LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 20, 18 December 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

As evidencing the fine patriotic spirit displayed by natives in the war, Kaiugha’s gang, comprising a number of natives working in the Wallingford district, decided that no tionus should be accepted for sheep shorn whose owners aye serving the Empire. Captain A. S. Wilder’s sheep were consequently put through at the rate of 20s per 100.

The Christchurch Press editorially describes as extraordinary the opinion of the honorary medical staff of the Dunedin Hospital that it is not desirable that public lectures should bo given on the subject of cancer. The only reason with any tinge of plausibility about such a decision is (our contemporary' say’s) that if public lectures on cancer are delivered a certain number of people who are not suffering from the disease may be given unnecessary 7 alarm. It argues, however, that the time has gone by for the leading facts of public health to be treated as a mystery and kept scaled from the eyes of the layman, ana expresses its pleasure that the nmuical men of Christchurch have »akon a far more enlighten d view of lieu duty to the public, and have co-operated

most cordially in the educational campaign inaugurated by the local Board of Health.

The Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister for Public Health) inaugurated a “save-the babies” campaign during his trip to the north, from which he returned to 'Wellington on Friday morning. The Minister addressed a largo meeting at Auckland on Sunday night and another at Hamilton on Tuesday, urging the need lor a special effort at the present time to save every child life in the Dominion, and to see that the children were born under the best possible conditions. Mr Russell suggested that a Dominionwide campaign shall be held during the week ending February 24th to raise a “Save the Babies Fund," and he proposes to ijsk the Bishops and other leaders of the churches in New Zealand to arrange tor the preaching of appropriate sermons on tiio Sunday commencing the week of the appeal. The Women’s National Reserve and kindred organisations, also the Commercial Travellers’ Associations, who have done such good work in raisiug money for patriotic purposes, are to be asked to co-operate in the work; and the Minister hopes that a very largo fund may be established to help to reduce the infantile mortality rate and assist the mothers.

The German clubs, cafes, and re- , staurants in New York were recently bewailing the fact that no more German newspapers and magazines were arriving in the country. Not since February had any newspaper arrived from Germany. Consequently some of the clubs have ransacked old shelves and for newspapers of years back for the delectation of ' those who wanted German reading. “This famine in German literature,” said a well-known German-American to a “Now York Herald” reporter, “is due to the iron wall which Great Britain has built around Germany. Fp to the beginning of this year a German newspaper or periodical occasionally got through, but since February not a single paper lias been received. To those who have been accustomed to read German newspapers, magazines, and humorous periodicals in their clubs and cafes, this is quite a hardship, for through these papers we were able to learn much of the doings in the Fatherland, and this is now denied us. We get o' nothing from Germany now except what comes by the wireless, and that is little enough. When the war isj. over and communication is again es-j tablished. the. Germans here will he! kept, busy reading nil the back ■•epic-, of their favourite periodieah.” . J Gifts for men—the right kind o; gifts—are a pnzzie to most people.J But the way is made easy by the Kgmout Clothing Company and bow ; this is done will best be discoveredi by paying a visit to this up-to-date j store. X 1

The Stratford Borough Offices, will be closed for the Christmas Holidays \ from noon on Saturday, December ‘23rd, to Wednesday, January 3rd, 1017, inclusive. The management of His Majesty’s Theatre have been granted permission from i he Borough Council to screen pic. u: os on Xmas, night, and will present a super-star film entitled “Cabiria,” which is said to quite outrival Quo VadisP”

Several complaints reach us from men who have offered their services voluntarily and have been rejected and yet appear without a “star” in the latest list of those drawn by ballot for military service, Vi e believe the Depai t* ment is taking every possible precaution but despite this have not yet reached a perfect system af checking the names to prevent snc.i happenings.

There is sure to be a big gathering in the Stratford Town Hall to-night, when Mr J. T. M. Hornsby, M. 1., will deliver his stirring patriotic address on “The War —and After.” To those who know and have heard Mr Hornsby no reminder is needed: to those who have not heard this very forcible and convincing speaker, the opportunity is one not to be missed. The Hall ought to he packed before the opening hour, there is no chaigo for admission.

The Stratford School Concert, to be held on Wednesday evening next, is the great attraction for young and hid in town this week. . The School has just completed another most successful year of work, ; nd notwithstanding the, handicap which changes brought about by the War and from other causes, has imposed on the Headmaster. Mr F .Tyrer, and his able staff of assistants, many honours are assured to the pupils of this very notable institution. The Concert, which is an annual function at which both parents and children delight to assemble, ought to be a big success. The full programme appears elsewhere in this issue, and all interested in the school should not fail to remember the date.

Just the right kind of summer washing suit for boys of any age to 1)0 found in great variety at the Egmont Clothing Coy’s store. The styles are the very newest and quite different to those of past seasons, every suit is a decided novelty. The Trentham in khaki is very popular, also the Jersey in poplin, tussore and white silk, other favourites are the Milford and Clifford in white garbicord. Washing hats to match all suits. Odd varsity tops and sport coats in tussore silk and navy drill. X

It will interest readers to know that the old established firm of H. Collier and Co (established 1875), ol Wanganui and New Plymouth, are opening up an agency of their business in Stratford. The show rooms Hie firm have been fortunate in will be in the Municipal Buildings, and being able to secure the services of Mi Chas. H. Fox, to act as their representative. Messrs Collier and Co. are sole agents for Taranaki for the famous Brinsmead and Chappelle pianos, which are undoubtedly 'the finest British pianos made. Pianos by Eavestaff, Barratt and Robinson, Stephens, and Deaner and Co., .will also be on view. Colliers’ have always been noted for selling only pianos of good name; pianos of sound construction and lasting tone, and anyone intending purchasing, should make a point of viewing these famous instruments before deciding elsewhere. Messrs Collier and Co.’s instalment plan of over 1. 2, or 3 years, makes paying for a piano a very easy matter. Mr Fox has arranged to have all the latest song and piano successes always in stock. x