LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 48, 11 October 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At the Foresters’ Hall this evening a lecture entitled “India as 1

Found ft,” illustrated by lantern slides, will be delivered by Miss C. W. Christie, who has recently spent some time in India. Professor Mills, of the Milwaukee Puiversity, who is to lecture at the Sown Hall to-night, arrived by last night’s mail train. Tie has deliver'd a large immher of addresses in the Dominion reeentlv, and has every-

where been recognised as an authority on economies, so that those attending tiie lecture this evening can rely on hearing something out of the erdinarv.

Tito übiquitous small hoy is us liurcl to kill ;is the proverbial cat, says tin l “Lyttelton Times.” At New Hrigtou on Monday one of the tribe, while riding bis bicycle nnohservainly, run .straight into ;i motor-car winch was (ravelling at a leisurely pace clown the main street. The youth was thrown right through the glass shield into the lap of the astonished driver, whose hand was so badly cut; by the shattered glass that lie had to seek surgical aid. The small I toy, however, bundled out of the car without a scratch, and was left lamenting the buckling of his bicvclcds front wheel.

Tl ic clcutli is reported of lift's John Diitln’e, of Wellington. _ Mr DuDne is absent from the Dominion, having left some time a <4o on a visit to the Old Country with one of Lis sons.

The committee of the Rugby Union held its Intel meeting for the season last night. The secretary presented a statement of finances, which showed that the Union would finish the season with a debit, balance ol from £2O to £3O.

On Victoria' Park, to-morrow afternoon, a football match will he played between a team from Sir Mewton King’s staff and a combined team from the Railway and Post Office. The match will start at 3.30. A collection at the gate will ho taken in aid of the local hospital. Prior to the match there will be a parade through the town.

All the subscription lists in connection with the Taylor Memorial Fund have now been returned to the treasurer (Mr P. Skoglund) and the money collected has been forwarded to Christchurch. A total of £25 12s Gd was collected, of which 12s 6d was spent in expenses. Lists were handed in by the following:—Mr J. Masters £G 19s Gd, Mr Rawlos £5 17s, Railway Works £2 ISs Gd, Mr 11. Hogg £2 9s, Mr T. 1). Sullivan £2, Railway Gravel Pit £1 16s Gd, Mr J. McAllister £1 10s, Mr E. G. Foster 17s Gd, Mr F. Keightly 12s, Mrs H. Mackay 10s, Mr G. Smith 2s Gd.

Mr James Thomson apparently had some question to ask Mr McCluggage last night: “1 would like,” he commenced, “to ask our representative—” The audience instantly noticed Mr Thomson’s mistake, and he had to wait for a time until the audience had had a good laugh, not unmixed with applause by those who regarded the remark as prophetic. When the laughter subsided, Mr Thomson went on: “Are you in favour of a tax on ” But he was not very quick in stating what ho wanted a tax on, and a lady tried to help him by saying “Old bachelors.’' This further amused those present and finally Mr Thomson _ sat down without flushing his question, the merriment being too hilarous to allow him to proceed.

The big Friinley orchards are a glorious sight just m w, and certainly worth going rjiiifce a mug distance to see. Every tree is in full bloom, and whilst, the delicate pink of the peach predominates, there is still a sufficient sprinkling of the whitish blossoms of pears, apples, and plums, to prevent the slightest suspicion of monotony. Last year, it will be remembered, the fruit crops were completely destroyed by the frost. It would appear, from the condition of the trees this year, that they have considerably benefited by the enforced rest, and that crops will ho enormous. Vegetables for canning are largely grown at Friinley, over forty acres being put down in green peas alone. From appearances, the Friinley Canning Factory is going to have a busy time during the coming season. ■

During 1910, ■ 103 persons wore placed on probation in New Zealand. Of these, 24 have so far satisfactorily carried out the terms of their licenses and been discharged : 24 have boon re-arrested. 9 absconded, 3 were granted permission to leave the Dominion. and 68 still remain under the supervision of the probation officers.Of the 2301 persons placed on 'orobntion since the passing of the FirstOffenders Probation Act, 1836, 1930 have been discharged after proper]v carrying nut the conditions of their licenses, 141 have been re-arrested and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, 57 absconded, 5 worn permitted to leave the Dominion. 1

committed suicide, 5 died, and ID still remain under the supervision o tho probation officers.

The Auckland branch of Messrs. P. Hayinan and Co. last week had evidence that cargo pillaging is rot confined to the wharves and the men who work thereon, says the “Star.” The firm received, among other goods from the s.s. Kia Ora, a case of accordeons, shipped in London. The case externally looked perfectly sound. Inside it contained three tiers of the instruments in cardboard cases, and the top and middle rows were all right and in good order. But the bottom tier gave ample evidence of broaching. Pour of the cardboard boxes contained no accordeons. Two of them were empty and torn, a third contained several small pieces of coal, and the fourth held a big block of coal. It is evident from the outside apncarance of the covering case that the pilfering was done in a leisurely and systematic manner. The top of the case must have been .carefully removed, the two layers of accordeons taken out, and a selection made from the bottom lot.

In view of the proposed Congress of tiic Universities of the Empire, to be held next July, a preliminary conference of representatives of Australasian universities was held last week at the University of Sydney. Sir Normand MacLaurin, Chancellor, presided, and, besides the vice-chancellor and the deans of the four faculties, there were present representatives from the Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Tasmanian Universities, and an informal represotative from New Zealand. Several suggestions wore agreed to as desirable for consideration by the Empire conference. Among them was a proposal that examinations of all British Universities should bo equal, so that students could go from oiic to another without interference with their work; that ali universities should do their own examining; that the entrance examination should be the same ; and that the examinations ;of pupils leaving public schools prior to taking up university studies should be uniform. It was also suggested that a conference of Australian universities should be bold every three years.

A Bill to regulate the packing and sale of fruit and vegetables hap been introduced in the Legislative Assembly of Victoria. Under the proposed new law no person may sell any-fruit or vegetable unless the outer layer or shown surface is a true indication of the quality of the whole. The fruit or vegetable not exposed to the eye of the purchaser must not contain more earthv matter, stones,

sand or gravel than is soon on the surface. Offenders against this clause are punishable in the first instance by a line not• exceeding Co, but for subsequent offences the line shall he not less than Cl, and may he anything up to CIO. Full powers of examination are bestowed on inspectors, who may give sellers directions for the observance of the Act. For disobedience of such directions a penalty up to CIO may lie imposed. Burden of proof that the Act lias been complied with is thrown on the defender t. Refusal to give information in answer to any reasonable enquiry m ido by an inspector will bo an offence under the Act. The measure, as drafted, says the “Melbourne Ago,” scarcely seems to outwit retailers, who expose their best Iruit apart from that which they are willing to sell. In that, case ’lie goads displayed would not lie She “outer layer or shown surface” of the fruit handed to the purchaser.

The monthly meeting of the St 1 afford Countv Council is to bo liclcl next Wednesday. A special meeting to institute*a special order denning tho Malqui Valley Drainage District will also be held.

One charge of false pretences and an information for breach of the 801ougli by-laws will bo heard at the silling of tho Magistrate’s Court on B 11clay. Sixteen civil actions (one ot which will ho defended), and thi oo judgment summonses arc set down for hearing ,and an application for leave to defend) held over from last sitting, will he gene into.