LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 11, 11 August 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Town Clerk wishes to acknowledge receipt of £2 from C.W. for the Belgians, £2 for the Serbians, and '-'l,

for the Navy League, also a donation through the post from an anonymous donor of CI 3s 6d for the Belgians.

The .Motor Journal say s that the British advance north of the Somme increased the army's consumption of petrol by 1,000,000 gallons a week. The traction engines of the huge "caterpillar" gun consumed a gallon a mile.

As a result of the Education Board's deliberations in committee on Wednesday afternoon on the question of manual and technical education, it was decided that the 'whole Board should meet, as a committee, to go thoroughly into the matter at Stratford on Wednesday next, at 10 a.m.

"There is always a funny side," writes Private A. B. Kidson of Nelson from France. "The day after the Daylight Saving Bill came into force in England a note was thrown over by Fritz, asking: 'What's the right time, Anzacs?'"

Mr B, L. Wigley, of Fairlie, states that the chamois turned out on the slopes of Mount Cook some seven years ago have thriven exceedingly. Several herds numbering from 15 to 20 have been seen, and numerous tracks have been observed. The three that turned out have also increased, and their numbers are estimated to hp about 15. The chamois were the gift of the Emperor of Austria.

Last Tuesday afternoon, at the Salvation Army Hall, a branch of tin--Home League was successfully started by about a dozen ladies, who, with great enthusiasm, entered their names as members, and have decided to knit and sew' garments for wounded soldiers. On Tuesday next, a social is to be held in the Army Hall to gather funds to procure materials. Donations in cash or kind for this worthy object will be gladly received and acknowledged.

The Ladies' Tea Booms and Bed Cross Mart were last Saturday in charge of the Stanley and Beaconsfield Boad ladies, who report a successful day. The Red Cross returns were £3 17s 6d, while the receipts at the 'Tea Booms netted £4 os. A cake donated by Mr Townsley realised £1 3s, and was won by. Mrs J. Donald. The Tea Booms and Bed Cross Mart will be open as usual to-morrow. Donations of all kinds will be gratefully received, and the committee desires to impress upon a generous public that every contribution, however small, does, something to alleviate the discomforts of the men in the trenches.

The tragedy of the maid who was left-''waiting at the church*? for her errant ' bridegroom who had found time to reflect, has been sung the world over, but it lias been left to Gisborne (states the Times) to cap the story of the dolorous damsel with the record of a ease in which both bride and , bridegroom neglected to appear before the parson at the time appointed. A wedding was arranged for Friday afternoon at St. Andrew's, and the Rev. J. Aitken, who was to bare officiated, was the only member of the party to turn up. Hist Dry does not state whether loves ardour was cooled by the rain, whether impassable roads was responsible, or whether a deadly quarrel at the last moment shattered an early spring romance, but the nuptial knot has not vet been tied, and Mr Aitken

has by tins time become tired of waiting in the.cold for the dilatory couple and the church is deserted.

The recent heavy weather throughout the Dominion has had farreaching effects, not the least as fur as Stratford is concerned being the dislocation of the film supplies for Foley's Pictures. Already this week

the management were inconvenienced by the non-arrival from Foxton of their mid-weok programme, and now it appeal's that the floods down there are still preventing communication with this end of the Island. "The Arab," a very fine Oriental film, was hilled for to-night and Saturday, but at the eleventh hour last night Mr Foley found he was landed in extremis, and pet medium of the "Stratford Evening Post," to-day he apologies to picture patrons for any disappointments occasioned by the re-ar-langement. It is possible, however, that this is a blessing in disguise, as an excellent Australian bush story, entitled "Stingaree," complete in itself, has been secured through the good ofiioos of Mr Saunders, of New Plymouth. Along with the "Stingaree' is a very good comedy, "The Shabbies," which is spoken of very highly in the picture world. The supporting films are up to standard, and Mr Foley gives his personal guaramee that the programme is not affected m the slightest liy the upset of the usual circuit plans. The full programme is published on the front page. Thai Cream Separator.—You havi been promising yourself for so long Now is die time to buy a good machine at a reas..->n!ue price. We have just j landed stocks of "Household" and ■•IVn.-cta," both good qual'b mac 1 tunes, an.', will !»■ pleased to see vol, i before making your purchase—McMillan and Fredrie. iiroadway, Stratford. *

It is understood (says the News) that regulations are now beirfg prepared, under the War Regulations Aft, which will impose absolute prohibition on women entering and being served with liquor in hotel bars. Demands have been framed by the agricultural and pastoral workers, I now in conference in Wellington, for ! a new agreement for shearers and shed-hands in the Wellington district. For shearers a rate of 25s per hunj dred, with rations, is sought; for shed-hands, a minimum of £2 10s per week and found; for cooks, a niinl- ! mum of £4 per week ; wool pressors, Is 9d per hale, with minimum of £3 per week.

Intending passengers for Australia are warned by the Internal Affairs Department that, commencing with the Moeraki yesterday, all persons over fifteen years of age travelling from'NewZealand to the Commonwealth will require to obtain permits before they will be allowed to leave the Dominion. To minimise inconvenience.as much as possible, particularly to lady passengers, special arrangements will be made by the department to issue permits on'application at .k-> permit office, Government Lniidings, Wellington, any time from 9 a.m. up to the

time of departure of the steamer, on the applicants establishing their British nationality and bona fides.

The action against the Wairoa Bell, claiming £IOOO in.; alleged libel on

account of its statements regarding the segregation of Austrians on the gum fields, has been discontinued by the Paregarenga Gum Company, the newspaper making a complete withdrawal of all statements reflecting i.n the company, and agreeing at its own cost and expense to advertise an apology throughout the Dominion. The North Auckland Times, from which

£2OOO is claimed on the same grounds has filed a defence. In a recent issue the Times says: "In view of an impression, which has gained currency that the proprietor of the Times has apologised and thus climbed down from the attitude taken up in connection with the aliens question, we give the rumour an emphatic denial. We intend to defend their action against us. To uso a sporting phrase, we intend to "have a run for our money/'

The Stratford Gun Club held another successful shoot on Messrs Nelson and Green's property, East Boad, yesterday afternoon. Sweepstakes for clays were arranged, and) ■:« some good shooting was recorded. The most successful competitor was Mr A. Brown, of Mahoe, who got into the money every time he faced the trap. The results were as follows:--' Ist Shoot: F. Whittle (19 yards) cracked nine out of nine, while A. Brown and P. Collins registered seven and divided the balance, of the prize-money. 2nd Shoot: A. Brown (1-!V.< F. Collins (fs),. and P. Lundberg (12) secured the possible of nine and divided. 3rd Shoot: A. Brown (15) was unbeatable, registering nine out of nine. Baker-Green (9), P. Lundberg (13), F. O'Connor (8) and A. Nelson (8) with seven, shot off for the other money. A Box Shoot off 27 yards, concluded the sport, and after the first round F. Whittle and Baker-Green fought out the honor., the former eventually being success to]. Mr H. Woolveu, of Bltham, wftojj is to referee the "big £IOO live-bird shoot on August 30,' made the acquaintance of the shooters in the important role of adjudicator.

With further reference to the .question asked in the House of Representatives on ■ie 7th inst.- by Mr J- C. Thomson, M.P. for Wallace, as to "whether young men now enlisting, sons of well-to-do parents, are allowed to proceed to camps unattached to any reinforcements to study for a commission," the Hon. J. Allen (Minister for Defence) states: "Non-commissioned officers are sent into camp on probation for certain definite reinforcement drafts. In the ease of Mounted Rifles, and Artillery they go in three months in advance, and in the case of Infantry and other arms two months in advance of the men of their draft. Probationary non-commissioned officers who fail to come up to requirements are transferred as drafts to a reinforcement draft leaving earlier. Transfers to later reinforcements are not allowed.". Replying to the question in the House in the absence of Mr Allen, the Prime Minister said that "he could assure the hon. gentleman that whatever might be the faults of the Defence Department, no preference was given to anyone. There was no political influence, and no unfair advantages were given to any man joining the Expeditionary Forces. He would be glad to have the early part of the question looked into." The above statement is the outcome of the inquiry.

It has been decided to defer the Paiinerston North .Jubilee celebrations until peace has been declared, and to hold them in conjunction with 'the peace rejoicings.

" Charles Murtach, a ganger on the railway line, was nmj over at Huntly station on Monday night by the 6.30 p.m. train from "faupiri. The van ran over the calf of the man's right leg, cutting it off.

Weather Forecast.—The indications are for variable and strong breezes, but westerly moderate winds prevail; ing; Weather probably cool and changeable, with .scattered showers. The barometer has a falling tendency. —Bates, Wellington.

The members of the Stratford Croquet Club held a progressive euchre party last evening in the Parish Hall. The prizes were won by Mesdames Boon and Purcell and Messrs P. Pv. Stewart and F. Dixon. The musical programme submitted ny the Egmont Orchestra was greatly appreciated. , Other items were a song by Mr Waite and recitations by Miss Rowe and Mr Warner. After supper a short dance brought a very enjoyable evening to a close.

The North China Herald relates that the police at Harbin (Manchuria) have unearthed a thieves' school, and among the things seized were translations into Chinese of, the doings of Sherlock Holmes, and, according to the statements of the arrested, they all attended a. daily school which was conducted by their chief, who read to his pupils the exploits of famous cracksmen and detectives, and instructed them in the art of housebreaking. Account books were also found, and entries were made daily as to'the property they had got hold of, how much it realised, and how the money was divided.

Advice to hand from the trenches in, France states that a new stretcher fov trench work has been invented by Private C. Cooke, brother of Mr G. H. Cooke, of Napier (reports the Telegraph). It is constructed so thatall the weight is borne by the shoulders of two men, and their hands aro thus free. Should the trench be a .shallow one, the arrangement ever permits of the bearers crawling along on their hands and knees without causing the wounded soldiers any discomfort. The stretcher was universally admired as a great improvement on'the old style, and Private Cooke was to explain >* before headquarters, with the result that he wa s sent off to the workshop to make a trial dozen for other carriers. It was expected the new stretcher would be later generally adopted.

Municipal responsibilities on the Main Trunk do not sit heavily on councillors, as the following paragraph .from the Ohakune Times jllus-, trates:—A special meeting of the Borough Council was convened, the other evening to consider applications for the position of acting town clerk. His Worship the Mayor was present, also Councillors Goldfinch, Barry, and Dunne. As a quormr* was not present, and it was know that Councillors Moran, Hope, and Priest were attending a euchre tournament, his Worship; sent a message round to ask that at least one of the councillors should attend to*, make up the.quorum. the reply returned was that as a matter' of • principle none of these three councillors could attend. They Considered the meeting should not have been held on a night when a euchre tournament was on. The consideration of the application had subsequently to be held over until the next evening at 7 o'clock. ■ %»

A suspicious-looking case of a request for £25 has been brought under the notice of the Napier Telegraph. About eight weeks ago a Napier soldier was in" London on leave, and wrote his mother in Napier to'help herself to his accumulated' pay, as he had plenty of monev.. On Monday, thss parents received a ' cablegram from London, asking for the immediate despatch of £25. The soldier's Christian name is "Sydney," and the cable message was signed "Sid," quite an unusual signature for the person concerned. The authorities have been apprised of the circumstances, but refuse to take any action. It was suggested that the money should be sent and the police at Home advised to watch for the person lifting it. As many of these bogus wires have been received, and complaints have been made to the police (the "Telegraph" says) it would appear that the circumstances, connected with the appeal presents a favourable opportunity of proving or disproving the allegation that an organised gang is at work in London.