LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 303, 21 December 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

—ll.l ■ 11 1 — The Borough Council offices will he closed from noon on Thursday next until Wednesday, January 6th, 1915.

The Press Association reports that the Government has decided that all public service and teachers’ pensions are to bo paid on December 24th.

Eltham reports, per Press Association William Gordon, a single man, was found drowned in the Kapuni river to-day. There are no details available.

The moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly (Rev. A. Grant) has fixed January 3rd as a day of prayer and intercession for the war.—P.A.

A Sydney cablegram states-that the total of the Rose Day street collection for united charities was about £llOO, being less than half of last year’s total.

Members of the., Defence Corps are reminded of the parade at the Defence Office this evening at 7.30. A meeting of the Committee will be held at the close of the drill.

The percentage (15 per cent.) of the net gate at the chop on Saturday to the Belgian Fund amounting to 13s 6d, and the Domain Board levy of 10 per cent, amounted to 10s.

Probably the finest enclosed saltwater baths in the Dominion, with dressing rooms, shower boths, etc., will be available to patrons of the West End beach picnic at New Plymouth on Boxing Day.

a final reminder is given to owners and trainers that acceptances for the first day’s races at the Stratford Racing Club’s New Year Meeting (to be held on January Ist and 2nd, 1915), close this Monday (evening) at 9 p.m., with the secretary, Mr Alfred Coleman. It has also to be borne in mind that the Stratford Telegraph Office closes at 8 p.m.

A Wellington Press Association telegram to-day 1 states; At the letter-car-riers’ dinner, Mr O. 1). McEwan, in proposing the toast of “The Government,” made some remarks on the possibility of a Coalition Ministry, and the Hon. Mr Allen (Minister of Defence), in responding, referred' to the remarks. Ho said he was not there to say anything about the possibilities. He pointed out that the parties were very even. He was not able to say anything. Whatever contingencies might result, ho was certain the country, almost as one person, would back up the Ministry so long as it was answering to the call which came from New Zealand and the Empire.

Chatting to a “Stratford Evening Post” reporter, Mr W. L. Kennedy stated that two days before leaving England for New Zealand, on the 21st October to- be precise, lie visited the Islington Winter Dairy Show: The dairy exhibits from Australia and South Africa were very fin'e, but he had inquired in vain for anything from New Zealand. Of course, said Mr Kennedy, it was a bit early for our butter, but there might have been cheese and other dairy produce exhibited—and ..also our milking machines, which are easily ahead of anything of their kind in the world. But no; here, as everywhere, New Zealand is not advertised, and even New Zealand cheese is being sold in shops as Canadian.

Quite a deal of interest centred round the £SO chop in Victoria Park on Saturday. Always allowing for the public favor shown to the local man, and the fact that he was the chillenged, Ned Shewry’s win was very popular. At the outset, the idea that it was a “slinter,” or an arranged affair, as was heard on the ground, must be scouted. The first log was the 12-inch, and this Shewry jumped through in 39 seconds, which was fair time for the timber, Peek wanting » few blows to put his through. The 15-inch was through in 1.10 by Shewry, and in this Pech had decidedly har'd Inch. He won the toss (hip only pick), and when going well—in fact it premised to be the best go—he struck a knot in the first scarf, which cost him the event. The opinion that Pech would come out winner in the 18-inch was general, but Shewry also landed it in 1.58. the best time of the three chops. The timber was not the best, and the times wore necessarily slow. Mr G. Hunter was timekeeper.

Owing to a serious case at the hospital, the musical performance by the Municipal Band to have been given in the grounds yesterday was postponed. Weather Forecast —Southerly strong winds to gale prevailing. The weather will probably prove squally, with heavy showers and probably much colder. Barometer rising soon. The two-year-old son of William McMillan, of Dannevirke, was found lying beneath the gate at his father’s residence with his neck dislocated. It is presumed (states the Press Association) that the child fell off the gate. There are 38,797 acres of lend m this country planted in fruit-trees, 2947 acres of which were planted last season. It is expected that 3197 acres will fie planted this season, states the Journal of Agriculture. One of the members who recently left Stratford for the front, on receiving a telegram to he ready, had to make a terribly rough journey of twenty three miles from the hack blocks through the rain so as to catch the morning mail. This is but one instance of many who are enthusiastic to he amongst those now volunteering for service in the defence of their country.

The rapid development of the main industries of New Zealand is veil demonstrated by contrasting the value of the exportation twenty-five years ago and that of last year. The wool shipped abroad increased from £3,115,008 to £8,057,620, frozen meat from £628,800 to £4,449.933, and dairy produce from £197,180 to £3,831,948, the total increase under the three headings being from £3,940,988 to £16,339,501, or over 300 per cent.

Mr George Sangster, chairman of the Stanley Road school committee, has received the following letter from the Belgian Vice-Consul Wellington, 16th December, 1914.-—‘T have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 14th inst., enclosing cheque for £6 6s 6d in aid of Belgian distress. The self-denial of the children attending your school shows clearly the wide-spreading effect of a great example. The patriotism of the Belgian people has inspired in this distant; land many acts similar to that of the pupils of the Stanley Road School. Belgium has shown once more to the world the truth of the maxim that even death is preferable to dishonour. If New Zealanders in the future act with the same feeling as your school children have shown in this case their country will always maintain a high place among the world’s nations. Please accept for yourself and convey to your pupils the thanks of the Belgian King and Nation for their generosity and thoughtfulness. The amount will be publicly acknowledged.—l am, etc., J. F. Johnston, Vice-Consul.”