LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 63, 20 March 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Stratford Evening Post will not be published to-morrow (Good Friday) or on Easter Monday.

A company is being formed in Petone for the purpose of procuring motor buses, to run in the borough. The capital of the company is to be £SOOO.

Mr L. G. Reid, S.M., stated in the Magistrate’s Court at Masterton that it was necessary, under the Act, to have two men on the look-out from traction engines, apart from the driv-

“I am very much afraid if they continue on these lines, the Reform Party will not hold office after the next election,” was the remark made by a County Councillor yesterday afternoon when a further attempt In obtain a loan through the Advances Department appeared to have no chance of succeeding.

The Druids held tile first' dance of the season last evening, when about forty couples took the floor to excellent music supplied by Mr Rogers’ orchestra, consisting of Mr Rogers (violin), Miss Rogers (piano), Mr Penn (violin), Mr Everiss (cello), Mr O’Leary (flute), and Mr Burmester (cornet). Mr J. B. Hine was present and joined in the dancing, which concluded at about midnight. The Druids now intend holding their popular socials every month.

For the first time in its history the Stratford County Council has received the glad tidings that an inscribed debt under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1886, has been wiped out. Twenty-six years have elapsed since the Council converted its debt of £9OO 19s (with half-yearly interest amounting to £2O 5s sd) under this Act, and the amount together with another loan of £OOO (half-yearly interest £6 15s) have not been deducted from the total indebtedness of the Council, which now stands at £121,466 0s Id (halfyearly interest £2712 10s Id).

Recently, for the public convenience, a stamp-selling machine was installed in the lobby of the Stratford Post Office. It works admirably when properly treated, but yesterday refused duty and on an examination being made by Mr S. G. Stanton, the postmaster, it was discovered that some mischievous person—probably a school-boy—had loaded the machine up with ivory counters, pieces of card-board, and leaden discs. The act was a stupid one, but it might be well to warn any young gentleman inclined to similar lolly that severe punishment awaits any person found tampering with this machine.

Several business changes will take place in Stratford shortly. Mr S. Sharpe, who for several years has had charge of the hairdressing business of Mr C. E. James, has purchased the fittings of Mr James’s saloon, and will start in business on bis own in the premises occupied by Mr B. Fearon, secretary of the Stratford A. and P. Association. Mr Fearon will rent a portion of Messrs Jackson BroS.’ premises. Mr James will give up the hairdressing portion of his business, and the extra room thus afforded will bo devoted to better displaying his largo stock of fancy goods. Mr Sharpe is an expert hairdresser, and intends to fit up bis new premises handsomely.

The annual ceremony of installation in connection with Lodge Stratford No. 75 was held last night in the Town Hall.* The following officers were installed by lit. Wor. Bro. T. C. Fookes, Provincial Grand Master:—W.M., Wor. Bro. F. Copestake; S.W., Bro. J. McAllister; J.W.. Bro. C. H. Speck; secretary, Bro. E. Jackson; 1.P.M., Wor. Bro. F. E. Dobson j Chaplain; Rev. Bro. Butler; Treasurer, Wor. Bro. F. E. Dobson; S.D., Bro. T. E. Coleman; J . D., Bro. W. H. Besley; Director of Ceremonies, Wor. Bro. G. Smart; T.G., Bro. J. H. Ashton; S.S.. Bro. E. W. Hancock; J.S., Bro. E. L. Hann; Tyler, Wor. Bro. W. H. Webb; Organist, Bro. J. H. Thompson. After the ceremony, a supper was held, there being a very large attendance of members and visiting brethren. Mrs Brookings catering was excellent.

All local firemen are requested to fall in at the Central Fire Station at 2 p.m. sharp to-morrow (Good Friday) for the church parade.

At yesterday’s poll 4GO persons recorded their votes, this number being rather more than half tho resident ratepayers on the roll. To-day’s Post: Sporting notes, page % 2] County Council, page 3; correspondence, etc., page 7 ; and sundry mat- . ter, page 8. The Stratford Bowling Club is playing a match with Eltham on t%. Stratford green to-morrow afternoon at 2 o’clock. The four rinks will bo picked to-morrow and all bowlers are requested to be mi the green. A tribute to the quality of New Zealand butter comes to us from British Columbia. Writing to Mr A. M. Spillman, Stratford, a relative says: “We are eating New Zealand butter here; it hs much cheaper and better than the local article.”

A reminder is given of the open-air service which will be held in Victoria Park to-morrow afternoon, when mem- x here of friendly societies and various public bodies will take part. The procession will be formed up at 2.30 at the Foresters’ Hall, and will proceed to the rendezvous, via Broadway, where the service will commence at 3 o’clock.

The oyster craft at the Bluff have met with decidedly unfavourble weather during the greater period of the time since the season was opened a little over a week ago, states the local paper. What fine weather has como along, however, has been eagerly availed of by those concerned in the industry ,and on these occasions big hauls have been made. Recently the Rita arrived at the wharf with some 8000 dozen oysters aboard, which is said to be a record haul in the history of the Stewart Island oyster industry. •

That portion of the Pembroke road which prevents motorists from driving with ease and comfort right up to the Stratford mountain house was discussed by the Stratford County Council yesterday, the matter being brought up by Mr E. Jackson, who waited on-4l the Council as a deputation. The Council decided that they wohld spend £4 on the road, provided the Borough Council voted £4, and another £4 was raised by private subscription. It was mentioned that two culverts and a few minor repairs were all that was reeded to make the road passable, but the engineer remarked that almost any sum of money could expended upon the road, and too much could not be done.

The Inglewood Horticultural Society held its annual sh<hv yesterday, and the result was a magnifiebirt collection of exhibits, totalling a thousand odd in number. All the classes were well filled, and the show would not suffer iu the least when compared with our h»eal one. Stratford competitors, however, were at the show in big numbers, and as per usual, walked away with a heap of prizes. Mrs Reader secured a first prize, with a magnificent bridal boquet, and secured “reds” for ladies’ spray, buttonholes, phlox and gladiioli; Mrs James won no less than seven firsts for; biscuits, cakes, scones, etc.; , Mrs Arden had wins with cut blooms; Mr Davis had his usual success with dahlias that put other growers in the shade; Mrs James’s sweet peas brought him in four firsts, while Mr G. Boyles scored heavily with his vegetables.

Thursday, April 10th, promises to bo a red-letter day in Toko, when the annual sports will be held on the Domain. An attractive programme has been arranged. About £6O in trophies will be distributed as prizes, and as a special Mr J .B. Hine, M.P., has presented a medal for a most points prize. The running events are varied, and include distances from 75 yards to a mile. A hurdle race of 120yds also features on the programme. Wrestling (Cumberland style any weight, and catch-as-catch-can two weights) should brfng out good entries. Competitions comprise chain stepping, and sheep guessing. A challenge trophy presented by Toko tradesmen should elicit some interest among dairy farmers. This is for the best pen of five heifer calves, any breed suitable for dairying purposes. Particulars regarding this last event may be had from Mr A. J. Lees, secretary of the Toko Farmers’ Union. Hot water and milk will be provided and a refreshment booth will bo on the ground to dispense sundry soft drinks, fruit, etc. The energetic committee, of which Mr Bocock is secretary, has secured the services of the Stratford/ Brass Band for • the day. A social will be held in the Coronation Hall in the evening.

A WORD FtlOM TENNYSON. ‘One little word in kindness spoken, A motion of a. tear, Will of times heal the heart that’s broken, And make a friend sincere.” These words by Tennyson are brimming over with truth, for how often wo make a sincere friend by a kindly deed, or a litttle advice given in due season. A man 45 years of ago was b mrd to say: “I have made more sincere friends in the last two years ever before in ray life.” He haa been in poor health for years, but by simple chance he regained health and strength. Now he takes pleasure in helping others regain their health, and thus he lias gone on making friends. Once he was a sufferer from indigestion, but he took RENZIE’S PEPSO and was quickly cured. Si'. J then he has earnestly recommended RENNIE’S PEPSO to all those who suffer from Indigestion, Acidity, Heartburn, and Flatulence. All chemists and grocers sell RENZIF.’S PEPSO at 2s Cd cor bottle. *