LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 26, 15 September 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A meeting of tho general committee of tho A. and P. Association will be held in the Borough Council chamber at 1.30 o’clock to-morrow afternoon. Mr J. M'Gregor, formerly wool buyer for the Hawke’s Bay Woollen Company and instructor to tho Wanganui and Taranaki Education Boards, has boon appointed instructor in wool classes organised by the Southhind Education Board. The Telegraph Department, says the “New Zealand Herald,” has in view a notable convenience which it is intended to add at railway stations where there are no telegraph offices. At many such stations the trains stop quite long enough to write a telegram, but not long enough to take it to the office. Arrangements are being made with the Railway Department to place suitable desks at these stations, so that telegrams can bo conveniently written, and a messenger will he in attendance to carry the forms to tho post office.

Magpies iiro stated to be breeding rapidly in the upper districts of the Ashburton County, and are to be seen in large numbers following the' ploughs and feeding voraciously on the grubs and other insects. A farmer of that district stated that an endeavour should bo made to get the magpies acclimatised all over the county, as he is of opinion that they would be a great factor in reducing the grub pest. So far, the birds have not established themselves in the lower districts.

There is a popular belief that the mere possession of the key of a rented building is equivalent to occupation as far as liability for rent is concerned. The Stipendiary Magistrate stated at Featherbton the other day that a landlord was not entitled to charge rent to a tenant who had vacated the premises even if such person bad retained the key. The only ground of action against the retiring tenant would be for the value of the key or for damage caused by the detaining of it.

A number of expert witnesses examined by the Now South Wales Food Commision have declared that the fish supply of tiie metropolis can never be.come satisfactory until the fishermen are compelled to send their catches to the market already cleaned. Whether or not it is due to the emphasis thus given to the need for this reform we do not know, but the Victorian authorities are making a move in the direction of enforcing it. The “Ago ' says:—With regard to the contemplated reforms in the marketing of fish, the Minister for Agriculture y )u, directs the operations of the inspectors of fisheries and game, was mio.mcd yesterday that the fisher nan ah ng the coast are alarmed at the prospect of a regulation being framed compelling them to clean their fish before dispatching it to market. Tins method of dealing with fish is recommended by Mr. Danncvig, the Commonwealth expert, on the ground that it greatly improves the keeping finality of the fish. While this fact.

seems to bo admitted by the State authorities, the catchers fear that if el'aning wove made compulsory the duty would prove an intolerable burden. Mr. Graham will on Kriday next hear the yb'ws of the (ishernnn of Qiiponscliff, Portland, Port Fairy, and. possibly other fishing grounds. Whilst the Minister dors not wish to inflict any hardship on the fisherman ho desires to do something to improv"' the conditions as to the marketing n( fish—to give the public a better fish suppiv, whilst at the same time ensuring for the fisherman a better return for their labour than they receive at present.”

Schedules for the Hawcra A. and P. ■bow can be obtained from the'-office of Messrs. C. and E. Jackson. A highly successful skating carnid was hold at the Town Hall last ight. A full report of the proccedgs will appear in our next issue. A treat is iu store for lovers of uisic at St. Andrew’s Hall to-night-hiss McNcish, organiser of the \Voaon’s Christian Temperance Union, xossosscs a well-trained, expressive voice, and will contribute two solos awards the evening’s enjoyment, Judgment by default was given in ".lie following cases at the Magistrate’s Court this morning:—McMillan, and Fredric v. S. T. Evait, 8s 6d, ;osts os; 11. Handley v. S. T. Evatt, hi os, costs os; James Bain v. Herman Schultz, £27 Is 9d, costs £2 14s; Smart Bros. v. J. Haggio, £3, costs LOs; F. Plurntree v. T. Coffey, £2B Lis, costs £2 17s. Mr. IV. E. Jones, who for the past eight years has been in the employ of Messrs Malone, Anderson, and Johndone, solicitors. New Plymouth, sevrs his connection with that firm at die end of the month to take up a position with Messrs Russell and Andiony, solicitors, Christchurch (says the “Herald”). Mr Jones leaves for Christchurch about 3rd proximo. His Lordship, the Bishop of Auckland, held a Confirmation Service at Holy Trinity, Stratford, last evening, sixty candidates presenting them's; Ives. Bishop Crossley delivered an .loquent and suitable address. Today His Lordship left for Purangi, whore he will conduct Confirmation Service, and to-morrow he will go on to Waitara. Tho other evening an unknown person knocked at the door of Mr. David Morgan’s house at Te Aroha, Mr, Morgan’s wife answered the summons, when a bundle was suddenly thrust into her arms, and tho visitor immediately vanished. The bundle, on examination, revealed an infant recently born, with a pound note attached to its clothing. The police were informed, and detectives set to work, with the result that a woman hailing from Wanganui was arrested on suspicion of child desertion. v The friends of Messrs. J. B. and J. Murray, bricklayers and contractors, of Stratford, will regret to learn of the death of their father, Mr. T. Murray, who passed away at Wanganui a 9.30 o’clock last night. Owing to having received word of their father’s serious illness the Messrs. Murray left for Wanganui last Wednesday, and consequently clients will understand that as a result their business has become somewhat disorganised in tho meantime. Messrs. Murray Bros, hope to resume business on Monday next. ! ■ Tho Wanganui Borough Council,.at its last meeting,’ received a letter from the Rangiora Borough Council stating that the latter had been supplied with evidence of very objectionable subjects shown at moving picture shows. It was asked that tho local Council co-operate in a request to the Government: to take steps to check tho evil. Councillors boro testimony to the fact that the Wanganui picture shows wore free from the evil complained of, and, evidently considering it a matter for each individual Council to deal with in its own boundaries, no action was taken, the .letter being merely “received.” ■

The oratorical efforts of the Councillors of Grey Lynn appear to have considerable attraction for the ratepayers, says the Auckland “Star.” At the' Council’s last meeting feo many were present that a form had to be brought into the room to supplement tho jpating accommodation provided round the walls. One visitor was heard to ask as soon as he entered the room for a seat to be reserved for a chum who would be a little late. The Mayor dryly remarked that as there was such a good audience he thought it just as well to draw attention to the fact that there was lying on the table a subscription list for a very deserving object.

The “-Windsor” Magazine for September (to hand from Mr H. J. Hopkins) is a splendidly varied and important holiday number, containing iiudyard Kipling’s new story, “The Honours of War,” which is published complete in tho one issue. This will be, found to be! a very characteristic piece of work which will more than satisfy the most enthusiastic devotees of the short stories which first woij fame for their author; it is delightfully illustrated by L. Raven-Hill. Other stories complete in the number include contributions by H. B. Marriott Watson, G. B. Lancaster, Fred M. White, and Keble Howard, in addition to the latest adventure of Ro-bert-Barr’s popular “Lord Stranleigh, Philanthropist.” That the Rugby Union have some loyal supporters who show their appreciation of the Union’s efforts to keep the game of Rugby football to the fore in Taranaki is shown by the following:—Some time ago Mr. F. J. Mackay voluntarily donated the sum of LI to he used either for tho funds of the Union or for the Bayly. Memorial. The subscription was devoted to tho memorial. Yesterday Mr. C. F. Young and Mr. Chas. Bayly voluntarily presented the Union with sums of £2 2s and £T respectively as a donation to the funds. The action of these- three gentlemen is much appreciated by the Rugby officials, and they wish to publicly thank the donors for their kindness, and the practical interest shown in the work of the Rugby Union. E. Feltham pleaded guilty at the Magistrate’s Court this morning to having obstructed Cloton Road by tethering a horse. Mr. Fookes, who appeared for the Borough Council, said patrons of Mr King’s saleyards wore in the habit of tethering their horses in the street while they were on business pi the yards. This tethering had been a custom for years, but it was a nuisance to residents in the locality and the Council desired lo stop it. At the instance of tho Council the auctioneer bad spoken to ins clients on the question, advising them to get somewhere else to tether their horses, hut this had been disregarded and it was found advisable to prosecute. A heavy penalty was not asked for, the Borough merely desiring to bring the matter under the norice of patrons of the yards. The S.M. convicted defendant, hut inflicted no penalty. 1). Sullivan was similarly dealt with on a similar charge.