LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 16, 4 September 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In the course of a con/ersation with a Palmerston protista ra, Mr. A. Wood, agricultural chemist, st;>n,gIj recommended the growing ol peas for soil renovation purposes. ' Not only woidd the farmers find it profitable,” said Mr. Wood, “but. the I Mid would be left in good condition, the farmers getting a free supply of nitrogen from tho crop. 1 consider this one of the best means of absorbing nitrogen from the atmosphere.” There is considerable speculation in Waihi in regard to the effect of the now. boundaries on tho next local option poll. Those in favour of restoration contend that the alteration will set in their - interest, whilst No-Li-cense advocates declare that it will bo the moans of closing five more hotels. There is a strong fooling that Waihi’s vote at the next poll will favour restoration, but it is recognised that tho. three-fifths majority is a big hurdle to negotiate. A shooting party in the Waimato (Canterbury) district bagged -‘32 wallabies recently. These marsupials aie now fairly numerous in that district, it is not likely, however, that they will become a pest, as they are easily thinned out with gun and dogs. The fur of those secured by the party referred to was in excellent condition. Opossums arc also said to He making headway in various parts of tho Dominion. The Chief Justice in the Palmerston North Supreme Court on Thursday, in sentencing one Murphy for assault at Mataroa, remarked that it was plain that there was not sufficient control in some of the settlements in the back blocks. If the case under notice was a specimen of what went on, the conditions wore worse than the bushchinking in Rarotonga—indeed, were net to be compared with it. It was extraordinary that liquor could be got so easily in places where No-license was iu vogue. A protest against the liberation of the white owls imported to deal with the small bird pest in Hawke’s Bay is made by a correspondent of the “Hawke’s Bay Herald,” who says:— “Does anyone suppose that tho owls will take the trouble to hunt down thrushes and sparrows while tho fantail and warbler would prove such easy prey? We all know how wary are the English birds, while' the native birds flit about boldly and confidently, expecting no danger and suspecting no enemy. When all the lovely native birds are' extirminated the white owls will begin on the sparrow, but not until then. Which is it to be in Maoriland? Birds of prey or native songsters ?” The bell of the British frigate Latino, which sank off the Dutch coast in 1799, with a cargo of coin and specie valued at £1,200,000, is the lad nows boll at Lloyd’s. Whenc-mr news is received that a ship is over luo, or when definite news comes of the luscof a ship," the bell is rung by tho caller. At its tolling all transactions are suspended until the news it heralds is read. Many attempts, «umo pai tidily successful, have been n ade to re;nvcr the cargo of the Latin ;. About 2100,000 of the sum has been found, the bulk of it in 1800. it was in one if these attempts that the-bell was found. Only a short time ago the wreck was again located, and search for the treasure is now being ma le. At tho annual meeting of the Canterbury Automobile Association a novel suggestion was made by Dr. i’fiacker when speaking on the question of road improvement. Dr. Thacker said that when travelling in America he had seen motor road-rollers in a S 3, and lie suggested that tho incoming committee should consider the idvisahility of purchasing such a roller for use in Canterbury. He said that the roller need not necessarily be kept for the exclusive use of tho Association, but could bo lot out to the various local bodies at a fair rate of hire. In response to a question as to how much such a roller would cost, the. speaker said that ho could not he sure as to price, but thought it would he about £650. He said that he bad sent to America for full particulars, and would lay tho results of his enquiries before the members of the Association. An extraordinary state of affairs, if true, is reported from Paris, whore it is slid by a French writer that a veritable anti-children campaign has l)0en started by owners of tenement -property. They object to letting rooms to families, and in cases where children have been born and have grown up, tho landlords are giving their tenants notice and evicting them if they do not leave when the notice expires. A number of evictions have taken place in tbs congested quarters recently. There is a workmen’s tenants’ union, and when the furniture of a poor family is thrown on the streets officials of the society appear on the scene with a van and take the furniture and the family to the local mayoral offices. Several philanthropists are taking tho matter in hand, and, to meet tho needs of large families, are erecting blocks of tenements. The municipal council, ton, is launching a housing scheme, which will cost several millions. The people at Harwich wore recently hoaxed in an amusing fashion b> four bluejackets belonging to vessels in tho harbour. The four excited interest in tho town one evening (says tho “East Anglian Daily Times”) inweaving on their caps • the device “H.M.S. Airship No. 1.” Many of Luo local people got into conversation with these “airmen,” who told a most •JnuiibK; story. They belonged to tho big airship recently launched at Barrow. thev said, and had flown from Pnrlsmmit.il to fthotlcy. close by Harwich. They wf-re all picked men. and bad to be. teetotallers. No man weighing over 10st 101 b was accepted as one of the crew, because bo would be ton heavy. Their news that the airshin would leave Shotley at six o’clock next morning to fly to Scotland spread through the town. Harwich was early astir the following ■novi-iug. People flocked to tho pier. \!! ves were lupied towards Shotley -training to catch a glimpse of the 'V.mc.ns airship. Six o’clock' came, ter.i -u airship, then seven o'clock—and finally came word from Shotley that airship had arrived there, i lie patient. expectant crowd had been complete ly hoaxed.

The weather for some weeks past now has been exceptionally fine, and old residents arc of opinion that sue lx a tine August has never previously been experienced in Taranaki. Statistics compiled under the direction of President Joseph Smith show that there are now 8228 Mormons in tho United Kingdom, and that 9G3 converts wore made last year. Of tho latter 555 emigrated to Utah. A little-known provision of the law was introduced by Mr. Kettle in connection with come maintenance cases at Auckland recently, and his remarks should give food for thought to those whom tlie cap fits. Ho pointed out that tho Infant Life Protection Act provides that a man who deliberately and consistently neglects to recognise and discharge his responsibilities towards his family is liable to imprisonment for a term of two years. Mr. C. E. Matthews, who appeared for the complainant in the case, acts also for the Society for the Protection of Women and Children. Mr. Kettle gave-hnn..a reference to a recent impoi tant decision in connection with the parallel English Act, and recommended him to commend tho section to the society. The latest local manifestation of the “smartness” of seentific salesmanship comes from the schools, sax 3 the Auckland “Star. ‘ This week a couple of men worked off a number of wonder postcards on as many pupils of tho Berosford Street School, by methods which are not in accord witn New Zealand sentiment. ■ They prepared the way by distributing amongst the children circulars, which suggested that next day the scholars could get from the men at the school gate a postcard for sixpence, which would take their photographs. Next day the men at the gate were besieged by children with sixpences, and Landed over sealed envelopes, giving instructions that these must he opened only in a dark place, otherwise the sensitive chemicals in the packet would bo spoiled. The opening of the packets revealed a postcard with a false back, and a green smear in an opening. When, according to printed instructions, tho possessor breathed on tho smudge, and pulled a little tape, there appeared a likeness of a grinning ape, and below it the words, “Brother, you surely must have pulled the wrong string.” Of course, the inquisitive youngster immediately discovered a dark place in which to open the packet before the men had time to. leave, and it was a wailing crowd of disappointed children that again thronged round the salesmen. But the money was not returned. . A fierce fight, in which both teams and the spectators were involved, marred the conclusion of the football match between the Darlinghurst and Waratah teams, played on the Hampden Park Oval, Sydney, on Saturday afternoon, August 19th. Nearing tho conclusion of the game, the referee awarded the Darlinghurst team a try, notwithstanding the fact that the ball had been forced previously. This put Darlinghurst in the lead by 5 to 4. The opposing team then inarched off the ground, followed by the victorious Darlinghurst representatives. As tho two teams left the ground the spectators surged round them. Party spirit was running high, and it was Jut a matter of a few moments before high words were being exchanged. Words led to blows, and in less time than it takes to tell a free fight had started, in .which fists, sticks, umbrellas, and ■ feet all played their respective parts. Fast and furious was the fighting, the couple of police on the ground made valiant attempts to check the disturbance, but amongst that crowd their efforts were of no avail, and they were tossed hither and thither like corks. As time progressed, the ardour of the combatants slackened, bleeding noses and blackened eyes having a distinctly disheartening effect on the men’s pug- ; nacity. In ones and twos they slunk away, tenderly nursing their hurts. ; The police who attempted to check the tumult bore marks of the encounter, but refrained from making arrests. Wellington has just been visited, savs tho “Dominion,” by Mr. Louis Jackson, Industrial Commissioner for the Erie Railway Company of the : United States. He at first intended to make a week’s tour of the North Is- ’ land, but was persuaded by a friend that now he had come to New Zealand he ought to visit the South Island as well. So he rushed away from Wellington hy the ferry boat, caught the express, and arrived at Dunedin at 4 p.m. Although the shades of evening were stealing over the city, Mr. Jackson approached a public chauffeur and asked how much he would charge to run him round the city and show him the sights. “Shillin'o- a mile,” replied the chauffeur. “All right,' I’ll have 20s worth.” And, seating himself hy the driver, ho was taken round' the' Burns Statue, tho ’ Water of Leith, and the Botanical i Gardens. The next morning the quickwork traveller caught the first express for Christchurch. On arriving there lie was informed that there was a seventeen-minutes’ wait before the train went on to Lyttelton to connect with the steamer for Wellington. He dashed out on to the platform as soon as the train pulled up, and hailed a taxi-cab. “What can you do the town in and he hack again?” he asked. “About nine minutes.” ■ “Right; off you go!” Away they went —circled the Square, took - stock oiqtho Cathedral, saw a man preaching, caught a glance at tho river, hoard : the clock tower clock chime, and within ten minutes were hack at tLe station. He gave half a- day to Wellington—because the express did not leave sooner—and reckons on doing the whole of the North Island inffour days. “I was seven whole days in Sydney—a long spell—am going to write a hook about New Zealand when I get back—interesting place.” Magistrate McGuire, of Brooklyn, in settling a family dispute recently, expressed the opinion that a mother-in-law’s visit should never exceed ten days; that, lie thought, humanly speaking, was the limit of human, endurance, especially when, as in the case before him, the mother-in-law insisted ou assuming the management of her daughter-in-law’s household, not allowing the younger woman oven to feed and dress her own baby. Air. McGuire suggested that the harmony , of many homos would lie promoted if raotliers-iu-law, instead of paying money for railway fares, bought a typewriter and restricted their social intercourse largely to correspondence. Incidentally, Mr.'McGuire protested against a city magistrate being plagued with the adjustment of family disputes, and said that henceforth ho would refuse to adjudicate, and refer tho parties to the Court of Domestic Relations. Tho latter tribunal, like the Children’s Court in New York, has achieved wonderful success in solving problems of a sociological order which had hitherto scorned beyond solution. A Judge sits daily in the Domestic Relations Court, and investigates all sorts of family squabbles which would otherwise find their way into (Tim nal and Divorce Courts—advising here, reproving there, reconciling young husbands and wives, admonishing mo-thors-in-law, and generally earning tho £ISOO yearly salary allowed by the municipality. New York’s population is largely foreign, and most of the I suitors in the Domestic Relations i Court are either Gormans, Jews, Italians, or Russians.

Tho monthly meeting of the Toko Farmers’ Union will be held this evening. Tho ordinary meeting of the Hospital Board will be held to-morrow morning. Mr. Newton King has received the following cable from his Sydney agents, re hides*—“Easier.” About forty of the Boy Scouts attended church parade at Holy Trinity Church yesterday. V Tho many friends of Mr. P. F. j Ralfo will bo pleased to hoar that lit W is now able to bo about again. Wo understand that Mr. Sidney Ward has disposed of his well-knowi ironmongery ; business in Broadway, Stratford, to an outside firm. At the Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Mr. C. D. Sole, J.P., a first-offending drunkard, who did not appear, was fined 10s, tho amount of las bail. Tamu, who was expected to play for , Taranaki against Canterbury ” and West Coast, lias notified that he will not be able to make the trip owing to tho serious illness of his'wife. There is said to be a plethora of old jootatoos in the Dominion, and, in the South Island particular!?, largo stocks ■Are still held, there being a cry little prospect of values hardening this season. On Saturday the local riflle-shooting season was opened, a number of members proceeding to the range, where some excellent totals were put up. The Club’s programme for the season will be commenced at an early date. Messrs Kemp and Sawle, who recently sold their business in Stratford, will leave in a short time for the Bay of. Plenty district, where they intend to re-enter the land agency business. ‘ Tho dissatisfied workmen at the Whangamomona tunnel who ceased workmen Wednesday, to emphasise a demand for higher wages, resumed at midnight * last night, pending consideration of theii’ demands by the authorities. There were . about a dozen visitors to the Stratford Mountain House yesterday. The track is in fair order, but would not be too comfortable for driving over. It is surprisingly dry, and tiio wet points coukt easily-.be put in order. A meeting was held at Eltham on Saturday tor the purpose of forming a branch of the Gin Peace Scouts. Mrs Birss, secretary of the Stratford troop and district officer for Taranaki, was present for the purpose of swearing-in the girls. Posting of Territorials to the various units has been completed in the Stratford and Hawera areas. The Now Plymouth and Waimarino areas should be finished in a few days, and it is expected that a start will be made with training at an early date. The matter of teaching of native children in the Pinaroa district by Mormon elders, thus depriving the State school of some of its pupils, again cropped up at the meeting of the Wellington Education Board on Tuesday. Mr. Vile stated that the matter was a serious one for the Board. The secretary pointed out that ji similar state of things existed at Pdrirua. It was decided to ascertain if the required accommodation hnd education is being provided by the Mormons.—“ Age.” “Arrangements are already, and have been for some years, in existence whereby tho Government of New Zealand; in common with the Governments of certain other British possessions, is empowered to nominate a limited number of cadets for entry at the Royal Naval College at Osborne, through which all naval commissioned officers must first pass,” said the Hon G. FowldspTn reply to a question in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. “The Admiralty arrangements provide for two nominations annually for New Zealand candidates who satisfy the conditions, and hitherto this number has been sufficient to meet the demand. Copies of the regulations applicable may he obtained from the Education Department, winch lias charge of tho matter. It is estimated that for a colonial candidate the total cost of the whole course of training—at Osborne two years, at Dartmouth; two years, on the training cruiser eight months—together with any further allowances necessary before the rank of acting sublieutenant is reached, would approximately amount to not less than £BOO. Scholarships of this value the Government is not at present prepared to offer.”

The Parliamentary correspondent of { the Palmerston “Standard” writes as follows:—Yesterday we got news of fhe retirement of Sir William Steward, the Father of the House; who for many years has' - represented Waitaki in the House of Representatives. Sir William, to use his own woids, does not want to fight any more elect-on s, and he is not so young as lo was. He will take up his residence in Johnsonville, a suburb of Wellington, and the probabilities are that he will be given a seat in the Legislative Council! Sir William Steward first entered the House in 1870, as member for Waitaki. Five years later he was defeated, but he was successful again in the general election-of 1881, and ho von the Waitaki seat at ten sm ccsbive general elections, so that altogether ho has a score of five years in Parliament during his first innings and thirty years -in his second innings. During alb that time he only missed one session, the short “Dreadnought session,” owing to the breakdown of a steamer. - Sir William has brought forward and carried more Bills than any private member in the \-w Zeal land Legislature. His persistency in Vthis matter called forth those cheer verses from the pen of the Hon. William Pember Reeves, “The Man with a Bill.” Sir William (then Major Steward) was elected Speaker in 1891, and held the office until 1893. He was subsequently knighted in • msj juoncc of his political services and of Lis holding this position.