LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 7, 2 December 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The boy Cecil Burgess, the victim of a motor-car accident on Wednesday, is, according to the latest report, still progress!ng favourably.

At tl.lo -Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Frederick London, Bridge Contactor, Waitara, brought an action against the New Zealand Home Builders for a claim of £l3 12s 3d in respect of a mortice machine supplied to the defendant company. Mr A. H. Johnstone represented plaintiff, and Mr J. B. L. Stanford appearing the the defendant Company. After hearing the evidence, judgment was given for £l3 12s 3d, and £1 costs.

hi many of the roads on the outskirts of London neat little pieces of white painted wood have been fashioned with wire to all the lamp posts about six feet from the ground. Their purpose mystifies everyone until they are seen by night, and then they give out a brilliant white glow, which is visible quite 25 yards away, and the darker the night the more clearly does the glow stand out. They are painted with phosphorescent paint, and are so satisfactory that it seems unnecessary ever to light the lamps again.

The Hawera Male Quartette should draw a big crowd to the Town Hall on Wednesday on the occasion of the patriotic concert in aid of the funds of tile Wounded Soldiers. The cantata “The Desert,” is such as must appeal to all with a soul for music, and the concert programme, in addition, will satisfy the ordinary theatre-goer. Arrangements have been made'to reserve the circle, so that those Vho have already purchased tickets may be as-, sured of seats on applying to Grubb’s music warehouse and presenting same.

“The Merry Musical Maoris,” from Waitara, who are giving one of their concerts in Stratford on Thursday next, are well worth listening to. The Maoris have good voices, and are passionately fond of music, and whatever they do in this line is always weli done. Whether it is a song in their own or the European language the melody is always sweet. They are very keen on patriotic songs, and -4ter into the spirit of the wording to the fulest extent. There are some twenty members taking part, and each one is a. soloist worth hearing. It is anticipated there will be a big house on Thursday.

The rainfall at “Riversdale,” Inglewood, as observed by Miss N. Trimble, for the month of November, amounted to 21.‘22 inches—yet there were thirteen dry days thrown in. The extraordinary nature of the rain is shown in the fact that on three days alone, over fourteen inches were recorded. The heaviest day’s total was on Monday last, when -5.09 inches fell; the eighth ranked second for pure water (4.95 in. of it); and the seventh was not far behind with 4.10iu. .Three more days saw over an inch tall, viz., on the 13th, 1.38 in.; fourteenth, 1.1 tin.; and on the eighteenth, 1.02 in. Other registrations were: On the 3rd, .1(5; 4th, .66; sth, .15; 6th, .49; 10th, .04; 12th, .04; 15th, .69; 16th, .01; 24th, .43; 25th, .86; 26th, 0.01.

The Funiwhakau mailman dropped dead on Thursday afternoon at the Funiwhakau Post Office. *An inquest was held yesterday on the body, that of William Hugh Chambers, aged 53, employed by Mr Ok A. Copeland, Storekeeper, Douglas. Evidence ol identification was given by his employer, Mr Copeland, who stated that deceased was a native or the North of .Ireland, but was not aware that he had anv relations in New Zealand. Heihert Jensen (lodge, labourer, Funiwhakau, said he saw deceased at Funiwhakau Post Office on the floor on Thursday afternoon apparently fainting. Witness bathed Ins head with water. There was a noise in his throat, and witness, on feeling his heart, found it had stopped beating. Constable Alex Robertson, giving evidence, said that he held a First-class St. John’s Ambulance Certificate, and on examining deceased, was of opinion deceased died from heart failure. After hearing the evidence, the Magistrate returned a verdict of death from natural causes—heart failure.

Privates Lyford and Sheriff, who have been on final leave, returned to camp by this morning’s mail train.

During the month of November, the number of births registered in the Stratford district was 15, and there were 4 deaths, and no marriages.

The mail for the United Kingdom, Europe, Central and South America, U.S.A., Canada (via San Francisco) closes at the Stratford Post Office on Wednesday. December 6th, at 8.10

At tlie Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, au application was made for a prohibition order against a local resident. After hearing the evidence, the Magistrate (Mr Haselden) gave the defendant a warning, and the. application was refused.

The rainfall statistics in Stratford for November are as follows: —2nd, .25; 4th. .46; sth, .01; 6th, .65; 7th, 3.27; Bth, 3.90; 12th, .24; 13th, 1.51; 14th. 0.9; 15th, .51; 16th, .12; 18th, .89; 24th, ,67; 25th, .95; 26th, .79; 27th, 2.88. Total for the month 17.19 inches. Rain fell on Hi days, the maximum fall being on the Bth, with 3.90 inches.

At tlie Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Mr W. R. Haselden. S.M.. Mr F. A. Cramer was charged wi h selling bread underweight. Mr T, C. Fookes appeared for defendant, and stated the plaintiff had been in bus.i ess for 40 years and had not previously been before the Court. Inspector Gray gave evidence that there was a shortage of loz in a 21b loaf. A fine of £2 and costs was ordered.

“Post-W ar Industrial Reconstruction” is the title of an address delivered by Mr J. A. Frostick, of Christchurch, who is regarded as one of the loading scientific industrialists in New Zealand. Hie aim of the New Zealand Board of Industries, which was promoted by Mr Frostick, is to increase the general prosperity of the Dominion, to promote the growth and development of pastoral, farming, and agricultural industries, and generally to further establish direct relations with the Government of the day, so that proper provision may be made by legislation for encouraging every form of enterprise through which national wealth can be created, and constant employment for the people assured. Copies of the address referred to may be obtained free from Mr Ronald S. Badger, 187 Manchester Street, Christchurch.

The world-wide Y.M.C.A., which has done so much for the boys at the Front, is appealing to raise £ISOO on this coast through patriotic and other societies for a grant, or by other efforts. Feilding has led the way by donating the sum of £250. The object is to continue providing comforts for the troops in France and to alleviate the many hardships they have to undergo in the trenches. Under the administration of the Y.M.C.A., the workers in the advanced depots' are in direct touch with the men at the front, and know exactly what the men most need. The money now required will provide comforts for the men with the minimum of delay as long as the war lasts. The General Secretary (Mr AV. R. Taylor) of the Wanganui Y.M.C.A., will give any further information. and will be pleased to receive donations. The work of the Institution has much to commend itself to the notice of the public as a whole.

From the Discharged Soldiers’ Information Department, Wellington, as at 29th November, 1916, the following information is forthcoming from Mr Power (secretary of the Taranaki War Relief Association) showing the disposition of Returned men as follows: Total number of men on the Register, 5995) (1) disposed of, 5156; (2) under action, 507; (3) not ready for action, 332. Particulars as to how cases have been dealt with: (1) cases disposed of, 5156—(a) men with work to return to, re-enlistments, or returned to duty, 2186; (b) men placed in employment, 1308; (c) men signed assistance not required, 1168; (d) left New Zealand or address unknown, 150; (e) men who have not responded to repeated applications, or accepted position and failed to commence work, 444. (2) Cases under action, 507—(a) reports upon cases not yet returned by officers making enquiries, 113; (b) awaiting further advice ; including men who have notified that they are not yet fit for woik, 256; (c) 'at present on employment wanted register, 138. (3) Cases not ready for action, 332. The latter group includes men recently returned, convalescing, and men not yet discharged from the forces. Of the men on the Employment Wanted Register (138), two are in the Taranaki district, inquiring positions as cliaffeur, stoiemail with clerical duties combined.

McDougall’s Sheep Dip.-At the North Otago Show, hold on 16th ami . 17th November, the following awards *•' wore obtained by “McDougall’s” dip- ' pod sheep:—Four championships out of 8; 27 firsts out of 43 ;12 seconds; G , thirds. Also special prizes donated. < of Little’s Sheep Dip and Lawes Sheep Dip. N.Z. Refrigerating Co., Ltd., 20 guinea cup to he held for one <£ year,’ also prize of 5 guineas for best £ 7, fat lambs. Canterbury Frozen Meat i| (’o., Ltd., donation ol o guineas for fat ’ stock section. Oamaru Auctionccrs’ Association’s donation of 3 gui- m neas for most points in fat lamb sec- & lion and 3 guineas for most points in fat sheep sections. X.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd.’, donation tor largest number of entries in the fat sheep and lamb sections.