LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 25, 30 September 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Arrangements are well in hand for the conference of delegates to the New Zealand Employers’ Federation, to j held in Wellington towards the end of next month. Much important business will be dealt with at the meeting, including matters arising in- connection with the Conciliation and Arbitration Bill.

In sentencing an habitual criminal at tho Napier Supreme Court sessions, Mr Justice Edwards remarked: “You • will be under the direct supervision of tho Prisons Board, a most benevolent body, presided over by the Chief Justice of the Dominion, a most kindly and benevolent gentleman.”

In connection with the Westland goldfields jubilee in January next it has been decided to erect a pioneers’ me'mhrial in Hokitika at a point where the north, south, and east main roads of Westland meet. The memorial will consist of the figure of a miner in the early-day garb, standing on a pedestal. The figure will be of marble and life sized, and will be erected on a granite pedestal—the total height of the monument being nearly 18ft.

“Is it intended to increase the license fees in connection with lady anglers?” asked an enthusiast at a recent meeting of the Dannevirke Angling Club. “For goodness sake don’t!” remarked another. “My wife cost me more for tackle last season than the value of all the fish in the stream !” lie remarked amidst roars of laughter, *

The Stratford Rifle Club will open the season 1 on Thursday after min with: a friendly shoot, and the committee - are desirous: of seeing on the range < all old members , and as many new ;.; members as This season a - challenge shield will be competed for by Taranaki rifle clubs, and with the idea of securing this shield a® a mate for the Ranfurly Shield the local rifle club have decided to start hard practice.

Regarding the, performance of the , “Sunflower Minstrels” which, is, totake place in the Town Hall, Stafford, on Thursday, October 2nd, a cor- , respondent writes:—Sir, —l read in your paper to-day that the “Sunflower Minstrels” are coming to Stratford on Thursday night. As I happen to have witnessed their performance at Inglewood and Waitara, I should like to say that a more laughter-provoking entertainment could scarcely be imagined. Many of the songs are quite artistic in their humor, and moreover, oven Mrs Grundy would not find a flaw in them.—Yours, faithfully. “Scrivener,”

A Napier Press Association wire states: Mr W. J. Geddis, editor and managing director of the New Zealand Times, left for ■ Wellington by the mail train to-day. Prior to his departure Ife was served with a writ as one, of the owners of the Auckland Observer, charging him on the information of the Hon. A. L. Herdman, Attorney-General, for contempt of Court in connection with the publication of certain cartoons. The writ is similar to the one served upon Mr William Blomfield, of Auckland.

That the medical student’s love of a joke is mot ja thing of the past is shown b ya hoax perpetrated recently on an Atlantic liner by a number of eminent American doc tore. While a masquerade was in progress one of the doctcors suddenly rushed ’ forward. “Stop the music,” he cried. “Dr. Fitzgibbon has been taken seriously ill. An operation may he necessary.” Instantly ■ the music stopped. The dancers went slowly and with hushed steps to the dining-room, where Dr. Fitzgibbon lay, white-faced and groaning heavily. A consultation was rapidly held, and it was decided that, although there was no hope for the patient, an operation would be tried. Fifteen medical men stood round the patient. Two of their number, dressed in operating clothes, with gloved hands and muffled faces, dipped their instruments in the antiseptic, and one of the doctors made an incision. Men held their breath and women gasped. The surgeon’s hand came out. The awed spectators gradually became aware that he held an enormous ham. Apples, grapes, a loaf of bread, and a pineapple next appeared. But it was only when the patient sat up and in deep tones demanded a glass'of beer that the semihysterical onlookers realised that they had been hoaxed. The grave and reverend leaders of American medicine had enacted a mighty “bluff.”