LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 78, 23 July 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There should bo a good contingent of Stratford people at Midhirst this evening to attend the complimentary banquet tendered by the settlers of the district to Mr Alex. Brown, who is leaving Midbirst.

The? Opunake Times states that the native nurse, Miss Muir, is having a fairly busy time in attending to sickness in the native homes. The natives have every confidence in the nurse judging by the way they seek her advice..

The Namu natives prepared for a taugi over a deceased native on Saturday night (states the Opunake Times). On Sunday the “dead man” came to life again and the sorrowing rites had to be postponed. On Sunday a number of natives arrived from other parts of the district and a bullock had been slaughtered for the occasion and a quantity of provisions obtained. A native was questioned as to what they would do with the stock of provisions: “Oh, we eat him, he die once, he no live now.”

Very properly the Mayor of Stratford, Mr W. P. Kirkwood, has convened a public meeting to be held in the Borough Council Chambers tomorrow evening at 8 o’clock, to make further protest against the suggested abolition of the Taranaki Education District. Representatives of country school districts are invited to attend, and there will undoubtedly be a very larg<4 and representative gathering.

The Whangamomona County Council invite tenders for formation on Kohi Road. Teams representing Denbigh Road and T una met in a cribbage tourney on Tuesday night, Denbigh Road winning by three games—47 to 44. A meeting of the General Committee of the A. and P. Association will be held at the secretary’s office on Saturday at 1.30. A concert consisting of part songs, choruses, etc., arranged by’ the .Young women’s Bible class, will be given in St. Andrews’ Presbyterian Hall this evening, commencing at 8 o’clock. The good work of the Acclimatisation Society is shown by the fact that tins season the secretary, Mr R. F. Harkness has paid for one pair of shag legs and eighty pairs of hawk legs. At the Huntly dog show, Master P. Brake, or Stratford, gained first prize and championship in the Skye Terrier class, and Mr J. W. McMillan took first prize and special tropny for best Airedale terrier in the show. A very successful and enjoyable social and danc«* in connection with the Stratford Croquet Club took place at the Parish Hall on Tuesday evening, when there was a large attendance, members and friends from all parts of the district being present. Tiie following will represent Stratford in a cribbage match against Xgaere at Elder’s tea rooms on Friday evening:—G. Lowe, F. Stewart, A. Xelson, G. Baker-Green, J. W. Jones, Yandle, P. Speck, W. Collins, W. Yardley, J. Sharrock, L. Sharrock, G. Kelly, F. Collins, D. McCallum. Play will start at 7.30 sharp. A general meeting of the Public Service Association was held at the Public Buildings last night, when there was a fair attendance. The election of officers and several other matters of great interest to public servants were discussed. A ballot for election of officers in the Taranaki section will be taken between 27th July and 10th August, when the formation of this section will bo completed. The annual report of the Eltham % Fire Brigade stated that the financial position of the. brigade was very satisfactory. The bazaar in aid of the funds had resulted in a net profit of £l6O. Only two fires had occurred during the, year, and very little damage had been done to either of the premises. The annual competitions had been held and proved satisfactory. The appliances of the brigade were all in good order, and the position of the brigade was very much better than formerly. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £152 Os lOd. \ A meeting of creditors in the estate of William Vincent, laborer,‘ was held yesterday afternoon at the office of the D.O.A. (Mr A. Coleman). Mr S. Spence appeared on behalf of bankrupt. Bankrupt, in his written statement, said he had been unemployed very largely during the past year and was now casually employed by the Borough Council. He had four children and hi wife was an invalid, and she had to have treatment at a pnvatq hospital. In paying for the private hospital and doctor’s attendance other accounts had got behind and as some creditors would not give him time he had to file. The statement of accounts showed that the unsecured debts amounted to £B9 l4s Bd, the only asset being household furniture valued at £lO. The D.O.A. questioned bankrupt on several points in his statement, and asked if bankrupt was prepared to make any offer to The creditors. Bankrupt said he could not see his way to offer any payment, but after discussion he agreed to pay £1 per month until 5s in the pound is paid.