LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 84, 16 April 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

1 he H.M.S. New Zealand has three funnels, of different sizes. They are called by the crew, “Faith, Hope, and Charity,” and the forward funnel—“the greatest of these”—is called “Charity.”

To-night in the Foresters’ Hall Mrs Bianchi holds the first of a series of fortnightly assemblies. Lovers of the light fantastic can rely on having an enjoyable time, and will no doubt be pleased to know that it will be a long night.

The secretary to the Toko Sports Committee asks us to state that in finally checking the large number of tickets in the weight-guessing competition, it was discovered tiiat whereas it was thought that two guesses of 2901b5» divided second honours, Mill. Dingle had beaten both these with a guess of 295i|lb,s. The exact weight was 295 Jibs, guessed correctly by Miss K. Breen only, as previously stated.

Sockeye salmon has been seen spawning in a little creek at. the Homestead, Lake Oliau. So runs the text oi‘ an interesting report which has just been furnished to the Marine Department. A shipment of sockeye salmon was imported into tiho dominion in 1902. The eggs were hatched out at Lake Oliau, and the fry liberated in the streams flowing into the lake. The case mentioned is the first one reported in which the fish have become acclimatised and are spawning in New Zealand.

A banknote in old furniture is more often sought than found. But one of the lucky occasions occurred when an auctioneer was selling household effects at Palmerston North last Tuesday. He was on the point of “knocking down” a chest of drawers to the highest bidder when his assistant, unwrapping what looked like waste paper in one of the drawers, disclosed a neatly folded banknote. It was promptly put aside to be credited to the vendor.

A quaint story of the flood is told by a resident of Gore. There are a few Chinese gardeners in that town, and they suffered with the rest, for all the “luck” the Chinaman is supposed to enjoy. After the flood a citizen found at the gate of one of the gardeners some vegetables and ginger. He carried them to the owner, who refused to take them. “.Not my vegetables, not my ginger. They yours, you take them.” It was■ explainer! to him that the stuff was purposely placed outside by the Chinaman himself, who believed, in accordance with the laws of Menu and Confucius or Vuan-Shi-Kai, that somebody would take it, and thereby incur the fate of having to save their owner from the next flood or from an even greater calamity in another world than this. The gentleman who tells this story observed that the Chinese are for all that not quite

sound in their faith in well-placed vegetables and ginger, for some of them are going to make sure of not being caught in the next Gore flood by the simple process of clearing out.

Ladies! Warner’s Corsets are comfortable—guaranteed so—they shape fashionably. The bones cannot rusr or can the fabric tear. Order v' Local diapers

Resolutions to increase the capital of the Ngaire Co-operative Dairy Company were passed at a meeting held yesterday. The nominal increase will be £7OOO, made up of £1 shares. The Town Clerk lias received word from Mr R. W. Raker, of Hayward’s Pictures, Eltham, to the effect that lie left to-day for Wellington to make final arrangement*? for opening a Picture Show in the Town Hall, Stratford, and that he expects to make a start in about a fortnight’s time. The object of Mr -Mill:;’ visit to otraiiora as to secure the attendance of delegates from various local unions at a conference to bo held in July next at Wellington, for the purpose of arriving at a basis of unity among Labour organisations, both industrial and political. At this conference a political platform and a constitution lor the proposed new Social Democratic Party will be drawn up, Victoria, says an Australian journal, is producing a new type of woman. She is to be seen every Saturday afternoon indulging vigorously in men’s sports, from football to hockey, and many of her sporting clubs have on their belts tiie scalps of men’s societies. One of the Amazons has now applied to the Victorian Football Association for a position as field umpire. She says she is of fine physique and possesses a sound knowledge of the game, and suggests that ■she lias such a command of language that she could hold her own in any football controversy.

Some of the licensing benches in England are down on managers who allow children to attend picture shows at night. The Bur y magistrates have iorbididen children who have not reached the age of fourteen years to enter a “second house,” at either a variety theatre or cinematograph, whether accompanied by parents or net. An effort was made to except the regulation on Saturdays and holidays, it being pointed out that many parents wishing to take their children out might find a difficulty in getting to the “first house.” But the Bench would allow' of no alteration in their new condition in the license.

An empty barrell got “on the loose” in Lambton Quay, Wellington, on Saturday night, and interrupted the tram traffic. The barrel started from near the Government Buildings, and was blown along the quay at an amazing speed. It slowed down after a while, but just as a tram car going in the same direction was about to overtake it, it worked in another sprint. Finally, however, 1 it seemed clear that the car was going to take the lead, and the .barrel, as a last strategy, cut in sharply and sat fairly in the centre of the car’s track. The tram did not proceed until the barrel had been arrested and removed. , ; j , . c !.'■ ;; a 1y <> Many stories arc recalled by Lord Knollys’ retirement -from the King’s service. There is that, for instance, of “Bay” Middleton, a great personal fiiond of King Edward, who had an incorrigible habit of practical joking. One form that this penchant assumed was the tearing of his friends’ evening coate up the back. One evening after dinner at Sandringham, Middleton found Sir, Francis Knollys’ back too tempting, and the Private Secretary’s garment was rent to the neck. There was much laughter. But Sir Francis himself seemed incontinently unconcerned—so unconcerned that the F riace of Wales (as he then was) noticed it and asked the reason. Tho reply came with that twinkle which Sir Francis’ friends know well: “You see, Sir, I mistrusted Captain Middleton, and I took the liberty this evening of borrowing one of his evening coats!” A fairy fountain has been ordered from England by cable for the Auckland Exhibition, and it is expected to provide one of the most fantastic spectacles in coloured lighting yet seen south of the Line. It will cost Clooo, having an 80ft. circular basin, and containing water power sufficient to carry the jets to a great height, which it will be possible to yegnlate by mechanical adjustment. The president of the executive (Mr G. Elliot) explained that the fountain was being purchased out of the exhibition funds, the executive believing that it was essential to provide outstanding attractions over and above those to be supplied by the side shows. Ho expressed the opinion that after tho exhibition the Government might ho disposed to purchase the fairy fountain for the sanatorium grounds at Rotorua.

“Ghost-suppers” are the latest form of amusement, and have been held in some of our ladies’ clubs (says the Pictorian). The guests assemble at an early supper, served quite simply, where everything tends to bring the minds of those present to the subject to be discussed. Then, after the meal is over—you want fortifying for tiie sequel—the lights are turned down, and by the firelight each one tells in turn his or her ghost story, if possible a first-hand one, as this is the point of the entertainment, it is amazing what excellent stories are elicited at these functions, and even the most matter-of-fact guest warms to the occasion, and shares something of the “creepy” frame of mind requisite to lie a sympathetic participant. The most uncanny tales are generally reserved till last, and by the time the lights are turned on again to speed the departing guests, the proper “ghostly” atmosphere has been created, and everyone is afraid to go to bed.

Pe sure voir get rid of that cold! Take Tanking’s Linseed Emulsion and make certain. Price Is Gd. 2s 6d, fls Ui j.\.r bottle, at chemists and stores, x

Tl»! Borough Council has accepted the •tider of Mr C. J. Wickham for the ale, of advertising hoardings. At,he Dunedin Magistrate’s Court ■ judgitut was given for the defendant n 111(5 case > Trad© Guardian • Limitl v. A. H. Herbert (Stratford), claims for subscriptions. His Worship tilted that it was a case of >ath ; again oath. fyisave again to point out that noj noticiwhatever can be taken of anonymis correspondence where, as a ;i matti of good faith, the writer’s names not forwarded. The person for waling a letter with merely the requtk “Please publish,” will note this

ThJs pupils in shorthand and dairyjscience who are commencing withl he classes opening this evening i. l e reminded that tire former class/jill open in the main building. g,t sem o’clock and the latter in the Techml school at half-past seven.

Whi it is well known that ragwort ;>r eacls rapidly and is difficult to silicate, it is not so generally undeiioocl that this noxious weed is harml to stock. The manager of the sjatford abattoirs, in the course of%!«yersation with a reporter this morafe, remarked that occasionally theyitughtered sheep, and even pigs, with'Winton liver.” He explained that nigwort hardened the liver im'til itbecarae like leather, and in Wintj, where the weed first got hold,ffio stock were badly affected withlkis disease.

Chfren’s faces are a bright' study at alijimes and in all places, but today ijStratford there is an additional inrest attached to the countenancesff the little ones, and the reason inot hard to find. There is a frepicture matinee at His. Majesty’s ieatre, thanks to the generosity oMadame Bernard, and if there is a did in Stratford that does not knowthat “Cinderella” is to be screeid then he or she must be very dull /ileed. The subject has been the ime of the children’s chatter for c’s past and Madame Bernard will doubt derive more pleasure fromlis knowledge than from any intrina interest that the matinee migftring herself and her staff. I