LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 100, 17 June 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr Kern iek, S.M., yesterday granted one old-age pension. Messrs A. H. Halcnmhe, William Rogers, and James Wade retire from the Taranaki Education Hoard hy ofHnxion of time, and are all eligible for re-election. Nominations are invited !>y tlio secretary of the Hoard, .Mr. P. S. Whitcombs, to close on July 3rd.

'!’he Now Plymouth ‘‘civic fathers,” or some of them, held an impromptu fireworks display in King street last, night. _ Thov were probably testing some fireworks for flic Coronation night festivities, says the “News,” hut it reminded at least one observer oi the rejoicings of the small hoys over tiio failure of Mr Cuido Fawkes to blow some old-time law-makers into another world.

A “working-bco” at Box-lull (Victoria) on a recent Saturday resulted in the erection of a band rotunda of a most substantial kind. Between 50 ami (if) workmen got to work in real earnest about 1 p.m., and at 8 p.m. the rotunda—which reaches a height of 23ft. from the ground, has a floorspace ol 2il l. in diameter, a sounding board oft. bin. in widfh, a neat hallustraile, and various artistic features—was as much a part of the town as though it had been there for years.

Mr Arthur Bourchier has' abandoned, lor a time at least, the famous heard he grew for “Henry Ylit.” He declares, however, that his experiences of wearing one—so uncommon a thing- for an actor—was so pleasant that ho will have recourse to it on the fifst tempting opportunity a dramatist may offer him. Ho does not yet feel, no says, that he has quite recovered from the Joss the barhar inflicted on him, and if he had time would go to sea again to grow another, arid so repair tlie damage done to his comfort and appearance. Mr 1). E. Fraser, Inspector of Schools in the Tareo district, Now South Wales, in reporting .upon school libraries, observes: “Too taste for reading is,' as a rule, more strongly developed amongst the girls than amongst the boys, whose many out-of-doors tasks leave them little leisure for reading. In some centres it is hard to cultivate ‘the reading habit.’ Fiom one school a pupil took home a ‘Windsor Magazine.’ Next day the book was returned with a note* from the mother: ‘This is not a fit hook for my son to read, as it lias cricketers’ portraits in it. We want more workers and fewer cricketers in Australia. Do not send homo any story hooks or picture books.’ ” At last meeting of the Bruce County Council the following resolution was . carried“ That, in the event of any projected alteration in South Otago electorates, the Bruce County Council strongly and urgently (with all duo respect) appeals to the Commissioners in charge of the adjustment of electorates for their sympathetic consideration, with a view to the continued maintenance of the electorate of Bruce. As the people, of Britain reverence the name of Bruce as one whose actions played an important part in the building'up of the great British. nation, so in like manner do the people of Bruce value the name—in the first place because of its historic associations in matters connected with the early history of this country ; and, secondly, because of its vast agricultural, pastoral, and mineral productiveness thereby playing a most important part in the building up of this Dominion; thirdly, because of its people’s common interest and the localisation of public affairs.” That the Presbyterian Church, as shrewd as she is earnest, should permit 50,000 of her Australian flock to wander at large, unblest and all but unheeded, without making a very determined effort to bring them under her shepherding care, is unthinkable says the “Age.” The Rev. W. M. Alexander told the Presbyterian'Assembly in Melbourne that he refused to believe in the existence of these stampeded slice;), notwithstanding the evidence of a statistical report showing that at the last census of a decade, ago 50,000 Presbyterian “materialised” on the census forms who were outside the cognisance of the kirk. The Rev. Hume Roberts, who presented a report on the subject, was hopeful that the result of the recent census would re-establish the kirk’s reputation of knowing her own and keeping her hand on her own. In the country at. least it would, he thought, he shown that the church knew all about 90 per cent, of the Presbyterians there. Even that will leave a fair margin for the lost sheep. The 70-year-old claims of the American whaler Webster in respect of land said to have been purchased from the Maoris while they were an independent people have now been definitely raised to the plane of an international question (says the London correspondent of the Otago “Daily Times”). While in New York the Attorney-General (Dr. Findlay) met representatives of tiie British Embassy and wont into the matter. The questions and the place and time of trial were fully discussed. The tribunal will consist of three persons—one chosen hy each of the two nations concerned (Great Britain and America) and an umpire, who shall he chosen from a special list hy the two persons so appointed hy the respective nations. The tribunal will hoar not only the Webster case, hut several others of a similar nature which have arisen in Canada and Newfoundland, and in which, of course. New Zealand is not at all interested. A number of important aspects of the Webster case have been referred to the Colonial Office, and are now being considered. Dr. Findlay will make arrangements to have the To Akau appeal case pushed on before the Privy Council as soon as possible. Under the influence of recent legislation large areas of land arc being put on the market in Groat Britain. One firm of auctioneers alone is offering for sale English and Scottish estates aggregating 2(55,000 acres, and including several lino properties in Devonshire, Norfolk, Sussex, Gloucestershire, and Lincolnshire. Among recent sellers arc named the Duke or Westminster, the Marquis of Graham, the Duke of Sutherland, Lord Tollemache, the Earl of Abingdon, the Dowager Countess of Carnarvon, Earl Sondes, Lord Colohrpoko, Earl Manvers, and Lord Jlchestcr. In most cases the estates are being purchased hy men who have acquired wealth in business of some kind—owners of coal mines, ox-fin and ers, contractors, shipbuilders, and so on. Will they, it is asked, improve on the example of tboir predecessors hy applying theii business knowledge to the agricultural development of England ? A few are doing so, hut \yhcther they will accomplish much for the country as a class seems doubtful at present. The majority are elderly men, who feel they have bought the right to ease and comfort for the remainder of their lives. None of them is under any necessity to make the land “pay.” Lord Pirrie.* the millionaire ship owner, who bought the Surrey Estate, fantastical!;. - garnished hy Whitaker Wright, converted a. number of farms into an addition '■•) hm doer forest at an expenditure .of £25,900.

This afternoon the Bey Scouts arc being put through Ilia drill accessary, for Coronation Day.

Mr J. B. Scott has nearly completed the building of the Pohokura railway station.

In another column the Mayor adverties the order of the procession, to he held on Coronation Day. He also invites old members of the Mounted Rifles and footballers to take part.

Tiie following payments for milk wore made to-day liy dairy factories:— Ngaire, £2158: Lowgarth, £1814; Cardiff, £506; Stratford, £1743. The throe first-named factories have now ceased to receive milk.

Messrs Masters and Sons have a special Coronation display at their premises in Broadway. One window contains a tasteful show of crockery, and in the pther a display of flour is made, the effect of the whole being highly pleasing.

The first passenger train from Whangatnomoua arrived at To Wera this morning with 'twenty-five passengers. This train connected with to-day’s two trains for Stratford, and will also connect with the one o’clock train on Tuesdays.

Those interested are asked to specially note that the clearing sale advertised by tlie N.Z. L. and M.A. Co., to take place on Monday next, 19th inst., at Finnerty Road, Ngaire, on behalf of Mr Robertson, lias been withdrawn, and the notification regarding the same which appeared in our columns yesterday was accidentally inserted.

Thns_ the “Wellington Post”:— “Vaulting ambition can he just as disastrous in the moral sphere as in others. Thus many good men, eager and able to benefit a community, may undo the good which they and others have done. A Puritanical Sunday, with everybody ‘mum and glum,’ will not suit Australians,’ and it will not suit New Zealanders. Rcformers_ who ache and itch to put free people in a Sabbatarian strait-jacket are wasting their time and energy.”

It is estimated that there are between 1300 and 1400 men looking for work on tiie Wellington wharf at the present time, says the “Post,”, and union officials estimate that there is not employment for more than a thousand at the outside. A man- in a good position to judge stated today that ho looked forward to the worst of the winter months with some misgiving.

According to the Auckland “Herald,” which is urging the taking of steps, to improve the quality of that city’s water supply, a glass of puro drinking water is practically unknown • in Auckland. Whilst an analysis of the water has shown it to be chemic- ! ally pure, its discolouration has been a source of complaint almost ever since the Nihotapu supply was initiated. No provision was made in the scheme for filtration or sedimentation.

The local railway staff assembled last night to bid farewell to GangerT. Hansen, who has been stationed in Stratford for some time, and who has resigned from the service and intends to engage in farming at Ratapiko. Surfaceman George Parker presented the guest of the evening with a silver-mounted pocket-book and a silver-mounted pipe, and a silver jam dish for Mrs Hansen. Mr Hansen suitably responded to the exllogistic remarks made about him, and the evening was pleasantly spent with song and story.

A copy of a petition praying for the, peleas/mof Lionel Terry, as an, act of clemency in Coronation year; has been received at this office, where those in favour may sign it. Readers may remember that Terry was sentenced to imprisonment for life for killing an aged Chinaman at Wellington. The petition, which has been prepared by Mr. J., Liddell Kelly, the well-known New Zealand journalist, sets forth the grounds upon which a free pardon is asked for Terry, who has now suffered over five years’ imprisonment, and is said to bo perfectly rational and resolved to leave Now Zealand at once if released.

The June “Windsor Magazine” is a remarkably attractive' number, packed with complete stories by distinguished novelists and articles instructive and entertaining, which are also notable for their wealth of illustrations. A complete long story by Justus Miles Forman revives the interest which that favourite author formerly created around a famous pearl known as “The Harvest Moon,” Eden Phillpotts contributes another characteristic episode in his Dartmoor scries “From ‘The Plume of Feathers,’ ” and the surprising career of “Lord Stranleigh, Philanthropist” is carried a stage further by Robert Barr. Keble Howard contributes a charming little comedy-story. and Archibald Marshall, Fred. M. White, and other popular authors are also represented in the number, which reaches us from Mr. H. J. Honkins.

The new system of conducting the harbour elections by the local bodies has proved very expensive so far as the Now Plymouth Harbour Board has been concerned, says the “News.” The Taranaki County Council’s “little bill'’ was for £92 7s Gd, New Plymouth. Borough Council £43 4s Id, Waimato West County £l9 15s 3d, Stratford Borough Council (uncontssted election) £ll 7s Gd. .and .Stratford County Council £8 Os 3d. The Harbour Board, at its meeting yesterday, held up the Waimato West account for further particulars, some of the expenditure having in the Board’s opinion boon quite unnecessary and tiro election unlawful. Mr Hughes wanted to know where ho “came in” about bis pergonal election expenses, hut the other members only laughed with him at the “joke” of paying out money for an unnecessary light, or as ho termed it, “an imaginary election.”