LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 85, 30 May 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Acting Chief Secretary of New South Wales lias issued regulations directing that in future Sunday concerts must he of a strict religious nature, and no collection will he allowed till the end of the performance. Mr. George Nelson will contest the Napier scat as an Independent Liberal. At a meeting called to present a requisition to him, Mr. Nelson said: Do not gauge me hy the number of railway stations and post offices that might he erected. One must go in entirely free. If one could not go in and' conduct oneself in a statesmanlike manner it would he hotter not to go in at all. We have received a copy of the “Now Zealand Farmer” annual fruit number. The journal is profusely illustrated with excellent photographs showing what is being done in the way of fruit culture and export in Now Zealand, views being given of orchards from the North of Auckland to Central Otago. Altogether the Juno “New Zealand Farmer,” in which all the standard departments are also liberally catered for, is well worthy of perusal. A few weeks ago, when the Napier train arrived at Ormondville, a very portly gentleman alighted from a lirstclass carriage, landing on the permanent way instead of on tlie station as he intended, the latter being some distance away. Groping along hestumvlcd over the signal lines, and naturally made some remarks appropriate to the occasion. He was heard to threaten that lie “would see about this.” Fvidentlv lie had done so, for a now limp-post has been erected in the sou lb end of the platform. The rcsidenls now want him to return and repeat '(he performance, so that a lamp may be obtained for -the other end of the platform.

Mr. and Mrs. 11. Kirk\yood loft by tin's morning’s mail train ,on route to Blenheim, where Mr. Kirkwood lias secured the license of the Masonic Hotel. Mr F. Milner has in his garden, says the Manaia “Witness,” strawberry plants in full flower, which is rather unusual at. this time of the year, and points to the exceeding mildness of the season. A new cast-iron drinking trough has been erected in Broadway north near Mr S. Ward’s shop by the Borough Council. It is a neat and compact erection and should prove a lasting job. Mr .T. Frodric returned to Stratford yesterday morning from his round trip to the South Sea Islands and Svdne.y, having spent a very enjoyable time. Mr Jury, who accompanied Mr Fredric on his tour, proceeded on to Melbourne from Sydney. On Thursday last “The Press” celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its first appearance in the very early days of Christchurch, by issuing a twenty-page jubilee number, full pf historical interest and a splendid example of high-class journalism. Entries for the Taranaki winter show were some 230 ahead of last year’s when the secretary’s office closed last night. A further batch should arrive this morning by the post from the country. Entries close definitely at noon to-day. The space applied for is far larger than was the case last year.

The Taranaki Education Board gives notice that the annual meetings of householders in several school districts at places set forth in another column will take place on Monday, June 19th, at 7 p.m., for the purpose of electing duly nominated persons as members of school committees for the ensuing year. In answer vto an invitation to the Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, to visit Stratford, the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr J. B. Richards, has received a letter from the Minister stating that he is unable to get away at present, but that, he hopes to make arrangements to visit Stratford towards the end of June or in the beginning of July. Preliminary arrangements were made at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council for the celebration of the Coronation. On Cr. Ward’s suggestion it was decided to hold a procession which should finish in Victoria Park, where a service, in which all ministers of religion will be asked to participate, will be held. The Mounted Rifles, the school cadets, the Boy Scouts and the Girl Peace Scouts will be asked to parade, and the fire brigade, friendly societies, rifle club and veterans will also be asked to take part in the procession. The school children will be taught to sing the National Anthem, and it is hoped to turn out the town band. If the weather is wet the function will be held in the Town Hall.

According to tlio Dunedin correspondent of the Wellington “Post” there seems to be some uncertainty locally as to whether holders of debentures issued by, public bodies are liable to pay income tax on the debenture interest, namely, whether debenture holders should bi d ide the interest as part of them income in compiling their returns. Taxpayers are or have recently been busy making up their returns, and there have been the customary inquiries at the Town Hall and the Harbour Boaid office as to whether holders of municipal or Harbour Board debentures must include their debenture interest in the return of sources of income. It appears that in the past the offi-, cials of the local bodies mentioned have advised debenture-holders .that they need not do so. To set the matter at rest the editor of _ the “Star” asked for a definite decision from the Commissioner of Taxes, and Mr Campbell has advised that the answer is in the affirmative if interest is payable in New Zealand. For some unstated reason the Manaia “ Witness” breaks out as follows in its latest issue regarding Eltham : “Eltham stands in the front rank among the rising towns of Taranaki. It impresses the visitor pleasantly. Its expanding suburbs are refreshingly picturesque, and one notes the varied architecture of the neat residences standing in carefully tended grounds. The rise of the town, though rapid, has not boon meteoi ic which is a good thing. Seven years a»o the tree trunks left by tne axeman were still standing in its principal street. To-day in the same street stands some establishments that might easily rank with some of the best business houses in any of the chief cities. There is comfort and confidence and the surest indications of prosperity on every hand, and an active enterprise asserts itself in the building of warehouses on a scale that fills the stranger with astonishment. Everywhere around, also are evidences of excellent municipal administration, which makes Eltham a cheerful community to Jive in. And withal there are none of the upstart conceits and the fuss and flashiness which distinguishes some other ‘rising communities. Onei can easily understand why a visiting of the Crown remarked that Eltham vas destined in time to take first ( place among the towns of Taranaki, would be interesting to know if ot.uford has done something to offend the “Witness,” or whether the Witness does not look with an approving eye on Hawera.