LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 9, 9 August 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Speaking on the Appropriation Bill in rlie House on Monday night, Mr T. I'a rata (Southern .Maori District) criticised strongly the methods adopted by the Prohibitionists in the House in regard to the early-closing movement. “They tried to get in by a trap-door,” lie declared, “instead of coming in at the front door like Rangitirasf.” “They should,” he added, “have 1 been prepared to abide by tin; decision of the people on v-the licensing question as given at the last general election.”

In the House of Representatives on Monday afternoon, Mr G. Anderson (Matanra) and Mr HI G. Ell (Christ-, church South) asked whether a salary wa s being paid to the Hon. J. A. Hunan (Minister for Education). They contended that the Minister was doing the work, and he ought to receive a salary. The Prime Minister stated that lie could not state the position, but an arrangement had been made, and members would recognise that it was satisfactory if he could say what it was.

On the third reading of the Appropriation Bill, Sir Joseph Ward (Post-master-General) said, in response to an interjection by the Hon. R. H. Rhodes (Ellesmere), that he hoped to bo able to take up the question of the cable service with the Pacific Cable Company, and to secure the adoption of a cheap code system lor the benefit of business men and ot soldiers and their friends. The late Sir Henniker Heaton believed in cables at Id a word, and lie might have been right. Personally, he himself went as far as cables at Gd a word. At Gd a word the cables would he fully employed night and day, and lie thought that they would pay better that they did now. A member: “The cables would have tp be duplicated.” Sir Joseph Ward: “Well, so they ought to be, as a matter of safety.” He would do what he could to,have the change made.

A long search and a weary wait have usually to he faced by the seeker after a house to let in Wellington (the Times says). Nearly very house agent in the city has a waiting list of people anxious to find a dwelling, and some of them have been waiting a long time. It is stated that almost “any old sort of a house” will readily he taken up. The competition is so keen that people walk about the suburbs, not only to search for empty houses, but to ...try and discover signs of the erection of houses which may possibly be to lot later. A certain landlord had a very striking experience' in this regard lately. He determined to build three houses, and si'nl a representative to mark off the plot of land. Before lids operation was finished, before the first piece oi timber or tin' first brick was on the ground, all the houses bad been let on lease —one for five years, the second for three years, and the third for two years. * Till-; FARM KIPS WORRIES. .Many farmers are growing prematurely old, not through worrying over tin 1 low prices of stock (for prices were never better), but through struggling ami wrestling with those . . . returns connected with the Income Tax. But relief lias come (Oh! lucky farmer!) in the shape of “The “Egmont'’ Ear-1 mer’s Cash Book and Ledger.” This is the result of the combined brains oi a practical farmer and a local accountant. We don’t know who supplied most of the ideas. 'I he farmer, wo imagine, because the book is very simple, and yet the accountant is in evi deuce, because the hook contains all that is required to make up returns foi the Income Tax. We imagine the farmer had a big say in arranging tlm price of this useful hook, which is only .'ls 6d; postage ml. Procurable from H. T. Jones ami Son, Ltd., Wanganui, and Stratford stationers. x

A final reminder is given of the concert to be held in St. Andrew’s Hall this evening. At a meeting of the Taranaki Education Board 111 New Plymouth to-day, Mr H. A 1 asters was unanimously elected chairman. Privates €. Vickers, E. Lacey, and A. Blanchard, will be farewelied at a concert and dance at Midhirst on Friday evening. Weather forecast.—The indications are for westerly strong winds to gale and hacking by west to south. AVeather will probably be cold and changeaide. Rain probable. Barometer unsteady.—Bates, Wellington. 'fho following team will represent the Stratford Senior Cadets against Inglewood on Victoria Park on Thursday : James, Sharrock, Lehmann, McCullough, Vickers (2), Kivell (3), Clemow, Shutter, Crosson, Chard, Neal, Budding. First Emergency: Simmons. Play commences at 3 p.m. An inquest concerning the death of Air William Collins, who died suddenly on Atonday night, was held yesterday, before Ah J. MeCiuggage, J.P., acting-coroner, and a jury of six. After hearing the evidence of deceased’s daughter and son and Dr. Steven, a verdict of death "through natural causes was returned. BMa ansa: