public will give their hearty sympathy and support, as the Society's work of saving the lives of the babies is one of the best means of being truly patriotic; and helping our Empire in this, its great need. The following letter has been forwarded to the Minister of Defence:—• Dear sir.— We, the members of the Ngaere Women's Christian Temperance Union, beg to call your attention to the sad fact that the public, regardless of your appeals to them not to "treat" our soldiers, continue to do so. We would respectfully suggest that an order prohibiting the practice of "shouting," be immediately put in force, We would even beg ' you to take more stringent measures and prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquor to all men wearing the uniform of a soldier, as has been done by our Allies (Russia and France). A shortage of capable shorthand writers and typists is still troubling the Public Service Commissioners (reports the New Zealand Times). There ' are places waiting in the Public Service for girls and women who can show a reasonable degree of proficiency, but applicants of the right kin<] do not come forward. The shortage is particularly severe in Wellington, where the supply of shorthand writers and typists appears to fall far short of the demand. A girl sixteen years of age, able to write shorthand at the rate of eighty words per minute, can start in the Public Service at a salary of about £1 a week. An eighteen-year-old girl who can write 110 words per minute will receive £96 a year. These appointments make the girls civil servants, with permanent employment (subject to good behaviour), regular pormotion and superannuation benefits. The terms seem to be more attractive than those offered by commercial houses.