LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 12, 14 May 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The April gold yield for West Australia was 102,6090z5., valued at £435,.855.

A well-known New Zealander who is at present at Home invalided on account of wounds received in the neighbourhood of Ypres, writing to his family, states that he has in his possession a curiosity in the shape ol a bayonet which he obtained from a dean German. The bayonet has a hook on one side of it about half way down, the purpose of which can perhaps be imagined. The foes Britain is fighting are evidently more like wild beasts than human beings.

Tho most interesting feature of the naturalisations in Victoria last month is the fact that eleven Germans and one Austrian took the oath of allegiance to the King. Of these, however, eight were over 60 years of age, and. being beyond fighting age, they were granted naturalisation. They had also been in the Commonwealth for many years. A ninth was a woman who had lost her nationality by marrying a German. The other two Germans arrived in Australia as infants, and they were now married to Australian women. The Austrian was also an elderly man. Tho total number of persons naturalised during the month was 136. All, but six were men. There have been 639 naturalisations since the beginning of the year.

An old Scot came down from the Highlands to visit his son, a student at Edinburgh University. Together they attended a learned lecture, in the course of which the professor‘frequently refererd to the wonderful part microbes play iu human existence. On the way out the son asked his father how he liked the lecture. “1 dinna ken whit male’s him pit sae mnckle stress on what the Mcßobes hae done,” replied the old man. “I’ve no heard o’ them afore, hut 1 ken ae thing—they’ve never done whit th’ MacGregors an’ th’ Macphersons hae accomplisht, an’ there lives no siccan a glorious elan as th’ Cam’ells in a’ th’ warld!”

A visitor from the East, now in Wellington, who is versed in Chinese customs, lias been astonished at seeing the Chinese witnesses in Wellington police courts being sworn by the blowing out of a match. He states that, although lie has been necessarily present in various courts in the East, he had never pievionsly heard of such a procedure. Being an expert Chinese linguist he questioned some of the local Chinese about the matter, and they did not understand the meaning of the match episode, but believed it was “some foreign custom.” The visitor states that in the British colony of Hong Kong the Chinese witnesses merely make an affirmation after the court interpreter. He thinks the subject should occupy the attention ol the local authorities, as the oath from a Chinese standpoint is not nnderst od.

Notice to make returns of income on or before-Juno 2nd, 1915, is ,given by tiie Commissioner of Taxes, A cablegram from Adelaide states that there has been a steady soaking lain over the whole State, it being the most valuable rain the State has received for years. Local troopers of the Mounted Regiments who have been in camp at Waverley, including Captain J. B. Mine, M.P., returned to their homes to-day, having put in about a fortnight’s work.

During April arrivals in New Zealand from oversea totalled 1702, and departures 2458. The corresponding figures for April last wore 2910 and 4128. These figures do not include members of the expeditionary forces.

“Happily for New Zealand,” remarked the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), in the Supreme'Court yesterday, “female offenders are now very rare—perhaps fewer than in any part of the world. That is very much to the credit of New Zealand women.”

The following were the values of the principal products of export during the week ended May 11th:—Butter £2,444. cheese £34,457, frozen lamb £65,775, frozen mutton £74,648, frozen beef, etc. £20,582, gold £19,936. grain and pulse £7,629,hides and skins £25.926, flax and tow £4,130, tallow £34,558, wool £273,857.

Weather forecast.—The indications are for southerly moderate to strong winds prevailing. There is a prospect of fair to cloudy weather. The night will probably be vor ycold with frosts inland. Barometer little movement but falling after about 24 hours.— Bates, Wellington,