LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 7, 18 December 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Masterton dairyman who has culled Jus herd systematically finds this year that he is supplying as much milk from (Jo cows as ne did last year from a herd of 'JO. Out of 760 samples of milk examined in London in tnree months, 106 were tuberculous, and the task of tracing this milk necessitated tho examination of 8715 cows at 102 farms scattered over the country. A witness giving evidence in a rent case, a i the Supreme Court, at Invercargill, last week, said that in a general way he rather liked tenancies to be in the name of the wife, as he had then a better chance of getting the rent. Hound about Rotorua the sawmilliug industry is making rapid development. There are now seven sawmills within a radius of a few miles, the output being about a million and a quarter of superficial feet of sawn timber every month. i'he principal Limber is nmu, which is principally being sent to various parts of the Auckland district. As showing the change of opinions to-day as compared with the ideas of twenty years ago, Mr. Lindsay mentioned, at the meeting of the .South Canterbury Education Hoard, that the authorities did all they could now to encourage swimming, hut when he went to school boys used to got caned for going away swimming. An interesting event took place at the Wainoni Zoo, Christchurch. The African lioness presented tiie Zoo with a small family of cubs, numbering four. At least it is believed that there are four of them. The father of tho family is a line African lion, which is now at Wainoni. Airs. Lion is in rather a fretful temper (says a Christchurch paper), and shutters have been put up in front of her den until she accommodates herself to her new responsibilities. Prior to the Westland election, political fooling ran very high. A story is told from a country town of two supporters of the rival candidates, who, after having extolled the merits of his man and painted in a lurid light the defects of the other fellow, resolved to settle the matter with their lists. The condition of the light was that the loser was to vote for the winner’s man. In this ease tho Micholite bad to throw in the towel, so that T. E. Y. Seddon gained an aditiona! vote. Lady Constance Folgambe, halfsister to the Earl Liverpool, was to have been married in .St. Peter’s, Eaton Square, to the Rev. Astley Hankins, vicar of Whitwcll-on-Hull. Yorkshire, on July 3, but the bride did not appear at the hour fixed for the ceremony. The church was crowded with a fashionable throng, but an hour after the time fixed for the ceremony it was announced that there bad been a postponement. Later it was announced that the bride had left her house immediately after breakfast, and had gone to the coun-

Irv. At Hie cloventli hour she decided that she didn’t want to get married. Site has again oxoersised the woman’s nrivilege. and has changed tier mind. The hride is 2(> years of ago, nearly L'd wars vonnger than her husband.

The December “Windsor Magazine” to hand from Mr. 11. Hopkins, is an admirably varied and attractive i sue, containing a complete story of

absorbing interest by H. do Yore Stac- ;> k>lc, author of “’lnc Blue Lagoon,” and other complete stories, ranging from grave to gay, by writers of such varied accomplishments as Archibald Marshall, Edgar Wallace, Owen Oliver, Fred M. White, and other favourite authors. Stephen Phillips’ now poem appears in this number, and the tine art feature consists of more than a dozen of the vivid pictures of British bird and animal life which have mdeaivd the name of Archibald Tliorhurn alike to sportsmen, naturalists, and the mere observer. The war spirit against Mexico is rising in the United States. It is la liovod that nothing can prevent an invasion of Mexico by an overwhelming force made up principally of American political adventurers. Texas promises to provide 500,000 men in the event of trouble. Senor Madero’s contempt of American interests on tho border during the late revolution is the real cause of the present demonstration. The downfall of Madero is

everywhere predicted. Ho had used tiie machinery of government for his own selfish purposes, and has become intensely unpopular. It is generally predicted that the outcome of tho movement will he the annexation by the United States of Sonora- a State in the north-western part of Mexico.

One of tho most thriving of tho many prosperous industries of Germany last year was that of toymaking. As lo fashions in toys, tlio “ciiaraeter” dolls replaced the 'leddy boiir, but aeroplanes and similar goods remained in great demand. Micap toys were exported in largo quantities to the United Kingdom

and the United States. 'The value of die German toy trade was no loss than £4,300,000 —-an increase of half a million on the total of the preceding year. The two best customers wore the United States and the United Kingdom. The former country took 17,631 tons of German toys last year, and 11,763 tons was the quantity imported into Britain. France bought 2470 tons, and the smaller quantities went to Belgium and Russia.

The “Timaru Herald” states that

surprise has been expressed at the large number of informal votes which wore cast in Timaru on the licensing issue—4sl. This is attributed to the clumsy way in which the issues were worded, and it has been suggested that in future it would bo better to give out blank papers and let each voter indicate by a single word thereon the issue of which he or she was in favour. Some- people admit having struck out the top line though they desired to vote in the opposite way, and there were others who were in the opposite position. Strange to say, quite a number of voters, after obtaining their papers, folded them up and put them in the ballot boxes without making any mark whatever on them. Some of these have explained that they did not want to vote at ail, but went to the booth and took the papers as being less trouble than getting reinstated on the roll. ,

A point not often raised in connection with the giving of evidence was mentioned in the Gisborne- Magistrate’s Court last week. According to the .Poverty Bay “Herald”, a, witness, before commencing his evidence pointed out that he had been considerably inconvenienced through the imany adjournments that had taken place, and lie had wasted a good deal of time. “Of course von are entitled to

reasonable compensation for that from tho party who brought you here” remarked Mr. Barton, S.M. “Do you want to be paid before giving evidence?” asked the Magistrate. The witness said that he did not want that altogether, but lie , wanted his expenses guaranteed. In reply to his Worship, counsel said he was not prepared to guarantee the witness’s expenses. Ho also questioned whether the witness could refuse to give evidence after entering the witness-box. The Magistrate: Oh, yes, lie can; he can refuse to be sworn. Counsel: He

could have refused to appear, but since he lias appeared he is bound to give evidence. Mr. Barton ruled that was not so; but that a witness could demand his expenses before being sworn.

“John Strange Winter,” as is well known, was a woman—Mrs. Arthur Stannard, F.R.S.L. She was born at York on January 13, 1856, and was the only daughter of the late Rev. Henry Vaughan Palmer, rector of St. Margaret’s in that city. She was also •i descendant of Hannah Pritciiard, the celebrated actress, to whose memory a monument was placed in Westminster Abbey, next to the bust of Shakespeare, by public subscription. The deceased authoress married Mr. Arthur Stannard, in 1884, and had a family of one son and three daughters. Her first story appeared in print in April, 1874, and from that time on she was a regular contributor to periodical literature, her stories mostly depicting army life. Ruskin paid her the compliment of being “the author to whom we owe tho most finished and faithful rendering ever yet given of the character of the British soldier.” She was the first president of the Writers’ Club, in 1892, and was president of the Society of W- men Journalists from 1901 to 1903. Among the best-known works of John Strange Winter are: “Booties’ Baby,” “A Born Soldier,” and “Houp La.” Besides these she produced something like a hundred other books. In her spare time she was a student of hair and skin culture, and in this mu suit gained seme commercial prominence. It is hoped that the Commonwealth Government will see its way as soon is possible to make some little provision for the relief’ of deserving Australians who have, through misfortune, become stranded in London. “The position to-day is a deplorable one,” says the London correspondent of the “Sydney Daily Telegraph.” “The number of our people who get into low water here is not large, but it is large enough to justify the immediate establishment of some form of relief. All Australians resident in London are more or loss acquainted with two unhappy types of their kinsmen. One is the hopeless vagabond who, having come to London and got (own on his luck, has become a burden to himself and a nuisance to everyone lie can waylay. He gets, lots of assistance. In’s fortunes depending iiiinii his luck in striking Australians whom lie has not ‘touched’ before. All lie gets goes the same way. No financial assistance is of any use to him. Xo one would ask the Government to come to the help of this type. The other class has strong hums upon the practical sympathy of the Commonwealth. It is surprising to find how many Australians there are drifting about the world. Whenever one of them heroines workless and oomiiles either in Groat Britain or in Europe, he aims for London, in the hope that there ho may receive support from the representatives of the Government, nr some of his fellowcountrymen living in the metropolis. i’Tmiv of those men arc deserving of i little State assistance in their season of adversity.’ 5

The blocking at the Whangamomoua tunnel has been completed. The Milhirsi Dairy Factory has just installed a new Derry pasteuriser. It is doing excellent work, and Mr. Klseman, the manager, expresses thorough satisfaction with the machine.

On Wednesday the local dairy factories will pay out nearly £26,000, distributed as follows :—Midhirst, £10,000; Stratford, £7504; Cardiff, £1740: Lowgarth, £2407; Ngaire, £3043.'

At the Whangamomona Police Court on Friday, before T. A. Bradley, Esq., J.P., 'George Robertson, a second offender, was fined 10s for being drunk in the - main street, V haugamomona.

As an evidence of the extraordinary weather, Mr Tyrer, headmaster of the local -school, informs us that their barometer at 11 o’clock was showing a lower reading than ever before to his knowledge. In two hours the glass fell two points, the reading at 11 a.m. being 28. It is to be noted that the barometer is set for sea level. For the position of Principal of the New Plymouth High School, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. Ernest Pridham, the Board of Governors has received 49 applications. Of these 40 are from Now Zealand, four from Victoria, three from New South Wales, and one each from Queensland and South Australia. j

The Works Committee of the Eltham Borough Council reported at the Council’s last meeting on an act of violation to one of the graves in the cemetery, and the Mayor explained that a stone had been removed from tlie grave referred to, the reason given, he believed, being that it had not been paid for. The recommendation of the Works Committee that legal proceedings be taken was adopted.

A new arrival to Stratford is Mr D. M. Wilson, District Surveyor, and family. Mr Wilson has purchased Mr. Raikes’ property on Pembroke Road, and will make Stratford his headquarters. H'e has just completed the survey of the Tahora township and is now commencing the survey of a road line from Puniwhakau to Crown land on the Wanganui River; also to survey a large block of Crown lands contiguous to this road line. Two cases of alleged interfere nco with the Patea electoral roll in Wav-, erley have come under our notice (writes the “Patea Press”). One gentleman, who is considerably nearer 100 than 21, was much surprised to find that his name had been struck off the roll, despite the fact that ho had voted continuously in the district for many years, and was a good deal annoyed upon learning that it was then too late to have it replaced. The other case was that of a young lady who has not yet readied the mature age of one and twenty, who found her name on the roll. This would appear to be a case of impersonation; as the lady in question did not sign an enrolment form.

At Friday last’s meeting of the Eltham Borough Council a letter was read from the Stratford Chamber of Commerce, forwarding a resolution with reference to a universal halfholiday for Taranaki.* The day most favoured i liy Stratford business people was Saturday.—-The Mayor stated that he had been unable to' attend the conference to be held to discuss the matter, 1 but he would 1 see that a report of 'the conference wotild be obtained.—Cr. Nnttall said that Eltliam people favoured Thursday half-holiday while Stratford favoured Saturday, so it seemed as if they were going to clash. It-would'bfe ! tlesirable to have uniformity.—Cr. Crump thought the matter of sufficient importance to be discussed at a public meeting so as to obtain the feeling of the people.— After some discussion it was decided to let the matter : stand over till the January meeting.

: r i> “It is far. better to build schools than prisons,” said Archbishop Kelly at the laying of the foundation stone of the new convent at, Woollahra, Sydney, la,st week. “It is better for the Government to help good parents than have to go after had ones and punish them. Take even the school authorities, and they will tell you that education will necessarily be hampered and spoilt when it is put under what is called a Minister for Education.” He went on to say that when the process of education was made the subject of statute law it was spoilt beyond reparation. Providence did not intend all to be on tlie same level, and it was spoiling education to bring all individuals and all classes under the same machinery, and. compelling them to carry it on during the best years ..of their lives. The present education system in New South Wales was a disgrace and a misfortune to the country, because of the incompleteness in moral training.

An improved school desk has been designed by Mr. T. Thomas, head master of the Eltham District High School, and a sample of the invention was shown to a “Star” reporter at the Hawera District High School on Friday. The desk is of the single pattern, and one of its recommendations is that the honks will not fall upon the floors, as they are placed in a conveniently-sized' box instead of in a small shelf as at present. There is also a groove for pens and pencils inside the box, so that these may not he knocked on to the floor. The seat is self-raising whefi the pupil stands and is noiseless in its action. The desk is made of thick and strong timber, and a good clearance is provided for sweeping the floor underneath. Tlie desk can be easily moved whenever required, by one pupil. The new desk is certainly an improvement upon the present pattern, and has no unsightly iron work. The improved pattern is the result of a good deal of experimenting upon the part of Mr. Thomas, and it is understood that tlie Eltham School Committee is recommending its adoption in tlie Eltliam School.

“Some of them are as big as houses,” remarked a member at the meeting of the Moa Tioad Board on Saturday, says the “News,” when discussing the size of boulders delivered on the roadside by some metal contractors. It was, he said, distinctly unfair to ask stone-breakers to nap some of them with their ordinary hammers. From his own observations contractors would endeavour to break these bonders in the river with 161 b or 181 b hammers. Failing in the attempt they would, with the assistance of three or four men, load them into their carts, and expect the poor stone-breaker to succeed with his lighter hammers. The Chairman pointed out that the contractors were not paid foi any stone until such time as it was broken ready for the road, so the stone-breakers could soon remedy matters by refusing to break these ‘monsters. Members were generally of opinion that it was advisable'to introduce some regulation as to size of boulder stone in the specifications when calling for future supplies, but nothing definite was arrived at.