LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 2, 12 December 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Wesley choir is .preparing a choice musical programme for the Xmas concert next Friday evening. The Stratford Orchestra is contributing items, Several local soloists will assist towards an enjoyable evening. An amusing episode occurred a day or two ago at a railway station not a hundred miles from Patea, says the “Patea Press.” A well-known business man eager 'to obtain the latest from the seat of waf'ra'n'up the platform and called out to the newspaper boy for a copy of the “Dominion/’ Some Liberal, friends standing by immediately began to chaff him, r ask-, ing him why he did not buy a Government paper. Quick as” thought came the reply, “Why, it is the Government paper that I am,asking for.” Wo -shall see!

At last night’s meeting of the Stratford Borough Council Sergeant McNecly wrote acknowledging receipt of a cheque for £lO, being amount of reward offered' by the Council for information loading to the conviction of persons doing damage in the Kopuatama Cemetery. “In reply thereto,” lie wrote, “I beg to inform you that the Commissioner of Police had approved of Constable Mackintosh retaining the reward, and lie had therefore handed him the cheque for which please find receipt on behalf of Constable Mackintosh.” He begged to thank tlie Council for their generosity in the matter. The letter was received.

t An American girl, Miss Margaret Hogan—Mind from the age of live—has lately won academic honours, which would bo a credit to any student. During her training she had to depend largely on the services of a reader, but she also had a special instrument for taking notes', and her examination papers were done on a “blind” typewriter. Besides that, many text-books are now available in raised type, and she was able to study these for herself. But it was a great surprise to her examiners when she gained 100 per cent of marks in a written paper of geometry, all the demonstrations being done mentally. Two great Durbars have already been held at Delhi since India became a Dominion of the Crown, but neither was graced by the actual presence of the Sovereign. Like that announced for 1912, both were held on New Year’s Day. The first was in 18/7, when Queen Victoria, who had been proclaimed Empress of India in London on the previous Ist of May, was again proclaimed at Delhi with groat magnificence by Lord Lytton, the Viceroy. The second was the groat Coronation Durbar of 1903,. held in Lord Curzon’s Viceroyalty and attended by the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, at which King Edward, the first British Sovereign to ascend the Throne as King-Emperor, was proclaimed with even greater magnificence upon the self-same spot as Queen Victoria twenty-six years before.

As the result of an experiment, a Kaikoura settler lias been able to produce a potato which gives promise of being impervious to disease. Two distinct kinds of tubers were crossed —a Maori and a well-known English —and the hybrid is somewhat peculiar, being in some tubers round (the shape of the Maori), and in others oblong, similar to the English variety. The colours of both, however, appear in the hybrid; it is white, with pink or red spots. It is ten years since the cross was effected, and since then the now potato has been subjected to the severest tests without injury yet, states the “Kaikoura Star.” In one instance several sets were placed in a box, and covered by Up-to-Date tubers in the worst stages of blight, yet the new kind escaped. They have also been planted side by side with blighted sets of other species, but were not injured, even in the haulms. This year they were planted with blighted Up-to-Dato toilers scattered among them here and there, but so far they seem all right. They are in full bloom, and growing vigorously, so the result will be awaited with 'interest. A few years ago some of the seed was tried in Blenheim and some at Dublin (Ireland), and were all right, though crops alongside were completely swept off by blight. The Government has had the potatoes examined on five_ different occasions by inspectors, and is now negotiating for the present crop—or what of it the settler will sell—in order that trials may be made next season in other parts of the Dominion.

The question of the use of pearillcs by irresponsible persons in the Borough was brought up by Cr. Healy at the Borough Council’s meeting last night, who said on Sunday a person had narrowly escaped being shot by a stray bullet. He moved tiiat the attention of the police be drawn to the matter, and this was carried unanimously.

Industry, close attention to business, frugality and absteminousness no doubt go far in making for success in any walk in Iji'e, but there are some factors often overlooked which are

absolutely requisite if a dealer proposes to keep iiis head above water, says the “Auckland Herald.” On Monday, in the Supreme Court, a young man who had made a bold struggle to successfully carry on a grocry in a neighbourhood where apparently no such store was required, Asas chcarged with having epmmittecr a breach of the Bankruptcy Act. During the case Mr E, Gerard, who for a considerable time was official assignee in bankruptcy in Auckland, gave some interesting details as to the possibility of money-making by grocers in this part of the world. He said that in this particular case the gross profit made in the business was 10.96 per cent, and that amount was not sutßci'ent to cover the costs and expenses incidental to the successful conduct of such a store. Mr Gerard added that such a business could not be successful unless the gross profits on the turnover were 17} per cent at the very least.

A letter was received at last night’s meeting cf the Borough Council from Mr. E. Jackson, who wrote acknowledging receipt of a letter notifying hiiri that water would be laid on to his section on Pembroke Road, rate to be charged £1 per annum. He said he was quite willing to pay this amount if the Council would kindly explain to him how it was that Mr. Masters, who had a property opposite his, did not pay any rate at all. “On inspecting the rate book,” he said, “I find that it states there is no water laid on to Mr. Masters’ property. This is incorrect, as I have personally inspected the property, and find that the water is on to the washhouse as well as the dwellinghouse. Further, that the town water is laid on to the house occupied by Mr. Everiss, and that no water rate is charged to the owner of the property.” He concluded by hoping that the Council would look into the matter and see that everybody was treated alike. The Mayor said he would give the writer credit for more sense. He was not responsible for an error in the books. It was not his fault that the bill had not been sent to'him. It was decided, amid general laughter, that Mr. Jackson be charged the same as Mr. Masters and Mr. Everiss.

On Saturday evening last (writes a correspondent), the residents of Douglas and surrounding district tendered a farewell to Mr. G. Yule, who is leaving the district, having disposed of his livery and bait stables to Mrl F. Webb, who for some time past has carried on the business of general carrier at Douglas, and will now run both businesses conjointly. The entertainment was in the form of, a smoke concert. Mr. E. 1 J. Graham,was voted to the chair. After' the usual toast to the King, songs and recitations were given by several of ; those present, Messrs. Dempsey, 1 Bredow, vVilmshurst, Wehb, Cuff, and -Yetton receiving frequent en’cbres 1 . On behalf of the residents of the 1 district; the Chairman presented Mr. Yule with a case of silver-mounted pipes, as a slight token of the esteem in which he was held. Mr; 'Yule suitably responded, in a few well chosen words. Pic said that he had many parts of the Dominion to visit in the near future, but should at all times look forward with pleasure to once more coming to Douglas to see all the kind friends he was leaving there. A most pleasant evening was brought to a ; close by all present singing “Auld Lang Svnc.” The proper name of “La Gioconda,” also called “Mona Lisa,” is. the portrait of Madonna Lisa Del Gioconda. It is one of the world's famous paintings and is held priceless. It is the most celebrated female portrait in the world. The striking characteristic is the sphinx-like smile. Da Vinci’s model was the wife of Francesco Del Gioconda, a Florentine. According to Vasari, “Mona Lisa” was exceedingly beautiful, and while Leonardo was painting her portrait, he took the precaution of keeping someone constantly near her to sing or play an instrument, or to jest and otherwise amuse her, to the end that she might continue cheerful, and so that her face might not exhibit the melancholy expression often imparted by painters to the likenesses they bake. In this portrait of Leonardo’s, on the contrary, there is so pleasing •in expression, and a smile so sweet, that while looking at it one thinks it rather divine than human, and it has been esteemed a wonderful work, since life itself could exhibit no other appearance. Leonardo is said to have worked on the picture for four years (1500-1504). The painting was bought by Francis I. of France.

At Montalto Station during Tuesday night’s storm (says the “Ashburton Mail”) the men employed there received the fright of their lives. They were asleep in a detached whare close by which was another whare containing the station stores, the latter construction being in proximity to a wire fence. The lightning evidently struck the wire fence, which it ran along till it came to a standard directly opposite the whare containing the stores, which it ran down and then hit the whare, shattering the window. The lightning next struck a pine box containing a quantity of bread. The former was reduced to matchwood, while the latter was unharmed. The electric current next found its way. to a shelf on which were a number of cooking utensils, and parsing along the row took the handles' off every one, peculiarly enough, without apparently otherwise disturbing them, as they were all in position when the men entered the hut. From there the lightning passed up to the roof, part of which was rent off, the rending being accompanied by a terrific explosion, which brought the men from their beds in the next whare in double quick time. However, no serious damage was done, and the men retired again none the worse executing for the fright they had received.

It is seldom that many days elapse in the United States without the embers of racial strife, which is always existing between whites and blacks, bursting into flames. In the new State of Okalahoma outrages have*been particularly numerous for some years, while Tennessee has also a very red record. Early last month at Coweta, Oklahoma, a white girl was pushed off the pavement by a coloured man, whereupon her white escort pummelled the negro. This resulted in revolvers being drawn, and two white men, one the City Attorney, were killed by a negro who was promptly hanged to a tree. A general fight followed, two negroes being shot. The State militia had eventually to bo called out, and martial law was proclaimed until both sides calmed down.

The secretary of the Stratford A. and P. Association advertises that he will be pleased to receive all moneys donated to the special prize fund. Yesterday the Town Clerk issued permits to a builder for the erection of buildings which will cost £3634. The buildings in question comprised five dwellings, and'the isolation ward at the Hospital.

The. Borough Council offices will be closed for a fortnight from December 23rd. The Borough Council last night left the matter of the workmen's holidays in the hands of the foreman.

. On the motion of Messrs Whittle and Avery, at the meeting of the North Taranaki Cricket Association last night, the secretary was instructed to write and inform the South Taranaki Association that a match would be arranged for January 1 and 2.

The dog taxes were fixed by the Borough Council last night the same as last year—greyhounds ten shillings, ordinary dogs five shillings, and sheep dogs two shilling's and sixpence per annum. Two tenders for collars were received, and it was decided to accept the lower tender—Mr. H. Wilson’s, at 6fd; Having worn down all scepticism and opposition to its use, the milking machine lias now found its way into almost every milking shed in this distinct (says the “FeUding Star”), and the story that it injured the cows, or that the milk flow was interfered with, is no longer heard in the land. On one large farm close to the borough the owner has three sets of machines at work milking over one hundred cows. Nothing but praise is heard of the machines, from the point of view of time-savers and the general cleanliness of the handling of the milk.

The “Dunedin Star” refers to the elections as follows:—. . We believe, then, that the Government will have a majority in the new Parliament ; but it will be small—perhaps only just a ‘working’ majority—and there will be some lively times, perhaps, followed by important re-ad-justments.” The Nelson “Colonist” says:—“ln view of the Opposition’s buoyant hopes of converting a large section of the Dominion to Conservative views,,the results of yesterday’s polls, as far as we are at present able to arrive at definite, conclusions, must be regarded as a Liberal victory.”

Mr. H. Wilson waited on the Borough Council last night with regard to alterations he had made on his premises in Broadway South. He said that he wanted to improve his property, and was under the impression _ the work done was simply a repair. He did not think it was necessary to obtain permission from the Council. He had made a mistake. He wanted permission to carry on the Work. It was only temporary, and if his neighbour would join with h : ra when he builds he would put up a brick wall. , Or. King moved that the permit be granted, provided the alteration 1 is made in iron. Cr. MoriSoh seconded the motion, which was carried. Cr. Healy moved, and it was carried,' that instruction be given' to the Building Inspector to, take action hgainst any person, erecting a building without first obtaining a permit., . : ~jLt isi saidi that out of evil * cometK gC>qd, . I rTbat;is -not always < truei But the, strike mania which has seized hold of,a portion of the male population of Dubhn| ,seems to ;ha.vc done some good at any rate amongst the women. As ds generally, known, the city of Liffey has been suffering from a shortage of, bread amongst other -thingO owing to the strike amongst bakers. This has directly resulted in the creation of a new industry, or, rather, the revival of an old one among the controllers.; of; the family’s commissariat department, ; and home-baking' ’> is becoming quite ; fashionable. If this practice, spreads the: men on strike may live to regret the; day they did such a thing. There is no comparison between the shop-made and the h'ome-made loaf, either in taste or quality, so tliat the new bread for old is the good out of evil.

At the Borough Council meeting last' night the Town Clerk reported on behalf of the Reserves Committee, which had met but the meeting Had lapsed for want of a quorum, re sale of reserves. He read a letter from the N.Z. L. and M. Co., who wrote that they had offered by public auction last Saturday the reserves as advertised. The attendance at the time of the sale had been small, and the consensus of opinion appeared to be that the reserves were placed on the market at double their value. Consequently about ten or fifteen likely purchasers did not attend the sale. If the Council could see its way to reduce the price of the reserves, they believed they could place the lot at satisfactory prices. The matter was left in the hands of the Reserves Commitee to report at next meeting.

The Duma has under consideration at present a Bill for the regulation of the inheritance laws affecting women. ' At present in Russia women who have brothers living can inherit only one-fourteenth part of their parents’ real estate, and one-eighth of their personal property. Half-sisters and girl cousins have no right at all as long as their brothers are living. The new Bill proposes to allow testators to leave their daughters more than one-fourteenth or one-eighth, part, on condition that their shares do not exceed their brother’s or mother’s. In Russia no father can entirely disinherit his children. The law invariably over-rules a will where this has been attempted. A parent must leave a certain amount of his property to his offspring! This is a relic of the old Slavonic communal system when land was regarded as lent to a man for his lifetime rather than given to him. It is only by imperial confiscation that a man or woman can be deprived of inheritance.

The annual meeting of Court Stratford, No* 7302, of the Ancient Order of Foresters was held in the Foresters’ Hall la,st evening. District officers, Bros. R. Fawcett, D.S.C.R., and B. Y. Kivell, D. 8., visited the Court. The following officers were duly elected and installed in their respective offices, with due ceremony by the district officers. Bro. E. F. Lau, C.R., C. L. Kivell, S.C.R., E. H Kivell, treasurer, Geo. Burgess, secretary, C. Smith, S.W., R. Wood, J.W., T. W. Hatcher, 5.8., R. Wellington, J.B. Bro. W. Sullivan was elected delegate to attend the next district meeting, to held in New Plymouth on the 13th February, 1912. Bro. T. N. Payton, P.C.R., was presented with Ins P.C.R. neck ribbon by the D.S.C.R., who eulogised the brother’s great interest in, and the good work done by him for the Court, the genial and hard working recipient receiving a great rally from a good attendance of members present. The returns show that six now members have been initiated during the last six months, one new member being proposed last evening. _ The usual vote of thanks to the district officers for their attendance being carried, the Court closed in due form at 9.45 p.m.