LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 75, 26 October 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The first Spring lamb of the season locally grown was killed at the Stratford abattoirs this morning, and weighed about 401bs.

The gang of Maoris who assist to load the Home boats in Waitara do. very well financially by the work the Mail). Fifteen of them drew about £l2 each "on Wednesday morning. ;

The Education Board at the monthly meeting yesterday granted the application from Stratfo-'cl A. and P. Association for a holiday to bo given the children attending the schools in the. Stratford district on November 30 (People's Day) at the Show.

The old convict ship Success, which has been on exhibition all over the world during the last twenty years or more, is at present at San Francisco undergoing some repairs preparatory to making a visit to various ports along the American coast, en route to New Orleans and Mississippi.

In explanation of a- point that has been raised among members of the .Reserve under the Military Service Act, we (Otago Daily Times) have to say that tlie names of married men in the Second Division \\ ill be placed in the ballot irrespective of the number of members of their families.

"What is the difference in the value of a cow that gives 1501 bof butter fat in a season to one that gives 3501bs\?" was a question raised at a. gathering at Hamua last week. It was stated (says the Patea Press) that the difference would be found on being worked out to be over £l5O.

It is with regret that we flflltham Argus) learn that the Elthain Band will soon be "non est," The pall to arms has proved a hard blow to the local band, inasmuch that they are now reduced to seven members. A temporary disbandment has been decided upon, and in the meantime two trustees will be appointed to take charge of the band's accoutremerts. Although at "low water mark," the funds in hand are sufficient to meet alt present engagements. ,-0 YOMAI.

Last evening some mild, excitement occurred in Broadway, and'.'the souiid of breaking glass soon drew' a crowd. It appears some disagreement arose over the conduct of the business, resulting in a hand-to-hand scuffle between two men, and the ejectment of one, followed by the breaking of the glass in the door. The particulars of the dispute are alleged to be decidedly "fishy" in nature. However, no serious harm appears to have been done.

An unusual point was decided by the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) in the Blenheim case, R. W. Young v. B. S. Monro (reports the Press Association). Young brought a claim for -€IOOO damages for assault. Two days before the date fixed for the hearing Monro paid £175 into court, with a denial of liability: Oil the* day of the hearing Monroe committed suicide. Seven days later Young's counsel notified that he would accept the £175 in settlement of the case.' 'The court had now to decide whether themoney should be paid to plaintiff or to defendant's widow. The judge held that defendant's death abated the action, and that the money must be ,paid to the widow.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, November 28th and 29th, Mrs Mc : Beth is staging in the Town Hall, the pantomime, "Beauty and the Beast," the financial proceeds to be devoted to the Stratford Fire Brigade and the Boy Scouts. From present indications, the entertainment promises to be good in every respect. There will he new songs and dances, accompanied by a first-class orchestra, while the scenic part of the performance will be greatly added to by new dresses, new scenery, and bright electrical effects. At popular prices, the pantomime ought to provide a large sum for the funds of the worthy causes for which it has been promoted.

On Saturday the Hon. Mr Allen (Minister of Defence) was asked by a member of the Otago Daily Times staff what steps the, Government intended to take to fill up the shortage of over 900 men in the 22nd Reinforcements. Tbe Minister replied: "The men will be obtained under section 35 (family shirkers clause), or under compulsion. As to the latter course, however, the rolls are not yet ready, and we cannot prepare them at a moment's notice. A great amount of labour is involved, and as tha work must be accurate and exact, ii calls for close attention and very careful scrutiny. The roll for the Dominion has to be split up. Every man has to be domiciled in Ills own group, and has to stand by the position which he is <;ivon on the roll. ft is bis home, and it is his home for all time, as far as the Act is concerned, until he gets leave to change." The Minister added that the work was proas fast as anyone could reasohlv expect.

Before Mr J. W. Boon, J.P., at the Magistrate's Court this morning, a woman (a first offender) was charged with insobriety and fined £l.

The Mayoress (Mi's J. W". Boon) acknowledges the following donations to the Red Cross Fund:—Mr W. R. Rogers, Waipuku, £1; Mrs Meuli, ss; A Friend, 5s : Mrs Grubb ss.

Weather Forecast.—The indications are for southerly moderate to strong winds veering by west to north. Weather cloudy to overcast at times. The barometer has a rising tendency, but will fall again after about 20 hours.

Adjutant Cook, of the Salvation Army, acknowledges receipt of the sum of €lO Us from the Cardiff Dairy Company for use in the Army operations among the New Zealand Forces.

A meeting of the local branch of the Farmers' Union will be held in the A. and P. Offices, Stratford, at 1.30 on Saturday. As the business is important, and concerns the export tax on butter, a full attendance of members is requested.

Xgaere was well represented yesterday, when two -Pgibles for the ".Matrimonial Reinforcements" were united in that blissful company by Registrar Reeve at the local office, Broadway South. The affair was a quiet one, and the 'first one performed by the Pegistrar cine iv's official appointment in Stratford.

Mr G. X. Cart s desires to acknowledge on behalf of the Belgian Relief Fund, gifts of clothing from settlers of the Stratford district, and especially, gifts of new clothing from the. ladies of the country districts. These gifts have been packed in two large cases, and are being despatched to Wellington, carriage free, direct to the Belgians in Belgium.

A Commonwealth record in wool prices was broken at the Sydney sales at the beginning of the month, when the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company secured the great price of 26|d per lb for greasy merino, being the super combing of the Maryvale clip from Barraba, grown by Messrs Sawers and Wilson.

Remarkable directions regarding his •funeral were left by Major Henry Ernest Baskerville Walton, late of the "ith Dragoon Guards, of Sussex Square Brighton. He ordered that—Xo gloves, hatbands, scarves and cloaks or "other disgusting paraphernalia of the undertaker" were to be worn at his funeral, and the horses used were to he brown, bay, grey or chestnut, and "not the usual undertakers' slabsided Belgian horses behind which no gentleman would care to be seen dead or alive," Major Walton, who left estate of the value of £102,225, bequests to servants and haviec. '