LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 87, 9 November 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Stratford Domain Board meet to-morrow afternoon at I o’clock.

The X. Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. Ltd., wish to draw the attention of clients to their To Wera sale which they are holding in their Te Wera yards to-morrow (Friday) at 1 p.rn. Full particulars will be found on page 8 of this issue.

Farmers and supporters of the Farmer’s Co-operative Organisation Society Ltd. are reminded of the meeting at the Forester’s Hall on Saturday next at 2 p.m., when a delegate from the board of directors will be present.

Among the recruits leaving by the mail train this morning for New Plymouth to undergo medical examination were Messrs A. G. Bennett, A. C. Court, and R. Hassall. It is not too late yet for more volunteers to come forward, and it is hoped this brief intimation will rouse the slumbering consciences of some fellows towards the call to dutv.

The following is the result of the weight-guessing competition at the Manawatu A. and P. Association’s Show. The exact weight of the fat cow was 9321b5. Mr M. Funnel!, Ashhurst; guessed the exact weight. The second and third prizes are divided between Messrs G. R. iflcKenzie, Carnarvon, with 931 Jibs, F. S. McRae, Palmerston North, with 932Jlbs, and F. 0. Andrews, Christchurch, with 932 Jibs.

The census of the population of Wanganui County (excluding the borough) taken on October 15 last, shows that there are 1870 males and Sr 1527 females, a total population or 3397. The estimated population of the county on April 1, 1914, was 4157, and on April 1, 1915, 4130, figures which reveal a considerable decrease. The falling-off was quite expected, as against the normal increase of the past couple of years there has, on the other hand; been the continuous, demand for men to join the Expeditionary Forces.

Two men who hesitated before an hotel in Auckland on Saturday night, parleyed a moment, and then proceeded inside the door of the publichouse, received an unpleasant shock at being held up by a police officer, and informd that they were considered to hav transgressed the war regulations that barred the ancient and one-time honourable custom of “shouting.” Explanations revealed that the officer had been within earshot when the men discussed their intentions outside the door, and the civilians departed without the satisfaction of a drink, but w ; th the knowledge that they would have 1o explain the embarrassing position later to a Magistrate.

Mr Fred Foley, the ever enterprising provider© of good things for the patrons of His Majesty’s Theatre at Stratford is a wonderful man for turning up at the right moment with his camera, and as he is a skilful photographer, he often gets some remarkable pictures. Happening to be in Christchurch, strictly on business, and happening (by the merest chance, of course) to hear the clang of the fire alarm, Mr Foley was quickly on the scene of the burning grandstand at Addington Trotting Comse, and was able to telegraph the “Stratford Post” last night:—“Secured magnificent pictures of fire at its height. Getting all the race pictures, incidenally catching ’em.” Something special may therefore be expected on Mr Foley’s return.

Invalided soldiers who have recently reached New Zealand are wearing bn their shoulders, beneath the brass chevrons, a strip of red ribbon. Some rather extraordinary interpretations have been placed upon this ribbon by people who are not acquainted with the facts, and a certain amount of annoyance has been caused to the soldiers in consequence. The red ribbon means simply (states the Auckland Star ) that the man has been declared permanently unfit in the military sense, but has not yet received his discharge. It is a badge of honourable service, which has long been familiar in the United Kingdom. A blue ribbon under the chevrons is stated to mean that the man is temporarily unfit in consequence of wounds or sickness, but since only the men considered to bo incapable of further services in the present war are returned to New Zealand the blue ribbon has not made its appearance here.

The Farmers’ Co-operative Organisation Society will hold their opening sale in their newly acquired yards (lately Webster, Dobson and Coy) on Tuesday next, when they will dispose of a large quantity of stock on behalf of clients. Some very line lines will be submitted, and the Society’s initial sale will undoubtedly attract a large number of buyers from Stratford and the surrounding district. Full particulars of the stock lots to be offered will be found in our advertising columns on page 8.

The Taranaki War Relief Association hold tlieir next meeting on Monday in the Municipal Buildings, commencing at 10 a.in.

The X r . Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. Ltd., wish to intimate to clients that their Kohuratahi sale, which was to have ioen held to-day, has been postponed on account of the state of the roads, and will be held on Monday, 13th November, 1916.

Weather Forecast.—The indications are for westerly winds strong to gale and backing by west to south. The weather will probably prove squally, with heavy showers, and become colder. Barometer rising.—Bates, Wellington.

Last month Miss Marie Corelli appealed to the Warwickshire Tribunal for a further exemption of her gardener, aged 40. The military representative opposed the appeal, saying ’it did not matter if the garden went to seed ■ nobody cared. The chairman said the work might very well be done by women gardeners. The appeal was dismissed.

While a Chinaman was engaged at the Manawatu river, Palmerston North, on Saturday morning, cutting a road down the bank to bring up the motor car concerned in Friday night’s fatality, the bank where he was standing suddenly gave way. As John disappeared ever the edge of the cliff the spectators above heard a yell, followed by the cry “Whaffor!” Presently John’s head came over the bank and to show he was uninjured, he remarked philosophically, M alleo same before; no hurtee!”