LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 11, 23 December 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Monday next being Christmas Day, and Tuesday Boxing Day, the “Stratford Evening Post” will not bo published on those dates. A young negro who posseses four times lire normal sight was referred to in a lecture before the members of the Institute of Ophthalmic Opticians by Dr. G. Lindsay Johnson. This negro could see three of Jupiter’s moons with the naked eye, and could read a newspaper at a distance of ton feet. Wife-beaters in Germany are not sent to gaol as in Groat Britain, but are arrested on leaving work on Saturdays and detained in prison till the time for resumption of labour on Mondays. While the offender is tints serving Ins time his earnings arc handed to his wife and family. That a man cannot se.'Ae his employers faith tally without making one' mies is a truism that is apparently firmly believed in by a certain member of the Gonville Town Board, says Thursday’s Wanganui Herald, who. at last night’s meeting, remarked : “J tiling Mr (mentioning one of the Poaid’s officials) has Been doing his work all right. Several people have been complaining about him to me.” Page, Glendining, and Marshall were recently charged with having blackmailed the Comtesse H ami I Demain, “a nervous old lady,” for ■CoOO by a threat to have her arrested. They were alleged to have used anonymous letters written by the Comtesse and a man named Dan O’Connor, whom she had met in Australia, to the prospective mother-in-law of Joint Hamilton Bobbie, whom site had also known in Australia, with the idea c-f preventing Dobbin's marriage. The Comtesse denied that she had written Hit' anonymous letters herself. “J think that the words blackguard and brute will adequately express my opinion of you,” said Air. C. C. Keltic, S.M., at Auckland on Monday afternoon, when granting an app! - cation for summary separation which was made by Virginia- Sullivan, a delicate little woman, against her husband. Daniel Sullivan, a labourer, of Maker Street. “Further than litis,” eon turned his Worship, “yon lied to me in stilting that you had never been drunk in your life. Now respectable- witnesses have come forward and testified in your drunken habits. I would not ask any woman to live with a blackguard like yon. Yon are too low and too filthy.” Air. Kettle made ;ta order for the payment In ■-■itliivan of Cl Kb: per week towards the support of his wife and two young children.

On Christmas morning the hand iil render carols round the town.

A mail steamer with a sliced of 15 lots lias to earn £I3OOO a month to ear expenses. One of from 17 to

■ 8 knots has to earn £IO,OOO a month, ■ ind one of 20 knots £15,000 a month. W have to acknowledge Christmas greetings and seasonable wishes from several of our contemporaries, and many other friends. In heartily reciprocating wo trust that all may have a very Merry Christmas and a right Happy New Year. 1 estorday proved a real summer div in Stratford, and with the snn-

■s.iino came bright looks and smiling laces. The choice millinery and the Panama hat will be wanted after all, Hiougat som ( people had almost given up hope.

I Jie Borough Council offices close ■or the Christmas holidays to-day, reopening on January S. ' The library will lie closed from .December 23 to January 6, except on Saturday and 1 mirsday afternoons between 2 and 3 2 flock, and on Saturday evenings from i to 8. t

in ISOS Denmark had 1,007,000 much cows, of which 170,000 were more chan ten years old; in 1903 there were lot), 000 out of 1,089,000, and in 1909tnere were only 97,000 over ten years old out of 1,285,000. Thus the percentage of cows over ten years old was nearly 17 per cent, in 1898; 14.2 per cent, in 1903; and 7.0 per cent m 1909.

A Queensland correspondent writes : —A wedding was solemnised in the Cnurch ox England, Dalby, Queensland, on December sth, 1911, the con-

tacting parties being Maggie, third laughter of Mr and Mrs Geo. Moir, late of lututawa, to Mr Harold llutxnt Newman, youngest son of Mr and Mrs J. Newman, of Wattle House, Mndgee, New South Wales. Tremendous excitement lias been caused throughout Alsace-Loraine as i result of n shooting affray which occurred in Metz (says a cablegram ‘tom Paris to the Sydney “Sun”). A German soldier named Marsch was dint and killed in the street by Alexinder Samaine, one of the leaders of '.he French party. Four of Samaine’s friends were with the murderer at the time, and they, together with Sarnaine and Ids brother, have been arrested in connection with the crime. The trial of tlie accused is considered tkely to have a momentous effect in fanning the hostile racial feelings, which have always been acute in the districts of Alsace-Loraine. M. Sanaine was the organiser of the French party, and it was lie who organised ■ho demonstration in Metz in January last, when the troops had to be ■ailed out to disperse the crowds, who paraded the streets singing the “Marseillaise” and cheering for the Ileoublic.

Captain Attwood, of the Elingaruitc, whose character was cleared by die enquiry into the wreck last week, writes to the Press as follows:—“I wish to give thanks to all riiy friends who have helped me to lift from myself the shadow left upon mo by, the judgment of the Marine Court or Enquiry into the Elingamite wreck long years ago. I have always believed myself innocent cf the charges of careless navigation and negligence brought against me, and I take the liberty to think that those who know trie did not attribute the sad loss of life to any lack of precaution on my part, hut the Court’s finding; did make me-feel a condemned man in the .'eyes of the public. The second enquiry on the evidence of the old mistake in the charting of the Three Kings and other facts has, taken from my. name the hdack mark which a verdict once set against it, and for this clearance I am happy to say that 1 owe to kind friends a debt beyond my power of payment. I may specially mention 7-9ptain Watson {secretary of the Merchant Service Guild) and Mr. T. M. Wilford, who worked very energetically on my behalf. I also hoartly thank the Press for assistance.

The Egyptian Nationalists have pursued a very strong and bitter campaign against the British occupation, ;"d Bto native Press has done all in ■t - power to inflame the popular mind against the British. The Al-Lewa is

"he principal organ of the Nationalists, tnd it lias adopted the method of dedaring that the English Army is a ncre name, a force of ill-bred, incompetent, useless drunkards, who cantot stand even against the heroes of Egyptian Nationalism. Following is t sample of, its invective:—“lt is realty astounding to see these English officers show so much pride and power in public places, while in war we hear nothing about their valour. The batik fields are witnesses of their lack of 'mirage and endurance. How is it diat they never show courage except in balls and meetings, where they indulge in luxury and pleasure? Our Egyptian officers have proved to tlio ■vcrid their valour in the Soudan. Hose who know the facts declare that, bad it not been for the courage and ’aithful service of our officers, the English troops and their officers would have fallen into the hands of Dervishes, to end their days in the misery jf prison and captivity, instead of living in the scats of luxury and lust. Way, then, is this false pride, why ill tin's supercilious conceit ? Now, oatisnee lias a limit, and breasts cannot bear insult beyond a certain decree. Do the English wish to make our breasts burst by these repeated I limits ?” According to a cable received in Australia last week, the general opinion in London is that the end of the present Persian crisis will be the cscablishment of a Russian protectorate over tlie best part of Persia, including Teheran and Tabriz, which latter city is, next to the Capital, the largest in the country. It is regarded by the newspapers as unlikely that Russia will withdraw once she has established herself in the Shah’s dominions. According to the Teheran correspondent of “The Times,” Russia’s first act will be to substitute a new form of government from that provided by the existing National Council. This wiJ possibly damage British commerce, but it will mainly be a blow to British prestige among Orientals, and it is that phase of the trouble that is Musing anxiety. The London weekly, ‘".I lie Outlook,” in the course of some comments on the situation, remarks: “We are face to face with the greatest crisis in the history of British pn icy in Asia.” Another weekly, “The Notion,” writes: “It is the worst hi-,w our prestige could suffer in the IT st. We appear as a weak partner, who does not dare to check a powerful an 1 an unscrupulous associate.” Mr. ■Korgan Shuster, Persain TreasurerGeneral, who is held responsible for ‘he crisis is the most discussed man in England to-day. Government officials ai d the Press alike credit him with being efficient, and with having good intentions, but, at the same time, accuse him of lack of diplomacy. The British Cabinet is trying to get Russia to abate her demands, but the e’’ x'of the matter is the tension with G r.nany. As Britain would need the Russian support in case of war, she cannot afford to off end the Czar.

Mr and Mrs J. W. Boon and Mr and Mrs 11. Masters leave on Wednesday on a trip to Australia. Mr and Mrs E. Jackson left this morning for a fortnight’s holiday in Auckland. Mr. G. Bond was a passenger by this morning’s south train, with Wellington as Ids destination. Captain and Mrs. Cardale left by the mail train for Wellington this morning Mr E. A. Osmond, secretary of the National Sweet Pea Society, returnee last night from the Society’s show in Palmerston. Messrs. E. and C. Jackson report having disposed of Mr. McMillan n property on Monmouth Road, to an English buyer, Mr. Gibson, at a satisfactory figure. The highest rainfall registered in the North Island for the montn of November was 12.59 inches, at At aitomo Caves, and the lowest was .94 inches, at AVairoa (Hawke’s Bay). 1 in extreme records for the South Islanc were 23.85 at Otira and 1.10 at Clyde Yesterday Mr H. W. Huggelt. Flint Road, met with a somewhat serious accident, being thrown from a mower on to one of the wneels. breaking one of bis ribs. Hr. Caiberv was at once called in and attended the sufferer, who is not thought to be 111114; beyond the broken rib. The “News” gives currency to the following paragraph :— “We understand that at a meeting of the Liberal Party in Wellington the Premier intimated his intention of resigning the leadership of the Liberal Party. Lie new leader will be either the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie (member ior Egmont) or Hon. James Millar (nie.nbei for Dnnediii North).” Hearing of the charge of keeping liquor for sale against a man named Cornells, at AA r aihi, disclosed rather extraordinary features. Evidence showed that for four days the average consumption in house was thirteen quart bottles of aic and two and a half bottles of whisky per day. Witnesses swore they had received liquor on- various occasions as pure gifts, but denied having tasted whisky in the soup. Jhe case "is dismissed, but oil two minor charges defendant was fined £5 with cosis in each case.

Patea can be said to possess two members of the Fire Brigade who can be classed as enthusiasts in ■-henwork, says the “Press.” Three members who happened to be in cnarge oi two teams of horses when the Harbourmaster’s house caught lire, on noticing the, conflagration, immedi n H.V unharnessed their teams and jumping on the hacks of the leaders gall >p< u to the scene of the fire, where trey assisted materially in provennng .lie fire spreading to the washhouse and adjoining outbuildings. Needless to s i> their prompt and spontaneous action was thoroughly appreciated by Ca ptain Tinnpy and his family. One of the passengers on the mail train this morning was Mr W. H. Moyes, M.A., B.Sc., of King s College, Auckland, who has just accepted the position of principal of the New Plymouth High School. Mr Moyes had a distinguished career at Nelson College, and his name is still remembered at Canterbury College as one of the finest athletes of ; his day. For niahy years he was a master 'at Nelson 1 College; where as manager of the “Nelsonian;” ‘Captain of Cadets, and football coach, ho was 1 an exceedingly popular member of the teaching staff. A few years ago, ilr Moves accepted a position at King’s College, Auckland, under Major Major, another former master of Nelson College. Old boys of Nelson College, and of the institutions of which Mr Moves was a master, will join in congratulating him on his appointment, and wishing him continued success. Mr and Mrs Sidney Ward arrived back in .Stratford .recently -after a three months’ trip to Australia, both being in excellent health, having had a very enjoyable time on the other side. Mr Ward “did” Australia fairly thoroughly, having visited Ballarat, Geelong, Bendigo, Launceston, Hobart, Svdnev, Melbourne, and a few of the* “small fry,” as well as tie principal watering places, Manli, Googeo, Bondi and the rest. Chatting at our office this morning, Mr Ward got on the subject of railways, and said that the New South Wales railways, which are under the control of commissioners, are far superior to anything wo have over here. Our first-cl; ss accommodation is equal to their second, and the fares are in some cares as low as to include a half-penny, 5Vd representing one of our Is 6d trips. Mr Ward had the good fortune to inspect one of the big fire brigade s‘ations, and later saw the brigade in. action on a big fire. Eight mo - or engines, five electric ladders, and a heap of apparatus were employed. He was much interested to learn that the Stratford brigade is endeavouring to equip itself with a motor engine, and wished the movement every success.

Tho vital statistics for the month of November, 1911, show the folio iviuS death rates per 1000 of the population in the four chief cities of New Zealand —Auckland,. 0.83; Wellingon, 0.82; Christchurch, 0.70; Dunedin, 1.06. If the suburban boroughs are included, the rates work out somewhat differently being as follow, with the rates for November, 1910, shown in parentheses for comparison:—Auckland (0./2), 0.8 S; Wellington (0.69), 0.82; Christchurch (0.63), 0.71: Dunedin (0.7-8), 0.88. Tho total births in the four chief cities and their subeban boroughs amounted to 630, against C 73 in October—a decrease, ol 43. r i He deaths in November were 229—a decrease of 23 as compared with October. Of the total deaths, males contributed 124, females 105. f l hirtycight of the deaths were of children under five years of age, being 16.59 per cent, of the whole number; 28 of these were under one year of age. There were 73 deaths of persons of 65 years and upwards in the four chief cities and their suburban boroughs, as against 89 in October.

In a judgment summons case in Auckland on Thursday, a down-cast looking drover said he hadn’t been able to pay his debts because of lack of employment. He admitted to Mr Kettle that he had spent some 4s or 5s a week on himself. “What in?” asked the Magistrate. “Oh—in tobacco,” replied the drover, rubbing Jais chin meditatively. “Oh, come! That won’t do. I can see over a stick of tobacco quite easily; don’t you sometimes take a glass or two of beer?” “Well, you see, it’s this way,” answered the drover quite “If you’re at a pub along the road with the other boys and they ‘shout’ you’re expected to do the same “i turn; and if you don’t, why, another time when it may happen that your mob of cattle breaks away the other boys won’t give you a hand to get ’em together again if you aint a sociable kind o’ feller.” “Yes,” sighe i the Magistrate, “I know it’s a Horrible temptation to you on those long dusty roads. When you get to a pub-lic-house first one ‘shouts’ and then another.” The case was adjoprned lor a month.