LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 6, 5 August 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It is reported that the traitor Casement’s brother Tom lias been fighting with great dash and gallantry in the East African fighting under General Smuts. Hie is senior lieutenant of the 7th South African Infantry.

Mr Dickson Macfarlane, of Woodville, chairman of the Rivorbank Cooperative Dairy Company, lias consented to contest the Pahiatua seat in the interests of the Labor party, the executive of the Nov.' Zealand Labor Party endorsing his candidature.—Press As-

sociation message,

A Press Association message reports that at Whakatane a lire in the main business block destroyed the shops of Chilton, confectioner, Duvall, chemist, and Bowles, tailor. The adjoining premises were damaged. The total loss is estimated at £ISOO.

A resident of the Ashburton district has received a letter from friends in London in which they make strong comment on the great increase which has taken place in the cost of living since the commencement of the war (says the Guardian). He quotes the following prices for everyday requirements: Bread, 0d per quartern loaf; milk, Gd per quart; butter, 2s 4d per lb; cheese, Is Gd peril); calf liver, Is der), Is Id per lb.

The reputation of Mr 1). C. Bates as a weather-prophet and “rain-maker” will not bo by any means diminished by the fact that he now lends his: name to a specially-constructed and very high-class English-made barometer, made specially to suit the Southern Hemisphere weather, conditions and fully guaranteed in every detail. Mr B. J. Peters, of Broadway, has been appointed Stratford agent for the “Bates Patent Weather Cycle for New Zealand,” as this improved barometer is called, and one of the instruments is on view in his shop window. In view of a possible election for the vacant seat on the Borough Council it would be as well if all persons possessing a qualification to vote should pay a visit to the Town Clerk’s office and have their names enrolled. The franchise is a very wide one and all persons over the age of twentyone can vote. As it is nearly eighteen months ago since the present roll was was compiled there must lie a large number of people whose names do not appear thereon. It is impossible for tin l Town Clerk to know every person who has a right to vote,’and it will be the burgesses’ own fault if names are missing from the roll. Enrolment forms may. he obtained at the Town Clerk’s office, and as the roll closes on Friday next at 4.30 p.m. burgesses should lose no time in making enquiries. For the poll on the loan proposals, only ratepayers can vote. Qualifications possessed by husband are also possessed by wife and vice

versa. 'Many improper stories have been circulated in a large number of city and country centres throughout Australasia that certain well-known brands of imported spirits are unobtainable through tin 1 existing war conditions. In particular, Wolfe’s Schnapps lias been singled out in this regal'd. On the authority ol tiie Wolfe’s Schnapps Company we are requested to draw the attention of all persons interested hotelkeepers, spirit merchants and the public generally—that such aggravating statements are without any foundation as to this article. Wolfe’s Schnapps has been before our public for about sixty years, and lias been always recognised as the real original article hearing this name. Tin* Agents, .M. .Moss and Co., for Wolfe’s Schnapps, which is and always lias been manufactured m Holland, will investigate any complaints that may be sent them to either ibeir Sydney or Melbourne olliees.

Tho raffle for the Studebaker car presented by Mr Newton King in aid of the patriotic funds will be drawn in New Plymouth on Wednesday even- x ing next, at 8 o’clock. Weather forecast.—The indications are for easterly moderate to strong winds and backing by east to north and freshening. The weather is cloudy and will rain later. The barometer lias a falling tendency.—Hates, Wellington. At the Haymarket to-day, Mr Beere, of the Agricultural Department, gave two demonstrations of removing veils from calves. There was a good attendance at the demonstrations at botli of which Mr Deere made thorough explanations of the procedure to be adopted. A Pi ■ess Association message from Palmerston North states; After a nineteen days’ hearing, which is a record for a civil case in the Dominion, the jury disagreed in the case C. K. Speirs v. P. F. Wall, a claim for £14,000 for damages to plaintiff’s flax property through a lire which allegedly originated in Wall’s and spread to Speirs’. The defendant denied that the fire originated on ins place, this being the main point involved. Last night Charlie Chaplin was responsible for break dig all previous records for a Friday night’s attendance at His Majesty’s Theatre. The programme was one of the best -yet screened at His Majesty’s, and it fully warranted the attendance. Mr Foley has secured the sole rights of all future Charles Clmplin films for Stratford. The programme will be screened for the last time to-night.

A police raid among the Austrians employed at the Dominion Company's works at Portland resulted ; n the seizure of quite a little armoury of lethal weapons, says the Auckland “Star.” Some dozen revolvers were confiscated, several rifles, and two sugar-hags full of cartridges. The occurrence has caused an uneasy feeling, especially among women, leports the “Star’s” Omerahi - correspondent, and people are wondering how - any caches of arms may be lying hidden between there and-the North Cape. Also, it is asked, why have the police delayed action until this late date. It is common knowledge that, since the war. the majority of the Austrians in the North have carried arms.