LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 81, 26 May 1911, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There was an extraordinarily high fresh in the Paten River tills morning.

Eight Maoris from Pihama invaded Stratford this morning, and did a fair trade in ferns and humeras.*

The Wellington Harbour Board has installed a sat of baths for use of tlie men employed on tnc wharves. r lho now railway stock yards at Pohokura, for which Mr. R. J. Scott is the contractor, are now nearing completion. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s next steamer to load at the Waitara roadstead will be the s.s. Pap.rroa, oir or about the 10th of June.

A commencement has been made with the erection of a new town hall at Toko, the site of which li§s at the back of the railway station.

Mr. Boon, contractor for the erection of a iwo-cell lock-up at Whangarnomona, is making good progress with the building, and, given fine weather, hopes to have it completed in about a week’s time.

A new bridge has been erected leading from the main road at Poliokura to the railway station, to which easy access can now he obtained.

Business was again very slack at the Magistrate’s Court this morning, a quarter of an hour sufficing to enable Sir. Kenvick to dispose of tire town’s litigation.

A start has been made with the erection of a cast-iron water-trough ib replace the old wooden one near Mr. S. Ward’s shop. The Wellington Harbour Board, at its next meeting, will discuss "a series of resolutions in the direction of substantially reducing the port charges. Owing to their electric lighting engine being out cf order, West’s Pictures are unable to show in Stratford to-night, as intended, and the enter tainment is postponed.

Bisiiop Crossley, Bishop of the Auckland diocese, will visit Stratford next Friday evening, when he will be entertained by the members of the Holy Trinity parish. C. Diamond proceeded at the Magistrate’s Court this morning against N. Leverage for a judgment summons order for the payment of £2 3s 6d. There was no appearance of judgment debtor, and he was ordered to pay the amount forthwith, in default seven days’ imprisonment. A local resident has received a postcard from Mr. J. Fredric, dated Suva May 10th. Mr. Fredric went from Auckland to the Islands, and he arrived in Sydney on Friday last. He leaves Sydney for Auckland, and is expected back in Stratford in about a fortnight. Judgment was given by default in the following cases at the Magistrate’s Court this morning :—J. Patterson v. R. McLennan, £5 Ids, costs £1 3s 6d; J. Patterson v. A. Hansen, £6 Ids, costs £1 3s 6d; C. B. Walsh v. R. V. Edwards, £1 13s 3d, costs ds; P. Jackson v. J. R. Jones. £5 Bs, costs £1 3s 6d; E. L. McQuay v. John Garlic, £9, costs £1 18s 6d.

On Wednesday a horse belonging to Messrs. McCluggage Bros, created some astonishment by appearing on the road at Whangamombna with its cover in flames. However, the horse was stopped and the flames extinguished. It was thought at first that somebody had maliciously set fire to the cover, but now it is presumed that the horse lay down among some ashes smouldering from last Friday’s fire at the stables. The Borough Council will meet at 7.30 o’clock on Monday next to consider the Hospital Board’s request to close Portia Street. At 8 o’clock the Council will further consider the loan proposals, when the following notices of motion will be dealt withßy Cr. Healy: That the resolution of March 10th standing in Cr. Paget’s name, deferring the question of including the bridges in the loan scheme be rescinded. By Cr. Paget; That the sum of £9OO be raised by special loan for the purchase of a steam read roller.

For the convenience of persons travelling beyond Te Wera, the Public Works Department intend attaching a passenger carriage to the ballast train at an early date. We understand that the service will he on Tuesday and Saturday, leaving Poliokura in time to catch the mid-day train at Te Wera on Tuesday, and also to catch the early morning train on Saturday, returning to Pohokura in the evening after the arrival of the train at To Wera.

Superannuation for the employees of the Wellington Harbour Board was one of the subjects discussed at Wednesday night’s meeting of the Board, when the following resolution was carried after considerable discussion : “That it is desirable that a scheme of superannuation for the employees of the Board he established, and that with this end in view the Board obtain an actuarial report on the whole question, showing what respective contributions from the Board and the employees are necessary to afford reasonable benefits to the contributors as well as to make the fund financially sound.”

Messrs. MeCluggage Bros’ stables at Whangarnomona were destroyed by fire on Friday night last. There was an insurance of £l5O on the building tin: State office, but there was no insurance on the contents—2oo sacks of draff and 60 sacks of oats. The stables and contents were completely destroyed. During the progress of the fire it was thought advisable to tear down some of tlm hack promises of the store to save the flames from the stables spreading through. This move was successful in saving the store. Already part of the stables lias been rebuilt.

P. Fabian pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate's Court this morning to a charge preferred by the Borough Inspector of having on May 17th driven a horse and dray after sunset without a light. Defendant pleaded that he could not be guilty when he was quite able to see Barlow approaching him. He further said that he was employed hy Masters and Son, had just finished a delivery round, and was merely proceeding round the corner to the stables. In the circumstances the S.M. entered a conviction, hut inflicted no penalty beyond tire payment of 7s costs.

The Borough Inspector proceeded against George Bianchi at the Magistrate's Court this morning on a charge of having on May 16th driven five loose horses in Regan Street. Mr Spence appeared for Bianchi. and pleaded guilty. The inspector said Bianchi caused him more trouble than the rest of the borough put together. 'Hie S.M. said defendant should have taken heed of the warning he got when last charged. Mr. Spence stated that the offence ocurred before last Court day, when the warning was given. He also said that the custom of driving loose horses through the streets had become so tooted before tire present Inspector displayed zeal in endeavour ing to suppress ,it,i that it wafljhard to wipe out A fiia if KDs iiM dibsltA fvts impJeil.

We acknowledge receipt, with thanks, from tlie Registrar of Friendly Societies, of “The Friendly Societies Act, 1909,” and regulations with introduction and complete index. The publication is in pamphlet form, and should bo in the hands of every member of a friendly society.