LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 57, 23 October 1914, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Executive Committee of the A. and P. Association meets at 7.30 this evening.

Mr A. G. Glass, of Tekawhata, has been chosen as the Liberal candidate for Franklin.—P.A.

A London cablegram states that the judges at the Dairy Show highly commended the general excellence of the Colonial butters.

The Bank of Australasia has declared an interim dividend of 7 per cent, on preference and ordinary shares. '

Abbut noon to-day it was reported that the Borough Council's safe had been opened, all the contents being found intact and in good condition.

Weather Forecast.—Southerly moderate to strong winds prevailing with westerly tendency. The weather will probably prove cold and changeable. Barometer has a rising tendency.

At the Masterton Court to-day George F. Sievers pleaded guilty to embezzling various sums belonging to the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., and was committed to the Wellington Supreme Court for sentence.—P.A.

Mr T. C. Fookes, who is returning to New Zealand from his trip to Britain by the Blue Funnel liner Ulysses, arrived safely in Adelaide yesterday. He expects to be back in Stratford early next month.

Trooper Clement MeDermott, from Waiuku, Auckland, a member 'of the Expeditionary Force, died in the Wellington Hospital yesterday from measles and pneumonia, aged 20. The body was sent north to-day, telegraphs the Press Association .

In another part of this issue the Fire Brigade acknowledge with thanks tlie receipt of cheques from Messrs Fussell and Lewers, and thank Mr and Mrs Crawshaw for supplying refreshments to the Brigade during the fire. In forwarding his cheque Mr Fussell staled that the present was the second occasion on which the Brigade had saved his rooms from fire.

A member of the Fire Brigade who lives on the south side of tho river had to be personally called out of hf-d this morning, and he is loud in denouncing the southern boll as being, altogether insufficient to give an alarm. No doubt any complaint there may be in this direction will be gone into along with other matters which the fire lias emphasised. Messrs Webster, Dobson and Co., the well-known auctioneers had their office totally destroyed by the fire in the Municipal Buildings last night. The firm has, however, arranged for' temporary offices in the premises or Messrs W. M. Bayly and Co., by tho kind permission of that firm, and will carry on business there"as usual until further notice.

The room offered to the Borough Council by Mr P. Thomson is found to be amply sufficient for the purpose of a temporary Borough office, and it is expected that the Council's business will bo carried ,611 there until new permanent offices are provided.

There was a small muster of the infantry section of the Rifle Club at the drill last night,, but advantage was taken of this fact to give trie men exercise in \ movements not too well executed at the last parade, marked improvement being shown. The next drill is to be held next Tuesday evening. There was an excellent muster at the mounted parado in the afternoon.

At the Police Court this morning (states the Press Association), Edward Cowan was charged with haying left a packet containing matches in a prison yard for the prisoners. For the prosecution it was explained that accused went to the gaol to see a prisoner, but as he was under the influence of liquor he was ordered off the premises. He was seen later making signals to the upper windows of the gaol, and search disclosed a package of matches marked for a particular prisoner. Accused had served a sentence previously. The Magistrate sen. fenced him to a months' hard labor.

At the Christehurch Court to-day Ernest Birdling, who previously posed as a detective in the North Island, was charged with obtaining board and lodging to the extent of £lO 8s by false pretences at the Clarendon hotel. The police said that Birdling was dismissed from the Expeditionary Force at Wellington and came to Christchurch, still wearing the uniform, and told the licensee that he was the bearer of socret despatches and nothing should he said of his mission—the Department would pay expenses. Subsequently he left and the licensee discovered the fraud. Birdling was convicted and ordered to refund the amount and report to the police every fortnight.