LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 60, 6 March 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A jcminder is given of the dame which takes place in the Ngaere Hal! tin'- evening. Mr J. W. McMillan returned by last night’s mail train from a holiday trip to Dunedin. The rainfall at Eltham for the montn of February amounted to _4./9 inches The maximum fall was 2.18 m recorded on the 14th. The list for Friday’s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court includes thirtyfour civil cases (four defended), six judgment summonses, and three informations for breaches of Borough bylaws. Mr H. S. Sanders, of Warwick Road, and Mr C. Sanders, of Ngaire, leave by the express to-morrow morning for Wellington, where they \\ill proceed by the s.s. Tahiti to America, on a three months’ holiday trip. The ninth annual show of the Tariki Horticultural Society is to be held tomorrow, and excellent arrangements for visitors and exhibitors have been made by the energetic secretary( Mr H. J. Stratford), and his hard-work-ing committee. A reminder is given of the _Tutuiawa sports, which will be held in Mr 11. Walker’s paddock to-morrow. An excellent sports programme has been arranged, with a strong prize-list. Luncheon will be provided free of cost, and a dance will bo held in the even-

That very popular gathering—the Strathmore Athletic Club’s Annual Sports—is to take place this year on Thursday, April 4th. The excellent programme appears in another column. Jn the evening a daiuje will be held. Mr G. W. Calvert is Hon. Secretary.

It has been decided to entertain Mr Joseph MeCluggage at a complimentary social in the I own Hall, Stratford, on Easter Monday evening. A presentation will be made, and anyone desiring to take part, is requested to kindly communicate with Mr G. E. Wilson, Stratford. Among those honoured with the Fire Brigades Association’s gold star for twenty-five years’ service in brigade work is Mr R. H. Kivell, who has seen a good deal of service, having joined the Hawera brigade in 1883. He subsequently served in New Plymouth and Stratford, being captain of the local brigade for fourteen .years.

At a meeting of those interested in the Sports Protection League last night, the prominent gentlemen of various sporting organisations were being proposed as vice-presidents, “I have much pleasure,” said one, “in proposing Mr Sidney Pitt, as representing the cattle dealers. They’re the biggest sports of the lot.” (Laughter.)

The new decree, forbidding the dropping of wastepaper on the public thoroughfares in Paris is now in force. The edict, issued by the Prefect of Police, represents the first serious step taken in the war against the dirty and neglected appearance of the streets. The penalties for infringing the law, 11411011 forbids the dropping of wastepaper or fruit peel or anything calculated to dirty the streets, are fines from lOd to 12s 6d or imprisonment ranging from one to five days.

A unique journey has been performed by Dr. Sinclair Kennedy and Mrs Kennedy, two tourists from the United States. Their idea is that travelling by rail, sea, and coach, a great deal is missed, especially good river scenery. The doctor therefore employs a Canadian canoe, and recently he and Mrs Kennedy left Lake Manapouri early and traversed the river Waiau as far as journey of over sixty miles. En route the rapids in the stream were successfully shot, and the tourists speak in glowing terms of their experiences.

Here is a new confidence trick which brought the accused to grief in Auckland. Two men went to a shopkeeper in the city who had a brother in gaol and represented that they were warders from the gaol and if they were paid £1 the brother would be made comfortable and specially well treated. 1 he shopkeeper on that understanding handed over 20s. As a matter of fact the two men were from Mt. Eden gaol, but they had been there in the capacity of prisoners and had only a day or two before been discharged therefrom, having served their terms. The story came to the ears of the detectives, and the two men were arrested and sentenced to terms of imprisonment.

Some six or seven thousand cases of Nelson apples mill be shipped for London by the steamer Kaipara. Hitherto the apples have been sent from Nelson,'but on this occasion the fruit is to bo sent to Wellington and transhipped into the Kaipara. The reason for this is that it is considered desirable that fruit should be the last commodity taken on board, and, as the Kaipara, at the date of her departure from Wellington, will be a full ship, she would bo unable to enter Nelson port. The steamer is being specially fitted up for the apple shipment, and an apparatus is being installed which is intended to secure a umferm temperature thoroughout the apple chamber. A Government bonus of £.30 is this year offered for the steamer which lands her cargo of fruit in London in good condition. It is understood that the Shipping Company will supplement the bonus.

To-morrow the Midhirst dairy factory employees are holding their annual picnic and sports in the local sports' ground. The secretary is Mr 11. J. Hogg. A moderate charge is being made for gate entrance, children being free. In the evening there will be a dance. The promoters will be pleased to welcome friends from Stratford and the surrounding districts, and assure them a good time. Last night the fire brigade received a surprise call, being communicated with by telephone at ten o’clock by the caotain (.Mr T. G. Grubb), who instructed that the brigade turn out and put one lead on the N.Z.L. and M. A. Co.’s premises. The four men on duty turned out and the water was on the building in four minutes and a half from the time the call was received, which must be admitted to be a highly creditable performance when it is considered that two of the four men in the team were recruits.