LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 23, 2 May 1916, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The following new books have been added to the Stratford Public Library:—“The Secret of the Sea” (Ethel Turner).; “The Borderer,” (Harold Bindloss); “Tristram Sahib,” (I. A. R. Wylie); “The Daughter Pays,” (Mrs B. Reynolds); “Purse,” 'Alice and Claude Askew); “Lile’s Shadow Show,” (Louis Gerard); “On Toast,” W. Pott .Ridge); “The Mantle,” (P. Gogol); “The Mammott,” (Stanley Wyatt); “Just Ourselves,” (Mrs G. Poiman); “The Enemy,” (G. B. and L, Chester); “Craig Kennedy Detective,” (A. Reeve); “Three Pretty Men,” (Gilbert Caiman); “The Woman Who Understood,” (Mrs Kernhara); “Sampncl,” (A. Prydz); “Love by an India River,” (F. E. Penny); “The Obsession of Victoria,” (G. Hill Lint/.); “These Lynnekers,” (J. D. Beresford); “Somewhere in

The whale killed at Moeraki recently was first observed by Mr W. Hampstead, a Maori, says the Otago Daily Times. It had come into shallow water—about six fathoms—to roll on the bottom, a practice to which whales are addicted in order to rid themselves of parasites, barnacles, etc. Hastily procurring a small “flattie,” Messrs Hampstead and H. Edmondson—another fisherman—rowed out and attacked the mammal, which was a short distance from the cliffs. The weapons were a rifle, supplemented by an as.o and slasher in Hcu of harpoon and lance. A dozen rifle bullets having no immediate' effect, the coup do main had to be delivered with the slasher, which was used as a lance. In spite of the terrible wounds inflicted, the whale’s enormous vitality could not be overcome for fully four hours, when it died from loss of blood, the sea in the vicinity being crimson for a considerable distance. Much difficulty was experienced in towing the carcase to Moeraki, but by means of warps,' manipulated by two oil launches, it was at length successfully beached. It is believed to be a “right” whale, and is 83ft iff' length.

Tiie Premier of Queensland has received a little bill for £16,000,000 from an unknown identity. There is not much doubt, however, that the claim is from a woll-knpwn person. This , interesting personality has been quiescent for some time, and as there has been a change of Government sinde he last submited his bill, the present is an opportune occasion for him to . put in his account. This time he has magnanimously refrained from claiming the odd shillings and pence, being merely content with a round 16 millions. On that sum being forthcoming he will he prepared to forego ant further claims—even to compensation for the invention of telephones. The claimant bases his bill on the lact that a reward- of £IO,OOO was offered years ago for the discovery of a hew -.gold* field (states the Brisbane Dairy. Standard).; '-claims to have discovered the Clermont goldfield, but as the £IO,OOO was not paid to him he hp» been fadding, t 6 that' sum. compound interest eaph wear—with the assistance lof an accountant—till the amount has now assumed the alarming proportions, of £16,000,000! All the various: Governments and Ministers—Premiers and Treasurers, in,par-ticular-have been assailed in turn, but all have been obdurate and too miserly to unbutton their pockets, Appeals to the Commonwealth and to the King have been equally unsuccessful, and with each year’s delay tlio amount increases considerably, When last heard of the claim was for about 15 millions odd.