LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 58, 5 October 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A meeting of the Stratford Card Club will be held in Smith’s rooms, Broadway, at 7.30 on Friday evening.

A number of lately-enlisted volunteers from Stratford, who have already been passed as medically lit locally, were called upon to proceed to New Plymouth for further examination today, and those left this morning lor that centre. .

The Stratford County Council road roller was in difficulties yesterday afternoon at the junction of the Hastings and Opunake roads, having suffered a subsidence during rolhug operations, ■ necessitating the services of the crusher engine to drag it back to terra firma.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company has always treated the various patriotic funds as well as other charitable objects

very liberally ever since the start of the war. The latest instance is the decision of the directorate to donate £IOO to the “Self Denial” Fund of the Salvation Army. The share of the local branch, states the manager, Mr W. A. Hewitt, is £4.

At the adjourned inquest in Christchurch into the death of John Finlay, marine engineer, who died on Friday night, after a quarrel in a hotel bar, the evidence showed that there had been “shouting” in tire hotel in which the incident happened. Mr H. W. Bishop, the coroner, remarked to the police: “Of course, you will take notice of the scandalous proceedings in this licensed house in connection with ‘treating.’ ” The seniorsergeant: “The police have that in hand.” “To my mind,” said Mr Bishop, “a person who deliberately breaks the law in this manner by permitting ‘shouting’ deserves the severest condemnation. A person who condones the offence, too, is just as bad. The State made this law for a set purpose, and those who transgress it at this time of tension should be punished severely.”

“Suppose aid does not come in faster, and, the BelghVn population, now' on the edge of starvation, tips over the edge and actually does starve; that one in three, or so, especially of the children, either dies or becomes permanently enfeebled through privation—what will the world say of us, and what shall we say of ourselves?” writes the author, John Galsworthy, on behalf of Belgian relief funds. “Suppose, when peace comes and Belgium can * pick up her broken life, she finds herself In that shocking state, because the richest country in the world, the country which most benefited by her sacrifice, could not find her a matter of three million pounds a year for two or three years, simply to keep her alive—could not find her two days’ cost of a war which as being waged, as we say, to restore little Belgium—what a ghastly laugh will go up at the expense of Great Britain!”

Speaking of the Somme offensive the Sydney Sun's London correspondent says:—lt has not been all success , and our casualties have been enormous. Already the total comes near to the 200,000 mark, lint tins is the price of a Continental army. Ami

has not France had already there than one million men killed in this war, and Germany still more ? Our failures on the Somme were • north of the Ancre. Here we dashed omselves; in vain heroism against impregnable positions, hardly damaged by our shell fire. Some work, it if admitted, was not well done hero. And the returned generals include some well-known names. Once again the glorious 20th Division, which landed with such gallantry at Cape Hellos, and was three times cut to pieces on Gallipoli, suffered most severe casualties, and its general. Hunter Weston, has been brought home. Two other generals are back. But such things are expected, and look of little moment when placed alongside the great and gallant work on the Somme.

“Life’ ’for October comes out just in time to celebrate the most important events that have occurred in the AVai for the last eighteen months.. This decisive turn in the tide of affairs gives Dr. Fitchett an opportunity for a masterly review of the situation, and a clear, picturesque description of the manner in which the Allies have laid, and are pushing, their strategy.

There was a good attendance at the lecture by the Rev. R. B. Gosnell on “The Romance of the Fijian isles” in the Methodist Schoolroom last night. The speaker proved himself an interesting and capable lecturer, and held his audience closely throughout.

The Stratford Ladies’ Patriotic Committee is making a very special effort on Saturday which is to bo “Belgian Day”. All the receipts from the Patriotic Tea Rooms and Mart, and also from an additional Flower Shop (the premises lately occupied by Mr T. W. Smith, which have been kindly lent by Messrs Hannah and Co., the owners) specially for the sale of flowers. The secretary of the Ladies’ Committee appeals for liberal donations for the Marc and also for the Flower Shop, and for the convenience of those who care to send in their gifts early, ladies will lie in attendance on Friday at the Patriotic Rooms in Broadway to receive gifts. Of course offerings will he n rived on Saturday as usual.

The Stratford Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Spring Show is to he" held on Wednesday and Thursday, the 29th and 30th November, and as usual the whole countryside will be looking forward to this very popular fixture. The President (Mr E. Jackson), the Secretary (Mr A. D. Stanley) and the members of the Committee are relaxing no effort to ensure another stop on the road of progress being made this year by the Association. A carefully revised and very attractive schedule of classes has been prepared and printed, and is now in the hands of the Secretary for distribution. Anyone desiring a copy should communicate with Mr Stanley at once. Entries for all classes will close on Thursday, November 23rd, and intending exhibitors would do well to note that the work would he much facilitated if they send in their entries early.

A recent case of so-called “lambing down” in the Stratford district qreated much adverse criticism that such things could occur in these days, and the fact that about £IOO was alleged tq have been spent in intoxicating liquor in a little over a wee* shocked the moralists. However, an Auckland case, although not in its gamut embracing so much good coin, in other respects must be conceded the palm for fast going. The Star says:—The ideas of some people on the matter of a holiday are peculiar. On Saturday a man in a country district near Auckland rose early and walked twelve miles to the railway to catch a train for the city in order to vary the simple life by a weekend in town., He had £2O in his pocket for the purpose. At 3 a.m. on Sunday he was found drunk in Hobson Street, with, 3s 5d left in his pockets. Having been prohibited at the Police- Court this (Monday) morning, he started back again for the bush and plain living.

German prisoners, bouyed up by the airy imagination of the Wolff Bureau, are sadly disillusioned, it seems, when they find that London still stands where it did. “A short time ago (says the London corresdcnt of the Birmingham “Daily Post”) a wounded German officer arrived at Charing Cross, manifestly cheered by the prospect of seeing London largely in ruins. His first disillusion was at the terminus itseu, which he had been told was a shapeless mass; and, as he passed through Trafalgar square and towards the West End, and his English guard, ; n answer to repeated questionings, pointed to building after building winch the unveracious Wolff had deto he destroyed, his gloom

■ rev, deeper, and he seemed a stricken man. If a man of his education and position could have been so grievously deceived, what of the masses in Central Germany, whose powers of belief in official intelligence are an important psychological factor in the war?”

At St. Andrew’s (Presbyterian'' Kail last evening, a very successful concert was presided over by the llc\. .!, Dawson C. Madill. The Misses Evans and White opened with a pianoforte duet creditably executed, ami Mr P. Aitken’s strong voice was next heard in “The Skipper,” responding to a recall with Lucky ,]jni,” and Mrs Jardine pleasingly sang “The Song of Happy Birds.” Miss M. Hopkins’ execution of a difficult piece for a violin was to her credit in “Canzonetta,” and olaying as an encore a “Serenade by Widoi. The song, “The Warrior Bold” by Mi P. Thomson was good. Miss Sangster’s Irish song “Kathleen Mavourneen” easily gained her an encore (“She is far from the Laud. ) Mr H. LI. Betts lias a powerful voice, and sang “The Little Drummer of Gravelotte.” Mrs Madill played a pianoforte sole and was recalled. A comic reading bv Mr Alan Betts created much laughter, and be was recalled. Mr P. Aitkcn sang again, and Miss R owe, whose elocutionary ability is of high standard, earned a recall for “The Sisters,” the encore number being “Applied Astronomy.” As another violin solo, Miss M. Hopkins played “Le Cygne.” The last item, “The Blacksmith.” was sung by Mill. LI. Betts, after which all joined in the National Anthem. The Chairman ai i ounced that about £3O had been nosed by the choir towards the Choir Vestry Fund. Supper was provided foi all. The Anzac Minstrels at the request of Ngaero residents will give a performance in the Ngaere Hall on Thursday (to-night) in aid of Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. The object is such a worthy one and the performance given by the Minstrels is full of merit, that a crowded house should bo the result. x

The Appeal Court made the order > absolute for striking Charles Edward Harden, of Auckland, off the rolls of barristers and .solicitors.—Press Association.

Weather Forecast.—The indications aro for south-easterly moderate to ' strong winds freshening. The weather appears likely to be cloudy and unsettled, with rain following. Iho barometer has a falling tendency. Bates, Wellington.

A Christchurch Press Association message states that Albert Milne aged about 20, employed * A. B. Smith, coalman, was leading a horse to the paddock last evening while riding a bicycle. The animal got out of control, dragged him some distance, and galloped round a corner smashing his head on a culvert.

In order to resuscitate the interest in the Stratford Scottish Society a social and dance will be held on Monday evening next in the Foresters Hall, when a largo number of Scottish and other friends are expected. Scottish songs and dances will form a special feature of the gathering an the proceeds are for the Stratford Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. A dance is to follow.

Soldiers on sick leave requiring medical assistance must apply to the nearest Defence Office, who will he advised of the nearest medical officer to consult. In the event of urgent medical attendance being required the soldier may call on the neaiest available doctor, but in such a case he must notify the. nearest Defence Office within twelve hours, otherwise -|he Department will not accept any liability.

The monthly meeting of the Ngpero W.C.T.U. was held at Mrs Morison » on Tuesday. Votes of sympathy to several members and friends who have lately suffered bereavement were passed, those present standing m silence. It was resolved to again present prizes to pupils of Ngaero schoo for best temperance essays. Ways and means of helping in Red Cross work were discussed. An excellent article on “Social Purity,” read by Jivs K. Tarrant, brought the meeting < to a close.

The following cases are down for hearing at the Magistrate’s Court to-morrow: Twenty-two civil cases (two defended) and one judgment summons. The criminal cases include three for failing to attend drill, one for filing short-weight bread, three for riding bicycles without a light, one for riding bicycle on footpath, one for driving horse and gig without a light, one for driving a motor-car over a crossing while train approaching, one for excessive drinking, and one for theft by a juvenile.

A Press .Association telegram from

Wanganui states: Mr Pearce, member for Patca, wired the Hon. Mr Allen as follows: “No doubt you have noted the disgraceful grab by the shipping monopoly of a penny per pound on wool, meaning one million to the sheep-farmers jn New Zealand. I would urge upon the Government the buying or chartering of ships to break down the monopoly, as wool can easily be held in New Zealand for some time.”