LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 123, 17 July 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Some Southland farmers tried to kill thistles liy a free application of whey. The thistles throve, hut the' grass was absolutely destroyed. They are now looking for another “way."’ A South Island correspondent states that the best remedy he knows Jor the potato grnh is to sprinkle the tubers with sulphur in the hags or on the ground, which he says deals death to the grubs. When a man wishes to “plant” Ids inonev, he often resorts to curious hiding places, hut the action of a Napier Chinaman whose premises were raided lately, in hiding a sixpence in his car, is a marvel of ingenuity. Councillor McGrath lias given notice to move at the next meeting of the Napier llorough Council, that the council consider the advisability of cancelling licenses for picture shows on Sunday after the expiration of three months.

War in the bread trade is looked forward to in Wanganui, as some firms are going in for “cutting prices.” Private advice has been received by Mr. H. Twiss, of Stratford, to the effect that Jos brother-in-law, Major Las'collos, who recently proceeded to England, has been appointed an aide-de-camp to Lord Kitchener. Recent mail news from New Caledonia contains an exciting story of a dispute between a ,lady and , a hawk for possession of a huge hat ,which the former had just received from' I’aim. The lady was taking a walk ina suburb of Noumea, on a recent anc/n );n>, when suddenly a largo imwk swooped from a great height, 'and fixing its claws in her hat endeavoured, to carry it away. The lady screamed for help, which was fortunately forthcoming, but it was with considerable difficulty that' her rescuers managed to remove the huge fiat from her iiead. When they had done so, it proved an equally difficult task to detach the sav age bird from her hat. The hawk had been attracted by a large pigeon, with which the hat was adorned, and while he tore the ornamental biikl to shreds in Ids beak, his claws became so hopelessly taagx-n in , the trimmings that he was unable to escape, and was eventually despatched, but, not before mad;.mo’s chapeau was reduced to a heap of rags.

“Any port in a storm,” says the “Wanganui Herald” of recent date, was apparently tho thought which actuated the mind a now-deceased sparrow. As a young man was walkin;?; across the footway on the town bridge, a sparrow that evidently posossod even a more liberal share of inquisitiveness than the rest of its kind, made a dash through the open space between the bridge and the pedestrians’ track, and thence up one leg of the trousers of a passer-by, who, however, failed to enter into the spirit of the joke. He thought the intruder was a mouse, and no nervous young lady could have been more . agitated, But the inevitable good Samaritan was oil' the scene, and the bulging trouser leg was firmly grasped until all movement ceased. It was not until the battered corpse of a very dead sparrow dropped out of his nether garments that the victim was aware that the “mouse” which had apparently conceived such a violent affection for him, existed nowhere but in his imagination.

' Speaking in Dunedin on Monday last, Mr Cl. B. iNicholls said :“By every democratic right there ought now to be ‘dry’ area from Invercargill to the other side of the Waitaki River, and even a good deal beyond that. Dunedin and Dunedin South, Chalmers and Taicri, taken together, polled in 1908 a majority of 5489 votes over the continuance vote, nearly 3000 of this being in Dunedin itself, yet most of the licenses continue. Wo ought to make no race of it this time. To show how close victory is, let me quote the percentages necessary to secure no-license. In 1908 Dunedin advanced 7\ per cent, cf the total vote required to gain the coveted 60 per cent, position, and only 3.j per cent, more, or less than half what we advanced in 1908, will see us win. (Applause.) Chalmers requires 24 per cent, more to win, Taieri only the half of 1 per cent.; and South Dunedin 4) per cent. The prospect for the biggest sweep ever yet made in New Zealand •'should "inspire' all workers.” Employers throughout the Dominion are complaining that they cannot secure a sufficient number of factory hands to enable them to keeji pace with the demands of their business, and this, according to statements made in the annual report of the Wellington Employers’ Association, is resulting in a very large increase of importations by traders and a,corresponding decline in local niahiV- , factures (remarks the “New Zealand Hines”). The two chief causes of the shortage, says the report, are the declining birthrate and the disinclination of young people to accept work in t factories or workrooms. The committee believes that there are in the' orphanages and charitable institutions of Great Britain largo numbers of young people capable of being trained in industries who could be’ engaged to come to permanent positions in Now Zealand, and whose lives would ho brightened and outlook enlarged by the change cf environment and the prospect of being able to earn their livelihood. It is suggested that the Government should be asked to assist in furthering this project.

Saturday, July 1, was a landmark in tno Idstoi'y of the Commonwealth. Tim new compulsory military and ■nival training systems came into being, with vital consequences to the well-being of Australia. The Federal Bank Notes Act became fully operative, and private banks will not now be allowed to issue notes without paying the prohibitive tax of 10 per cent. During the few months of the Act’s operation the Commonwealth has issued notes to the value of £8,030,000. The neiv butter regulations, which promise to. have an important effect on the export trade, also became law, and the new stanuard for butter will operate as follows:—No fat other than butter fat.

■' 1 mcro than 15 per cont. of water. ■) per cent, of casein, 0.5 per cent, of foric acid, 4 per cent, of salt, and not less than 82 per cent, of butter fat. Any colouring matter deemed by the Minister to be harmless may he used. Last, but not least, the lay is memorable, because the Commonwealth closed its tenth financial year witn a snreins of more than £! .000,000.

Says the Dunedin “Evening Star” : Housewives, who are complaining tbont the price of butter may bo to some extent consoled by the assnraino of a gentleman who knows all the particulars of the Now Zealand dairying industry, and is intimately acquainted with profits and losses, that the high price now asked for butter is the . outcome ■ of , natural causes." The cows were starved in tho autumn, owing to the drought, aii I the stocks arc exhausted, whilst very little is being made. Wo aro rein ting to fresh butter. There is any amount of good salt butter in the country at reasonable values, but the people will not eat it. Our inlormant declares with positiveuess that there is no ring in the South, f p Wellington way a ring is in existence. but there is no stock to control, so that the ring is as much floored as everybody else. But the me sent tightness of the butter market is not likely to last. For this choc-ring information we are indebted to Hr 4. R. Scott, secretary of the South Island Dairy Association, who says that ni> North the cows are combig in earlier than usual, and that by the end of this month the p?« pie around Palmerston North and other districts will be making plenty ;it butter, so that there is reason to ’hope for ‘ a fall in price by August. 'MV-Scott adds that winter dairying D becoming less and loss payable for the. arduous work.

A half-crown space crowded to suffocation and a live shilling space irn- ; mediately in front nearly empty, and protected by only a low barrier, were the prime causes Of a stampede of half-'crowncrs at the commencement | of the Sheffield Choir’s concert (says the “Southland Times”). One man ' got over the rails, and was followed immediately by 399 fellow-suffer-ers I .' The immediate result of the stampede was that 400 self-satisfied Ira liber owners enjoyed, without let or hindrance, the comfort, seats, and i bioatking space for which five shilh lings was demanded. The following special business will , be dealt with at the meeting of trio Stratford County Council on Wednes- ’ day next:—To strike a general rato r for the current year; and tv confirm ' t'pccuu orders nsfituted 21st Juno, , making and levying sepaiarv rates. over separate rating districts. Cr. } Poritt to move “That £ for £ be I voted from the North'Riding “special h fund to supplement the York, Rad- ; nor, West, Monmouth, and Stanley * Cross and Croydon Roads separate 3 rates.” Cr. Walter to ■ move: “That 3 £3O be voted from the East Riding 3 special fund towards the cost of.comT pitting the new Kopua . drainage L works.”

At the Feilding S.M. Court on Thursday last, A. Attwood was charged with issuing a false certificate affecting the carriage of a racehorse by rail from Dannevirke to Feilding. There was also a further charge of making use of the certificate and obtaining a consignment note. Dffendaat pleaded guilty, and was fined £2 and costs 23s in each case, the S.M. stating that ho had taken into consideration the fact • that the ehaiges had not arisen out of Aitwood’s own personal act, but were due to the action of a lad in his empbiy. Why is it that so many men, and especially young men, in the Dominion ay.- indifferent to the little courtesies that indicate reverence and respect for what is sacred in lift ? aekS a contemporary. Certainly it is not a lesson they have learned ft am those , who visit these shores from, ether parts. At Dunedin, as the boat containing the Sheffield choir was leaving the wharf, the choir sang the National Anthem, and were disgusted to see so many m a n >.n the v. Larf with their heads cover., 1 v. bile they were doing so. Many of the members were moved to angii'y demonstrate their protest by abdo+mg “.Remove your hats!”

Residents of the Bluff wore on Monday tv unrig last, given a opportuiVity of hearing iJi> Sheffield Choir. At ibo suggestion of the Mayor, Dr. •ilapris consented to allow the choir to ( give a couple of items from the dock or tiie. Mmuka as the vessel daiTrl from tire j.crt. News quickly 'dji'Ma.l as co tin treat in store, and 'hundreds of Bluff residents lined the wbaif ia anticipation. The choir ipered with “O Gladstone Light,” rud also contributed a chorus from “The Messiah.” The choir concluded by singing the National Anthem, and cheers were given for Dr. Harris by the Bluff residents as the vessel steamed from the wharf.

A miraculous escape from death at Larry’s Creek, near Reefton, is reported 'by the “Inangahua Times.” A shunter named Ewart was moving oomo loaded waggons, when he slipped;; and fell in front of them across the two rails. He just managed to, throw himself into the middle of the road whilst the waggons passed over him. Just as he got his head clear of the rails, the front wheel of the ; first waggon cut his hat in two. Had he attempted to scramble or roll out of .the way, or had there been traps in the waggons, he would most sureIv have been crushed to death. Only his presence of mind saved him.

Some time ago the Master Butchers of Palmerston requested the Borough Council to place a prohibitive,, licensing fee of £SO on meathawking carts, with a view to doing away with this insanitary method of disposing of'meat. The Council fixed the license fee at £5, and as that b ;s v not had the desired effect, the Master Butchers have now decided to discontinue the use of hawking carts. Under the new system meat as ordeVed will be cut up and weighed in the shop, wrapped in clean paper, and sent to the customer in an order cart or basket. This, will be more satisfactory both to the. butchers and their customers, and should bo decidedly more wholesome, and all the meat will be under inspection.

The owner of a bull running on a farm at Washdykes, in the Timaru district, decided that the animal’s existence must be terminated. With one or two others he entered the paddock where the bull was grazing, and levelling his rifle, attempted a “bull’s eye.” Tie only got an “outer,” however, the bullet striking the animal somewhere on the hindquarters. Then tho bull took a hand in the game, straightway charging the marksman, who' arc said to have done 100 yards in record time, clearing the fence at the end of the sprint with marvellous agility. But the bull was not, so easily baulked, and, with, tail erect, and ' bellowing furiously, he tors through the fence, scattering the people in the vicinity like a flock of sheep, causing the air to resound with shrieks and screams. Finally the. marksman got in a shot which brought the animal to the ground, and terminated an incident which, while mirth-provoking at one stage, might easily have ended in a tragedy.

“Never go down to the Antarctic with a three-man bunk,” said Professor David, in bis lecture at the Sydney Town Hall last week. “Always insist on the principle of one man one blink. Here, in the picture, you see a bunk made for three men. We took it because we thought it would help to keep- us warm. So it did, but we were very uncomfortable, for all that. When you want to turn over you find it very difficult. The only way to do it is -for all to turn over together -—which means waking the others up every time. Here is Dr. Mackay, who came with us when we went to the south magnetic pole. He has a pipe in Iris mouth. He always had. Ho was a great smoker, and ho found that iir the Antarctic the supply of ■ tobacco that he expected to last some months only lasted for a. few weeks. Then he tried dried tea leaves, hut found it unsatisfactory. After that, lie tried a kind of dried grass that wc had placed in our hoots, and, as he found that it answered much better, he was in the habit of coming round to us for a <ill. . . That second, old chap yon see there who looks like a witch is your lecturer. . . Here is a tale of a tul). In it yon see the hack pf a man, who is having a wash. He sometimes washed, hut very rarely.' We have gone four months at a time without a wash.” • ■■ The famous XWslyn Writing Pads obtainable from local drapers and storekeepers at Cd and Is each.*

Inspectors Ballantyne and Whctter were at the Stratford School to-day on their usual visit of inspection. At. the ..Magistrate’s Court this mdrnjng, before Mr. S. Ward, J.P., a first-offending drunkard was fined ss.

The council of the Acclimatisation Society will meet to-morrow evening for the purpose of considering remits to be sent to the annual conference of Acclimatisation Societies which is to be held in Wellington next month.

A special meeting of the Borough Council will be held to-night to consider the report of the committee set up to meet representatives of the Electric Light Company with a view to agreeing,to a basis of purchase by the Council. Mr. E. T. Jackson, lately teller at the Bank of New Zealand, Stratford, left this morning for Eltham, where he, will do relieving duty for two months, having just finished a fortnight’s relief work in Manaia. His Slace at Stratford has been taken by Ir. O. 6. C. Richter, and Mr. R. Archer has been added to the ledger staff.

At Feilding on Saturday the Magistrate (Mr. Thomson) delivered reserved judgment in the case Captain Levin, of the Feilding Mounted Rifles, v. Simeon Simeon, who was a member of the corps, failed, by non-attendance, to earn capitation for the corps. The judgment was to the effect that Simeon was a non-effi-cient, and that the regulations governing the attendances were still in force, and valid. Judgment was for the plaintiff corps for £4, with £2 6s costs.

Notwithstanding that a number of severe frosts have been experienced recently, and, the weather has been very cold, Mount Egm'ont’s coating of snow is exceedingly thin, and a cou{)le of days’ warm rain would almost gave it bare. As it is, many black patches are observable; in fact, a track nearly ta the top of Fantbams Eeak could be seen at the end of last week. This is most unusual for this time of year, and is believed to indicate an early and fine spring. .- Mr, D. A. McMillan, who lor the past nine years has been engineer to the Stratford Dairy Co., has severed his connection with the company to take up active farming on a nice dairying property. which he recently purchased in the famous Thames Valley, not Tar from Te Archa. Mr. McMillan, by his courtesy to all with whom he came in contact, has made many friends who will unite in wishing , himself and family all, sorts of prosperity in their new sphere. While in Stratford Mr. JtfcMillan has taken an intelligent interest in local affairs, and on the last three occasions has been elected a JGember of the Stratford SchoolCommittee.;

' While proceeding home t from the theatre on Saturday night, a gentleman encountered a large dog which had some very; big thing in his mouth. the dog got abreast the' gentleman gave it a fright, and it made off, leaving his burden on the road. On investigation the said burden turned Out to be a piece of beef weighing aboyt fifteen pounds. The meat was probably abstracted from somebody’s safe, for which, no doubt, some man would be blamed. The meat was allowed to lie by the side of tlie road, wasting its sweetness on the desert air; the owner;thus,being deprived of His'Sunday dinner and the marauding dbg of- his 'supper. •. .. plum. /[At the Magistrate’s Court, Opunako, on Thursday, Norman Schwartfeger was charged that on June 19, at Patiki Road, Pihama, he stole one fowl, the value of 3s, belonging to >Ve Paku. Defendant pleaded not guilty. We Paku said he saw defendant shoot the fowl. It did not fall into his property when shot. Defendant said he was out shooting, and he saw something bobbing up in the hedge, and he fired at the spot. He saw the fowl dead, tie d : d not touch the fowl, and was not within 6ft. of it at any time. His Worship stated (the “Opunake Times” reports) if We Paku had known the law perhaps he would not have laid the charge; Even if the defendant had deliberately shot the fowl, it would not be theft unless he took it and sold': it, or converted it to his own usp. He was not satisfied that defendant even touched the fowl, and, as- usual, he was entitled to the benefit .of the doubt. It was only right that the fowl should be paid for. The charge was dismissed. At- the meeting of the Moa Road Board on Saturday Mr. Lawrence brought forward the question of the Board manufacturing its own pipes. Xf- thfey could make them at anywhere. near what they cost to buy, arid save the freight, it would be a decided saving, and would keep the mofiey in their own district. If the nia'nufacture was successful, they could supply others. He pointed out that some time ago the Board decided to ascertain the cost of the erecshed near Maketawa. Tlio chairman said that Mr. Orbell had been too busy to go into the matter, but he pointed out that they could not be made as cheap as at Rahotu, where there was plenty of gravel at the Sba beach. Here, sand and gravel were limited, and it would be necessary to crush metal. Mr. Corkill considered , that it was, quite time Something was done. A large quantity of pipes would yet be needed, as culverts required to be replaced, and if, they Could only save one shilling each 'in freight it would be a consideration. The matter was referred to the chairman.