LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 48, 23 September 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A movement is on foot among the cadets of the Stratford District High School to hold a field day at the rifle | range at an early Gate. The Royal C ommission appointed to enquire into the case of Constable; Peter Maloney who was dismiss d from the service on a charge that he drew from the Ciovormnent moneys for services he alleged ho paid for, when in fact he had not paid to have them done, lias furnished its report to the Governor. The Commission finds Maloney not guilty of the charge! alleged against him (states the Press Association), though they censure him for not producing the evidence which would have established his innocence at the inquiry field by Inspector Phair. v

Remarkable wages are being earned by men in the shipyards of the Clyde. One employer told me, writes a cor respondent, that thousands of men in the firm were paying income tax or, from £350 to £SOO a year. A few wen able to earn £6OO, while one man since the war started has been earning an average of not less than £ls per week. He is what* is termed a “leveller,” and has the happy knack of being able to persuade recalcitrant plates to lie smoothly and regularly. His only tool is a hammer, but bis value lies in his knowledge of where to use it. The principle on which he works seems to bo that which one adopts in trying to get an indentation out of a celluloid ball—that is, indirect pressure exerted on the surrounding surfaces. On the activity of this workman depends the rate of pro gross of many more of his comrades. According to Mr A. Colville, the Lanarkshire steel manufacturer, whose remarks are quoted by the Sunday Chronicle, head rollers in the Scottish steel works are earning £3O a week. “There is no doubt whatever that the men earning that huge salary are giving years of their lives for it. The pressure on them is terrible. They cannot go on indefinitely, and to see some of the workmen as they leave off toil is to understand what is being taken from them in return for the money handed to them.”

On tho Elthnm range on Thursday afternoon a shooting mutch between teams representing the Eltham and Inglewood Defence Rifle Clubs resulted in a win for the latter, the scores being, Inglewood 679, liltham 616.

The civil case, M. C. Aagard v. W. Hannah, at the Stratford Magistrate’s Court yesterday, was a claim ft r goods sold. Mr Percy Thompson appeared for plaintiff, and Mr A. H. John-done for defendant. Judgment n-is given for plaintiff by Mr Haselcb'ii. S.M.. for £2 9s. 1 \

As a result of the bazaar at Whangamomona, the Patriotic bunds have benefitted to the extent of over £l2O. This is not tho end of the efforts ot the enthusiastic people in the district as a great Nigger Minstrel entertainment is to lie hold on Tuesday evening to further augment the amount.—Correspondent.

The Patriotic Market and Tea Rooms were conducted to-day by the members of the Ladies’ Patriotic Committee. The Mayoress (Mrs J. W. Boon) was in attendance throughout the day to collect donations towards the fund for sending the* soldiers in the trencher, from the V) ellingtpn district, with a Xmas gift parcel.

To-day the committee of the local Plunket Society ran sweets and flower stalls in aid of the Society’s funds in the shop in Broadway, lately vacated by Mr T. Smith. The members of the committee wore ably assisted by a number (Nf young ladies, who sold bouquets and button holds in the streets.

' Tlie residence of Mr Bray, of Wbangamomona Road, was destroyed by fire at midnight on Thursday. Tho building was totally destroyed, and the only furniture saved was a sewing machine. There was a small insurance. Much sympathy is felt for Mr Bray (states “The Post” correspondent), as he is' only now convalescent after a serious accident sustained when at road work.

At the weekly parade of the Stratford Senior Cadets last night, Lieutenant Gray handed over the control of 93 Company to Lieutenant Richardson and the instructional duties to Sergeant-Major Mahoney, W.O. Lieutenant Gray, in a short speech, said he hoped the cadets would Py.Y the same attention to their duties under Lieutenant Richardson as they had under him.

A special meeting of the Stratford Borough Council was held last night when there were present; His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. W. Boon), and Crs \ J. Davev, S. B. Hunter, T. Lawson, G. W. Mills, E. S Botherfnnl. A. 1). Stanley, J. H. Thompson, C B. Walsh and W. H. H. Young. Forpial resolutions with regard to the Electric Light loan were duly passed. The resolution passed authorised: ( The raising of the loan; (2) The striking of the special rate; (3 The creation of a sinking fund and the appointment of the Public Trustee as Commissioner; (4) Authorising the Mavor and Town Clerk to sign the v ., r 'iotis documents and to affix the spn i of the Corporation.

The Internal Affairs Department has received from Mr P. A. M'Hardy of Palmerston North, the promoter of the Ansae Art Union, a statement of accounts in connection therewith, and the following are the particulars: An art union license was granted to, ‘200,000 tickets at Is each, but the number sold was 376,720. The gross returns were £18,836, and of this sum £1163 was paid as commission for the sale of tickets, the other expenses beini - as follows: Advertising salaries and wages £l3O, sundries £l2O, travelling and show expense* £l3B, printing and stationery ] 9s 3d—total £3-509, leaving £10,3-b available for the Soldiers’ Hostel at Palmerston North, for which the money was raised. The Minister stated that the large expenditure incurred could not be regarded as satisfactory, and compared very unfavourably with that, of other art unions which had been licensed. For instance, no said, the raffle of a house at Bantusvirke realised £7237, and the expenditure was only £45. As the result of the expenditure on the Anzac Ait Union, he added, a limit will be placed on legal expenditure in all similai cases for the future. ' “Stingaree,” the feature film to be screened with the new programme at His Majesty’s Theatre to night is said to lie one of the most sensational 0 f the series. The notorious. Australian - bushman. “Stingaree,” in this episode, waylays a bishop, and taking his clothes, proceeds to evangelise Mulperra, the toughest town in Australia. A new Triangle Keystone, entitled “Cinders,” is also a feature of the programme. The War Oazetto is up to the usual standard, with news from the seat of war, and a couple of dramas and a scenic complete an excellent programme, which is to be shown to-night only. Specially-ar-ranged music will be played by the orchestra for this Australian film.

Two men will leave Stratford for Camp ou Monday, reducing the district’s shortage in the 21st Reinforcements. At the Midhirst Town Hall on Wednesday next a pfyin and fancy dress ball will be held when prizes will bo given for the best fancy dress, A New Plymouth Press Association telegram states that—William Earp, retired farmer, aged 59, formlv of Midhirst, committed suicide this morning.

At the sitting of the Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon before Mr W. R. Haselden, S.M. George Keightley, George Creswell, and. Charles Gray were fined 5s and costs 7s for driving without lights. Donald Morison was also fined and costs 7s for riding a bicycle without a light.

At the Wellington Supremo Court this morning William Tosswill, solicitor, Pahiautna, pleaded guilty to three charges of theft of trust moneys, and was sentenced to two years’ imprisbnment with hard < labor. John Alfred Shipley, for the theft of petrol from Fitzgerald’s garage was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment. —Press Association.;