LOCAL GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 14, 11 December 1916, Page 4

LOCAL GENERAL.

I Tho Stratford School Connniitoo is makuig arrangements lor a School Cor. . .I to !)o hold in tho Town Hall on Wednesday evening, 20th insv. ITiis annual event will no doubt be looked forward to eagerly by those who have swelled the audience-; m pro\ ions yonr q . Tho full progianiino u ill bo published shortly.

The Plunkot Society have (alien a room in the Municipal buildings, and the Nurse may be consulted there free of charge every Wednesday from 3 p.m., instead of at the Fo; asters’ Hall, as formerly. Weather forecast. -The indhvnimi; are for westerly moderate in winds prevailing. Expect warm fuel humid conditions. ’A <at her cloudy to overcast at times, with indications, for electrical disturbances. Barometer unsteady.—Bates Wellington. The offices of the .Magistrate’s Cqurt will be closed for the Christmas vacation on the 23rd hist., re-opening for business on the 4tn January, 1917. 'Pile first civil sitting of the Court for the New Year will be held on the 19th January.

In conversation with Mr H. J. H. Obey, ALP., in Wellington on Friday evening, the Hon. 1). W. S. MacDonald, Minister for Agriculture, stated that nine ships would bo leaving New Zealand this month, and each of these would take a certain amount of dairy produce and meat. At present, said Mr MacDonald, there were four ships in sight for January, and he hoped this number would be increased.

A constable bound on a summonsserving expedition last week (says a Christchurch paper), had a rather unenviable experience. One of his blue papers was of a summons against a young man for failing to attend drill. When ho inquired at the address given, he discovered that the young

man was killed in action twelve months ago.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington to-day states: Judgment was given to-day by Air McCarthy, S.M., in the case brought to test the validity of the City by-law prohibiting the playing of golf on the Town Belt on Sundays. The Magistrate held that the by-law was bad for its unreasonableness, on the ground that it was an unnecessary interference with the right of private judgment.

“Sizing up the various Australasian contingents which pass through Perth on their way to the front,” says a Bulletin correspondent, “it is easy to pick out the* Maorilanders without looking at their uniforms. Massey’s warriors are a type quite distinct from Australians, resembling the stolid and solid well-fed Englishman. The Maorilander, moreover, is not so addicted to beer and blanky as his Aus-, tralian cousin. He has struck Perth as a remarkably well-behaved foreign tourist who prefers to examine the city’s pub architecture from the outside. Bill of the Commonwealth shows more quick intelligence; and I’m not surprised to get from a returning woum led M aoriland officer this dictum: ‘For an attack with bayonet and bomb I’d take the Australian before anybody else in 4 me world. For a patient defence I’d take either our own men or the maim'd Tommy.’ ” At the last sitting of the Magistrate's Court at Opunake, E. B. Stohr (Mr E. Marshall) claimed from Egmont \ County Council (Mr Bennett) the sum of £2O 7s for motor car hires. The car had been engaged on various occasions by the late county engineer, C. A’C. Opie, whose evidence was taken in Havelock, Alarlborough. He stated that the trips were all on County Council business. Evidence was also given by E. B. Stohr, who was examined at some length by Mr Bennett. Mr Bennett raised a nonsuit point, and pointed out that section 144 of the Counties Act states that no authority is legal unless made by resolution of the Council, or unless made in writing by two members of the Council. His Worship decided that, although the claim appeared to be a bona fida one, the nonsuit point must be upheld and the case dismissed. Costs amounting to £4 (is were allowed to defendants.

Mr A. 13. Gibson, iiou. secretary of the sub-centre of the British Red Cross at New Plymouth, has received a telegram from the Headquarters, Wellington, as follows: —“1 rgent— Gibson, Red Cross, New Plymouth— Governor absent Christchurch, communicating, patronage assured— Bridge.” It can reasonably be concluded from the above that His Excellency the Governor will be in New Plymouth on Thursday next at the opening of “Aotea” in aid of an appeal from the Wellington Centre cf the Red Cross movement for two extra motor ambulances for use at the front. The New Plymouth subcentre has guaranteed £250 towards the request and the patronage of the public is needed. No doubt theie will be a large number of Stratford residents present. Ample accommodation lias- been provided for vehicles and refreshments will be provided at a cost of Gd each. Admission is, children half-price.

'Phe tickers lor the Picture-Concert in His .Majesty's Theatre on 1? riday night an 1 reported to be selling like hot cakes—that is to say, few refusals have been met with by the children in their enthusiasm to ensure success by disposing of same. Indeed, for such a worthy object, it is not to he anticipated that many people will refuse to part with the handy shilling even if they have no intention of attending to witness the perlormauce. Pictures, children’s action songs and drill, and adult items will combine to make a memorable school concert, further particulars of which will he ouhlished P'lore I'riday.

a The Hospital Board meet to-mor-d row, at 10.30 a.m. 0 n The Methodist Sunday School Anniversary Services wore held yesterday, , the splendid weather being a factor in contributing to the excellent attendances throughout the day. A r . jvvi.d feature was the singing of the ’* children, assisted by a well-balanced > choir under the able conductorship of h Mr C. H. Lawn. An item by four " girls, Keith Martin, Rita Keira, Mavis Beauchamp, aiid Bell Masters, ! and a recitation “Roll-call” hv Eileen s * Foster, were exceptionally good. At ‘ | the evening service, the prizes won by '’j the children during the year were '..presented, and the Rev. Air Tinsley 1 spoke to the young people in Ins own homely and much appreciated manner. Tl ie anniversary will be further celebrated on Tuesday evening, / when there will bp a scholars’ tea and - an entertainment in the Church.