LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 46, 29 May 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Riverdale Co-op. Dairy Factory Co. has so far this, season paid out eighteenpoiice per lb. ou butter-fat to suppliers.

The Hon. J. Allen, in the House of Representatives on Friday, said infoi - mation had come to hand that the casualties would be published from a week to ten days after the occurrence of the casualties.

The annual meeting of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce will be held in the Municipal Chambers (Fire Brigade Station), at 8 o’clock to-morrow evening . The annual report to be presented at the meeting will be found on page 7 of this issue.

The proclamation issued in Australia prohibiting the use of the word “ An7,ac” as a trade-mark prompted a question in the House of Representatives on Friday, when Mr H. Poland (Ohinemuri) asked whether the'Government would take action to prevent the word being used for trade purposes in New Zealand.

Dr. Fitchctt, in “Life” for June., just issued, rightly describes the Verdun battle—or series of battles —as “an epic of the Avar.” All the military critics agree that the loiig-contmue I assault on Verdun is the most important event since the Battle 01 the Marne, and it is extremely interesting to note the varying points from whicn the operations are viewed.

At Christchurch oin Friday, Winifred Grace Webber, alias White, and Gertrude Anderson, the girl burgiais. pleaded guilty to thefts at Mosgiel and Christchurch. In sentencing them, Mi Justice Dcnniston said it was a painful case, and the girls should be looked after. He sentenced them to a month’s imprisonment on each charge, and said lie would recommend the Governor to place them in an industrial school tor training.

The mooting of ex-Boer War soldiers on Saturday afternoon discussed the proposal to form a 1 battalion, and it was decided to circularise all returned members, summoning a, meeting for Saturday, 10th June, in Stratford. The felling of those present was tersely summed up by one speaker in the phrase; ‘‘Were here as a fighting body, not as a talking body!” The report of the proceedings appear on page J of this

issue. Commissioner and -Mrs Hoddeig chief officers of th e Salvation Army in New Zealand, yesterday addressed a large gathering in the (food Templars Hall, New Plymouth, and again at night in the Theatre Koval there was a crowded attendance. Addresses were given on the Army's social work hy the Commissioner ami Mrs Hodder. 'lo-inorruw Stratford will he visited hy rhe Commissioner, and at S p.ni., in the Presbyterian ( lnircli, addresses will lie given on tin* social work. Ihe Mayor of Stratford will preside. A tea meeting is to take place at (3.30 in the Army flail, tallies for which are being given hv the Preshvlorian and Metliodi.-a Churches.

The body of Thomas Cassidy, a wool scourer, was found in the Lydis River last night with the throat cut, states the Press Association agent at Dunedin. This evening members of the Egmont Club intend holding a social function in honor of Captain Hawkins, who is visiting Stratford on final leave from Trentham. A Wellington Press Association telegram states that the Government lias decided to take the census next October, the work to be carried out by the Postal Department. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that a member of the 1-4tli Reinforcements, named Bernard Walsh, committed suicide at Karori yesterday morning by cutting bis throat with a razor. Dr. Henry was at once sent for, but the unfortunate man expired before the doctor arrived.

The lecture announced for the Town Hall last evening by Professor Wragge was- postponed on account of the inclement weather, but the Professor will deliver same, entitled “The Eternal ('inverse and the War,” this evening. Owing to an unfortunate misunderstanding, no one was in attendance at the close of the church services to explain the postponement, and it had an amusing sequel, A number of people rolled up at admission time, and one enthusiast groped his way round the back of the hall and effected an enti nee, afterwards succeeding in turning on the lights. The crowd scrambled in out of the wet and took their sea awaiting the advent of the “Prof* sm)'- ” The minutes passed with increasing heaviness and the silence might have been heard had not the incessant downpour of rain on the roof of the hall precluded the performance of a miracle. At last, the delinquent climbed upon the stage and made a clean breast of it. The following is not a verbatim report of his remarks, but at any rate thus must he have felt: “Ladies and gentlemen—--1 did it! The hall is not legally lit! Evidently, Professor Wragge is not coming! Had we not better go homei” They did, not wiser, but wetter men and women. '