LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 85, 31 March 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The next mail for the United Kingdom arid Europe via Brindisi and Naples, eloses at the local post office on Thursday at 2.30 p.m.

To-day is the 73rd anniversary of the landing of the first batch of immigrants to Taranaki. Several of those who arrived in the first boat, the William Bryan' are still alive. The day is being observed as a strict holiday in New Plymouth and, some of the neighbouring towns, hut in Stratford the hanks and Magistrate's Court alone are specially observing the anniversary. '*

The New Zealand Honey Producers' Association has recently completed the purchase for cash of the business, apiaries, and goodwill of Mr W. Lenz, Masterton. A Press Association message from Hawera states that the purchase includes twelve hundred colonics of Italian bees at present located around Masterton, and that these will probably be brought, to Taranaki.

Mr James Halligan, stock inspector, now of Wobdville, hut who was formerly stationed at Stratford, was in the act of shooting a diseased beast on a farm at Konini the other morning, and when he pulled the trigger of the rifle the cartridge exploded, and the powder came out through the breach, exploding in his eyes and face. Mr Halligan was taken to Pahiatua, where the doctor removed a considerable quantity of powder from the right eye. The injuries were of a very painful nature, and it will be some weeks before Mr Halligan will be able to resume duty.

Tt is significant (says the Manaia Witness) that Eltham among the towns interested in [.lie railway route is placidly and tranquilly quiescent, and amid all the dust and noise of protest, is observing What looks very much like a well contended reticence. Some time ago the Argus fiercely menaced the member for Eltham for his- supposed inaction and indifference to the interests of the budding township in the matter of the railway route, and warned him that if the Commissioners' route was adopted Eltham would have to put up its shutters—for which he would be held responsible. But this catastrophe has now been averted, and Eltham is

happy listening to the howls of the other disappointed and despairing townships.

The successful tenderer for the special heating plant shortly to be installed at Bernard's Theatre is the firm of Messrs McMillan and Fredric, of Broadway.

Dr. Paget was the purchaser of the private hospital property put up to auction by Mr Newton King on Saturday. The private hospital will therefore be carried on as heretofore.

So far, there are three candidates

for the two vacancies on the Stratford County Council caused by the resignation of the East Riding representatives—Messrs W. H. Were and E. Walter. The late members will again offer their services and Mr X. B. Fryday will also be a candidate. Mr Fryday was in attendance at the meeting at Toko last night and took an active part in the proceedings at question time. Nominations close to-inor-

An act of criminal callosity fortunately rare is recorded by the Sydney Daily Telegraph. About 9 o'clock on Saturday night, 21st inst., just after a heavy downpour fo rain, Mr Thomas Shoal, of Pennant-hills-road, Parramatta, was walking with a companion along Marine-parade from Shelly Beach, when he heard a- cry. Investigation revealed a baby boy, six months old. wet through lying in the grass at the side of the path. The infant was taken to Mrs Quinn's Refreshment Rooms, and after being bathed, clothed, and fed, was given to Mrs Lorenz, a neighbor, who took care of him for the night. On Sunday the police took the baby to the Benevolent Asylum.

The motion by the "Wellington City Council to set aside the arbitrators' awards in the leases *f J, B. Harcourt, Hall and Knight, Aitken and Wilson, Kirkealdie and Stains, and George and Kersley, on the ground that the rentals were too low, was resumed at the Supreme Court before'the Chief Justice this morning. The properties are situated on Lambton Quay and adjoining thoroughfares in the City area (states the Press Association), and the rentals range from £2 15s to £5 a foot. After Mr Martin, for the Corporation, had replied to Mr Skerrett, for the lessee:;, His Honor reserved his decision.

A Victorian State school teacher named John Bunting Heward, of Lang Lang, was awarded £2OO damages for libel in a case brought recently against Alfred H. Blake, or the same town. The action was based on a memorial sent to the Min. ister for Education signed by defendant and some 22 other residents of the district, making certain allegations against plaintiff, in his capacity as head teacher of Lang Lang school. While it was admitted that the occasion was privileged, plaintiff alleged that an agitation against him had been maliciously instituted by the defendant in order to drive Mm out of the district. The defences were that the occasion was privileged, . that there was no malice, and that the words were true in substance and. in fact.

Tito Mattei, the celebrated ' composer and conductor, is <'ead. : states a London cablegram. Tito 1 Mattei was born at Campobasso. near Naples, on May 24, 1841, thus being 73 years of age at his death. Fro it his ea»-"'y youth, Mattei showed remarkable musical ability. 1 At 11 year.-, or age, he was named Professor of the Santa Cecilia Academy in Zliaie, and was a member of several philhar nonic societies. He gave his first concw* on 2Sth September, 1846, and afterwards made several tours of Italy, France and England, retunrng to Italy in 1853, when he plaved before Pope Leo IX. He finally settled in London in 1863. His publications include hundreds of songs and pianoforte pieces and several operas, many of them very popular. "Oh! Oh! Hear the Wild Wind Blow!" "Dear Heart," and "For the Sake of the Past," were among his best known, songs.