LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 28, 28 December 1917, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

' The Canadian Department of Agriculture is endeavoring to extend the corn belt by developing frost-prool cereals. i “We seem the sleepiest council in New Zealand, bar none,” said Cr, Hdl at last week’s meeting of the Gisiorne Borough Council, reports the Herald ; “we ought to be up and doing.” The highest percentage- of the casualties to the French army in the present war wa5 1 5.41 at the battle ol Charleroi and the Marne. Takihg the four half periods of 1910 and 191 (i, the percentages have been successively 2.39, 1.68, 1.47, and 1.28. ‘

The dux of tlie Apia school, GeorgWaugh, sou of the chairman of th school committee, is only 12 years o age and is an exceptionally clever lad, says the Feildiug Star. He is good at lioth school work and athletics, and his father says he milks eight cows ; day with evident zest for the work.

! A telegram from Sale, Gippsland, t< tlio Australian papers states that resi - dents of Seaspray declare that on •more than one occasion they have 1 seen very strong red lights in tl e direction of Carrajjung Hills. 'Hie i belief exists that a signalling apparatus is installed there, ;

| At the Albnry (N.S.AV.) police i-bun John M‘Mahon was charged with unlawfully assaulting May M‘Dcnal'l, better known as “Jockey Jack.” Complainant, who was dressed in male at tire, stated that defendant threw an ancient egg at her, but’ shf her head. Defendant was fined Cl.

The Sydney Daily Telegraph reports that Morgan, Icing of the Dyraaba blacks, died at station last week, and was by vied with aboriginal rites, over 200’ of his-101-; lowers attending and making a great noise. Morgan was said tb be over 1.00 years, of age. At one time he was a great drunkard, but be took the pledge some years ago, and never drank since.

; The American Food Administrator is inviting every woman in the United.' (States to sign the following pledge:— 1. To eat one meatless meal, a; da\. 2. To eat beef, mutton, or pork not more than once a day*. 3. To economise in the use of butter. 4. To cut my daily allowance of sugar in tea or coffee and in other ways. 5. To eat more vegetables, fruit and fish. 6. To urge in my own home or the restaurant I frequent the necessity of 1 economy. A shocking mountain fatality resulting in two deaths occurred under peculiar circumstances at Blackheath (N.S.W.) on Sunday, the 16th inst. Mrs Hide and her sister-in-law, Miss Huie, were visitors to Blackheath and members of a party of twelve inspecting the Grand Canyon. They had lunched at the foot of Xeato’s Glen, and were resting, when suddenly a. giant tree, its roots becoming loosened, crashed on to some rocks just above the party. It smashed in halves, and the trunk, falling on the party, killed Mrs and Miss Hide instantly, at the same time inflicting severe injuries upon a four-year old hoy named Jenkins. Constable Coleman, with the assistance of a party, raised the bodies from the foot of the canyon—a difficult task, in view of the thousands of steps tip which they had to be conveyed. The women’s bodies were removed to Sydney for burial at Manly, and Jenkins was conveyed to his mother's home in Govett’s Leap Rond, his condition being critical.