LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 22, 11 September 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dining the past month 1000 dozen ggs were consigned to Wellington by he Fielding Egg Circle.

A “wag” has addressed an advertisement to the Wairarapa “Age” as follows:—“Wanted, board in a privito family for a week or two. Must not bo too near the police station. Apply, Joseph Fawelka.” A novel experiment has recently bean made at the Courthouse of Montreal, Canada. It consisted in the reporting of the evidence at a mock trial hold for the purpose by means of a gramophone. Sir Melbourne Tait, Chief Justice of Quebec Province, acted as Judge, and the services of numerous officials of the Court were requisitioned as witnesses. After a prolonged sitting the gramphone was made to reproduce the proceedings, and a report on the experiment was subsequently drawn up for the consideration of the official authorities.

Some miles of the Wellington streets i are already paved with wood Weeks, I and tiie work is being steadily ox- i tended. Mr Morton, the city engineer, ! talking the other day to an Auckland i newspaper man, said they used jar- | rah blocks, soaked in tar, and set ' in a bed of six inches of concrete, and annually dressed with tar and sand. Such a road should last for thirty years; some wood-paving has been laid for seven and a half years “without shewing any wear at all so far as practical purposes are concerned.” The cost comes to about eighteen shillings par square yard, against twenty-four shillings for Nenchatcl asphalt. The foui miles of street from Newtown to Lambton station cost £75,900. “St. Martin’s-10-Grand,” the magazine of the British postal service, has the following:—After accepting an innocent-looking box addressed to Heidelberg a few days since a lady member of tlie counter staff at Woking was somewhat staggered to find the contents declared as “Ashes after Cremation ; Value, Nil.” , It is interesting to note that the parcel, which weighed 91!) Boz, was duly accepted and despatched at a cost of 2s. A correspondent sends the following inscription, which was observed upon a parcel addressed to Canada:—“This little parcel contains only a little present, viz., a pocket-knife for my son, and a pair of scissors for his wife. If anybody who has to handle it feels inclined to appropriate it, may God give them grace to resist the temptation.”

The scene (says the “Dominion”) was the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington, and the judgment debtor in the box was a contractor who attributed his inability to pay to the fact that a contract had not turned out profitably.: Dr. McArthur, S.M., was on tlie Bench. “They come here,” said his Worship, “ and if they have had a good contract they say nothing about it, and if they have had a bad one they want to got out of paying their debts. I will not have this Court made a sort of infantile Bankruptcy Court.” The debtor complained that the cause of the loss on the contract was someone else’s fault. “It’s always the way with you fellows,” wont on his Worship, “if you make, it’s through your own cleverness; if you lose it’s somebody elso’s fault. You will have to pay the money in fourteen days. 1 am tired of you follows coming here with those yarns. It is ‘Heads I win, tails you lose,’ with you chaps every time.”

At a meeting of tho Hawera Acclimatisation Society on Monday a letter was received from the Whangaroi Acclimatisation Society saying that at a recent, meeting the question of the large increase in pheasants was discussed, and the members of the Council seem to ho of opinion that tho absolute protection of hen pheasants was not altogether in the interests of good sport. It was ventured that tho number of hen birds being consid-

oralily in excess of the cock birds, the tendency was rather disproportionate to the increase of lien birds. The society desired to ascertain from the H:\vera Society whether they would favour an amendment of the Animals Protection Act in the direction of removing the restriction of hen pheasants during the last month of the shooting season. The members did not support the proposal, saying that the suggestion might bo right enough where trie re was plenty of pheasants, but not so in this district, where the birds were not numerous. The meeting also considered that more hen birds were usually to bo seen than cock birds, the latter being more cunning in keeping out of sight. There have been numerous accidents from time to time owing. to horses suddenly becoming restive and unmanageable, says the Dunedin “Star.’ A week or so ago a man in the North Island was kicked in the face and lost tho sight of both eyes, 'flic other day a lady of this city was thrown out of a vehicle in the Leith Valley and sustained such severe contusions that she died. It is timely, therefore, to bring before the notice of the public generally an invention that has been in use for a short time and should be far more generally known. It is the fixing ol the different parts of the harness in the vehicle by slip bolts in such a way that the horse can bo instantly released, so that there need be no accident cither to the persons in the vehicle, to the horse, or t.o the vehicle itself. This has been patented by Mr Morris, of Mornington, and can bo seen on 1 1 is trap. Probably everyone thinks that no accident will come to him, but it may, happen to anyone when least expected.

Though it was a line night, says the Melbourne “Argus,” Ah Choy carried an umbrella along the wharf on August Because it was used on a line night a Customs officer I'Mr M. Macaulay) told Ah Choy to open it. l itis, ii, was discovered, was ditticult to do, hut the eye of the inspector of watchmen (Mr Biggin) had been attracted, and he readily lent assistance. When the umbrella eventually opened it wits discovered that a large sausageskin, partially filled with some suitstance, was tied between the wires, and prevented the covering from opening. ‘ The sausage, which contained about flo/, of opium, was an exhibit at an inquiry conducted by the Side Collector of Customs, who asked Alt,, Choy to explain by what chance t!a s.‘.usage could have become entangled and tied in his umbrella. All Choy offered no explanation. Eventually, however, lie deposited a sum nl money uflicient to cover any penalty which might be imposed by the Minister.

Vo fewer than 000 lambs have been added to one flock at Halcombe, without the loss of a single ewe. The mother of ten children who gave evidence at the Tiniaru Supreme Court, was permitted to sit during the ordeal. His Honour (Mr. Justice Donriston) remarked that a woman who had done so well for her country as to have ten children was deserving of every consideration.

T*’ere is at present on a visit to New Zealand Mrs Glennen, who was the first teacher in Australia to publicly demonstrate the advantages of paperbag cookery. She has taught it for years in the Ladies’ Training College which she founded in Melbourne, and of which she was the principal, and she has also taught it in the College of Domestic Economy. To a young wife who complained that sho did not. marry her husband to become his cook, Mrs Glennen replied: “It is your part of the bargain to help him to build up his career, and this is one way in which you can do so.” At the Training College referred to thoroughly practical education is placed within the reach of women, whether they wish to earn thir living, or whetnr they wish to learn how to manage a household.

American shoe manufacturers recently held their fifth national meeting in Poston, and it was their unanimous opinion that the women of tlio present generation have larger feet than the women of the last. Marvin Merril, of Detrpi, stated plainly that the No. 2 size In women’s shoes, which was so popular twenty years ago, has practically disappeared, and that not one in' twenty retailers now handle this size. “It is true,” stated Mr Merril, “that women ask for No. 2’s occasionally, but this is feminine affectation, to which we yield by selling so-called small 3’s.” * The increasing size of women’s feet was attributed to the increasing tendency of women to work ! and exercise. There is a consensus of opinion that women who wear comfortj able footgear for golf and other sports i find trouble in getting back into tight shoes. The opinion expressed i by the shoemakers’ convention is that | the average size of the shoes which I women wear to-day is from 4 to 5, jas compared with 2to 5 ten years, ago.

A pretty Maori legend, strictly relevant to the discussion in committee on the Daylight Saving Bill, was related to the House of Representativeson Thursday evening by Dr. Rangihiroa. It was told in Maori mythology, he declared, .hat the people were unable to obtain enough sunshine to perforin the d.-uly 'vu-k. To cope with this difficulty, one of the 1 demigods of the Pacific—-a hero after the heart of the member for Dunedin South, mover of the- Till— prpeso led with his followers in his cauoo to the opening from wh. Ti the sun emerged every morning and tied a hoo:-e round him. He waited until the sungod’s neck and shoulders emerged from the aperture, 1 and when his arms and the upper portion of 1 !s body were well within the noose, the sungod was unable to resist, and the demigod proceeded to address him much in the manner that ?1 modern golfer addresses his ball after he has missed it. (Laughter.) He laid before the sun-

god the complaints concerning his quick journeying, and gave him a bit of his mind. ‘ By disabling the sungpd before letting him go he moved very I si >wly across the heavens, thus enabling the people to do their work, and now The member for Dunedin South .proposes to take up the running. The Matau correspondent of tho “Nows” writes as follows;—There has been a meeting called of settlers to petition their county (Clifton) io take over a portion of the Stratford County, in which the main road to the Kiore railway station from the Matau settlement runs. As this road is only used by this settlement they think that the upkeep of it. should be in their hands. It has been blocked several times this year, causing g:eat I inconvenience to us, as the supplies I for the place come that way. 1 be- | lieve the Government intend to help in the matter, and I don’t see why | not, as it is our principal and nearest road (only two others about twelve miles further up) to their railway. There is very little indeed, outward and inward, that does not go by that road. There are no residences on | the Stratford county part of this 1 road, so really the Stratford Council i have little interest in its upkeep. It is to be hoped that something will he done in this matter,as our food supplies and necessaries come from there, also our produce goes to their town for sale. We wait anxiously for the Government to assist. They say they will at all times help to give access to their railways. “Here lies Phil May, did 180-1, aged 38 years.” The traveller wandering leisurely amongst the railed-off mounds ,in K ensal Green Cemetery Eng- ! land (says the Melbourne “Age”) notes this inscription 1 upon a weather-worn wooden ■ slab. “That’s curious,” he says, “hut it cannot he ‘the’ Phil May.” He saunters away and in ten minutes has forgotten the incident. Yet that ne-glected-looking plot contains the ashes of the brilliant caricaturist of former years. This tribute to tho pathetic circumstances surrounding Phil May’s demise was discovered some two years ago by Mr John Connell, of Melbourne, while on a visit to the Old Country. He says it was only with the greatest difficulty, and after interrogating several gardeners, that he was able to discover the grave in a remote portion of the cemetery- His disappointment at what ho found prompted him to visit Mr John Longstaff, the wellknown artist, who had been one of Phil May’s closest friends. Mr Longstaff suggested that a shilling fund should ho raised in Australia to enable Phil May’s many admirers to contribute something to suitably mark the great humorist’s last rest-ing-place. He suggested the name of Mr Bertram Mackonnal in connection with the execution of a fitting memorial.

The “Munich News” has discovered an insurance company whose business deals with insuring married couples against divorce. This is how it is done. The company have agents in all important towns in the United States the cradle of the company—who watch the marriage announcements in the papers. On the return from the honeymoon a gentleman agent, calls on the husband and congratulates him. Then when the opportunity permits ho gets to business. He calls attention to the number of unfortunate marriages that have taken place, and then produces some actuarial statistics. Acturial statistics, according 1.0 the agent of the Marriage Insurance Company, show that the average duration of a happy marriage is about IS months. The young husband, to say the least, has a* quarter of a century before him. Divorce is costly, but the company, for a weekly payment, of about 2s, will take all risks, pay the costs and damages, if any. “What young man,” our Munich contemporary asks, “can resist such an offer?” lie insures. Next comes the wife’s turn. A lady agent calls upon the uifo. The same story is told, and the lady in her turn surrenders, and liefore night husband and wife have each a policy of insurance without further cause for anxiety.

Dancers arc, reminded of the dance to be held this evening under the auspices of the Oddfellows’ Lodge. The ordinary meeting of the Borough Council will be held this evening. By Saturday night’s mail train Mr W. C. Cargill arrived back from a visit to, Auckland. t Mr. J. G. Wilson, at Sandon, in advocating top-dressing, mentioned a paddock which, prior to top-dressing, would not carry ono sheep to three acres, but which after dressing easily carried four to the acre; ; Two first-offending drunkards who were arrested by Constable Mackintosh on Saturday morning were dealt with by Mr. C. D. Sole, J.P., at the Magistrate’s Court this morning. ' Both were convicted and discharged and warned to leave the town during the afternoon. The expenses of the coming general election are estimated at £24,000; £12,000 is set aside for the licensing poll, and £23,000 for. the printing or rolls, including 1 the cost or the compilation of the electoral census. Postage, telegrams, and rent, of pollingboxes absorb £2OOO.