The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1911. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 106, 26 June 1911, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1911. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr T. Lawless is on a visit to Stratford. ,On Saturday night Harry Woods, a labourer, got under the night train at To Wcra and was killed. Mr J. Sexton proceeded to To Wcra this morning to hold an inquest. Some of those present at the execution of Tahi Kaka were under the impression that the young Maori’s last word, ns tho holt was drawn, was “hooray,”■ says tho Auckland “Star.” In reality, Jus Jinal exclamation was the one word “a-u-o,”. which is Maori for “farewell,” and tho pronunciation of tho word was not at all unlike the English word, although conveying a far different meaning'. Tho subject of military training was discussed at the Inst meeting of the Auckland Provincial executive of the Now Zealand Farmers’ Union. The aspect, of tho question which was reviewed was the position in the defence scheme of those engaged in agricultural pursuits. It was resolved to forward a remit to the Dominion Conference expressing tho opinion of the Auckland union that ten days in camp in May, Juno, or July, and four muster parades were sufficient.

To tho “Empire Review” Mr J. W. .Toyut, M.A., contributes an article on “University Development in Now Zealand.” Tho conclusion at which he has arrived is that tho New Zealand atmosphere itself is not yet charged with that intellectual buoyancy and energy which make for scientific discovery or literary creation. “As a new country,” says Mr Joynt, “it is mainly occupied with tho problems of its own practical dovclopamiit; and for such a stage the present work-a-day university system seems to he adequate and appropriate. No university, however ardent and idealistic, can afford, any more than a statesman, to outstrip by too great a distance the average state of the? public mind. If tho hopes of higher educationists in New Zealand arc to rest on a firm basis, it must lie found iu tho gradual and progressive development of the teaching colleges proceeding pari passu with the awakening intellectual needs and practical requirements of the country. It hi rather an unprofitable business quarrelling with the organisation under which one works. Proposals for drastic change in Now Zealand are confronted with practical difficulties of the. gravest character, a full discussion. of. which would require a space disproportionate to the general character of this Review and its readers’ interest in the subject,”

The 'Ton. George Fowl els will l>o entertained at supper in Mrs. Brown’s rooms alter his address to-morrow evening, I»y mem hers of the Borough Council, Chamber of Commerce, and School Committee.

The total lire losses in the Palmerston tiro district for the past year was £9755. In 1909 the total was ovei £20,000, while in 1908 close on £15,000 worth of property that was not covered by insurance went up in smoke.

Since Tom Long, the hangman, died at Wanganui a year or two ago, there has been no official successor. The execution of-Tahi Kaka at Mount Eden Gaol was carried out by a young man hailing from Wellington, and on tiro strength of his work he has, i( is understood, applied for official appointment as hangman in New Zealand.

The “Daily News” says; The interpleader case of Dwan Bros. v. Newton King recently decided, re one Hubert Collyns, in which judgment was given in favour of Messrs. Dwan Bros, in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court, and against which Mr D. Hutchon, acting for Mr Newton King, lodged a notice of appeal, has been settled, Messrs Dwan Bros, paying Mr King’s claim in full with all costs

The Hon. George Fowlds will - arrive in Stratford by the mail train to-morrow evening and at 8 o’clock will deliver a political address in the Town Hall under the auspices of the Liberal League. He has been invited to the town by the Borough Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the School Committee, and these bodies will entertain him during his stay, which will terminate on Wednesday afternoon. 1

Mr C. Cuming presided over a meeting of utility poultry breeders at the Empire Hotel Palmerston North on ’Wednesday. It was decided to form a North Island Utility Poultry Association, and a provisional committee, including Messrs C. Finn, I). Inman-Tod and A. Mundy was appointed to further the project. A long discussion took place on general matters affecting the poultry industry, especially as affecting the utility classes.

Tiio Chamber of Commerces advertise their "animal meeting for Thursday, at 8 p.m. The institution has had much to engage its attention during the past year and the annual report should nrbvp interesting and instructive. The progress and wol faro of the town and district is largely influenced by such bodies, and the executive committee will welcome in torost in and criticism of their man ageniont, feeling that in a multitude of counsel there is wisdom.

A progressive euchre party was held on Friday evening last in aid of the funds of the Bird Hoad School. Misses A. Breen and N. Dougherty played off for the ladies’ prize, Miss Breen being the Jinal winner. Fo: the gentlemen’s prize Mr ,T. Komi; boat Mr J. Pattinson in the play-off After the card tournament had been decided the room was cleared foi dancing which was kept up till ai. early hour, excellent music being supplied by Messrs J. Crowe and J. Pat tinson. Messrs J. Crowe and Bowling worked hard to make the entertain mont a success, and the ladies deserve the highest praise for the excellent supper supplied. Two Maoris wore brought before Mi. Konrick, S.M., at the Hawera Magis trato’s Court on Saturday morning or charges of having been drunk, and j. conviction without penalty was recorded ;in each case: net r Only lonootd the Maoris appeared, and when asked if lie had anything to say in answer to the charge, ho replied, through the interpreter, that ho had only one word to say—God save the King. It seems that ho met the Mao-( ri chief in Hawera who had boon present at the Manaia celebrations and as lie himself had been present at the Hawera celebrations they compared notes, drinking freely the while. They toasted the King many times and before he knew it ho was drunk. The Magistrate gave him ■ good advice and, as stated, imposed no penalty.

The funeral of the late Mr James Way yesterday afternoon was a remarkable tribute to the popularity and appreciation of the worth of an unobtrusive but sterling worker or many local athletic organisations, says this morning’s “Daily News.” Tiu funeral cortege was headed by th< Taranaki Garrison Band, playing tht Dead March, and there was a very large number of Oddfellows and mein hers of the New Plymouth, Fitzroy. and other lire brigades to pay a last tribute to their brother and comrade. The coffin was drawn on a hose-reel by a party of firemen, and was covered with the Union Jack. .After it came a large concourse ol men—members of the Taranaki Rugby Football Referees’ Association (oi which the deceased was. a .member), members of the local football clubs, cards clubs, and the general public. The service at the graveside was ven impressivo. It was suggested the other day, ar a fitting compliment to King George on his Coronation, that men allow their beards to grow as is the cue tom with Royalty. Quite a contrary practice, however, has set .in, and during the last few days in Stratford the various hairdressers have been busily engaged removing every ves tigo 'of hair from the faces of our youth. Even in our own office strange faces appear—not that there wat much growth to be proud of before the application of the razor. It is freely asserted, in this latter connection,' that a microscopical search had to ho made by the harbor before he could locate the down on the countenances of some of our staff; in fact it has boon suggested that when the lather was applied lie had to gc. to the door and whistle in order to give the growth time to appear. Mr H. Fricdlandor (chairman of tin Lyttelton Harbour Board) lately com pictcd a tour of inspection of tiu Lyttelton harbour, going over all tiu wharves, the dock, and other departments. During his inspection ho sav ironhark piles which had boon in tiu water for twenty-seven years withouf having been sheathed and which showed no sign of decay. The appearance of those piles afforded him an opportunity to make a contrast with pile; ho saw in the Auckland harbour, where on wharves erected only eight years ago, ho said, some piles arc “absolutely banging.” It is stated that the chemical constituents in tiu mud in Lyttelton harbour destroy tiu teredo insect which attacks timboi in the water.

“Olio ini?j;iit think we wore in the backyard of some Government school, to hoar the way yon differ with one another,” remarked Mr C. C. Kettle at the Auckland S.M. Court the ethos morning, when Mr London and Mr Quinn was on opposite sides in a case. “In this Court lot us conduct things properly.” Mr Quinn replied: “I thank your Worship. I did not like the remark myself,” which brought forth a sharp “That is quite enough” from the Bench. Later on in the same case a witness caused Mi Kettle to, remark, “If you will onlv confine yourself to answering questions, instead of being impudent 01 funny, it will bo better for the progress of the case.”

The annual conference of delegates from Hospital Boards commences in Wellington to-morrow. Messrs Marchant and Penn, chairman and secretary respectively of the 'Stratford Hospital Board, left by this morning’s mail train in order to be present at the conference.

I am glad to notice that Mr. Fred. Hardy is able to- move .about after his very severe illness, writes the Eltham correspondent of the “Taranaki Herald.” Fred, looks a Hit reduced in

.might, but otherwise is beginning >6 got back to ins old self,, and a full return to previous health is the wish if all of ns hero.

The many friends of Mr. R. R. Hutcheson (formerly of. Stratford) and of his daughter, Miss Margaret Hutcheson (who for some years has boon mistress of the Midhirst School) will regret to learn of their groat bereavement by the death of Miss Maude Hutcheson, which occurred rather suddenly this morning after a short illness. The interment will take place at Midhirst to-morrow afternoon.