LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1, 22 March 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The .Matron of the Stratford Public Hospital would be grateful for gifts of old linen for the use of the hospital.

It Ims been decided to hold the opening meeting of the Press Co gress on the first anniversary of Day, instead of November 11, 1019, as formerly proposed.

A deserter was arrested at Whangamomona this week, and it is understood in connection with the' case that prisoner's brother will he charged at the Stratford Magistrate's Court next Friday with harboring him.

That hedgehogs are becoming numerous in Palmerston (states the Standard) is shown byl the number seen this season. These animals are very useful in vegetable gardens as t.hey soon dear the place of slug?.

Sunday will be the seventy-first anniversary of the arrival of the John Wickliffe with the pioneer settlers of Otago, and commemorative services, to which the Mayor and members of the Dunedin City Council and all early settlers are invited, will be held morning and evening in First Church.

Speaking at a dinner, given 111 London to repatriated New Zealanders from Germany, Colonel Corfe, D.S.Q., of the Royal West Kents, in a very brief and soldierly speech, said that while he was a prisoner, German officers had told him that the New Zealand Division and the 9th were the two they feared most .

Farmers of the North and East Ridings will have an opportunity on Wednesday evening next of . hearing the Prohibition Question discussed in the Midhirst and Toko Halls by prominent men in their own industry, and judging by reports from South Taranaki centres the speakers who are billed can be depended upon to treat the subject in a practical manner.

The Stratford Licensed Victuallers' Association Information Bureau is now open in the old Patriotic Shop. Broadway. In a notification elsewhere special attention is directed to the clause of the "Legislature Act Amendment Act" providing that any person whose name has been removed from the roll, or who does not appear on the roll, if entitled to vote may do so on making a declaration in a statutory form. No one; therefore, need be wrongly disfranchised.

With the signing of the Pence; Treatv within measurable distance.; steps are beng taken in many centres in the Allied countries to fittingly celebrate the historic event. New Zealand is not behind in this respect, a, u l already some programmes for the! occasion are almost completed. Hawera held an enthusiastic meeting ou Thursday lo consider .irra;igements for the Peace Celebrations. Reports showed that the detailed arrangements were well under way. A sports programme and a grand convert have been approved. A report is to be presented regarding the illumination of the town. The Returned Soldiers' Association will hold a "peace ball" during celebration week. Keligious services will he held on the Sunday.

The Referendum to be taken on Thursday. .April 1(1. on the Irpior question is the topic of the hour; On page 7 of this issue uppears an interesting Announcement regarding this question.

The Stratford Electrical Supply Plant will be shut down from 8 a.m, to 4p.m. tonmoriMw 'Sunday").

In letters just received in Feilding From New Zealanders on garrison duty in Germany, it is stated that Several Feilding boys are billeted in one of the Kaiser's castle in Cologne.

Mr Jos. W. Boon, having definitely decided to stand for the Stratford Mayoralty > briefly addresses the burgesses in another column of this is-

The Taranaki Producers' Association have received notices of the allotment of butter and cheese on home liner? as follows:—Hororata : 'Wellington). ' 0.000 boxes of butter, about March 2-1; Athenic: (Wellington), !1.700 crates of cheese, about beginning of April.

A Patea scheme for a war memorial includes the formation of a new road from the sea coast to the town, the erection of an obelisk and a memorial gateway, a"d the formation of a children's playground, the. total estimated,; cost being £ISOO.

"I don't think you good people know what we will do for Taranaki when we return* to America," remarked a member of the Chautaijquw to a News reporter before leaving New Plymouth. "You nave gov scenery, resources and climate un-< equalled in any part of the world, and it will be our business to tell of,our visit here, what we have seen, and the way we have been treated. Why, your mountain sce:ery is quite beyond anything we possess, and your bush generally has a grandeur that appeals very much to all of us Americans. Chautauqua is the people's university, and before long all America will know of this hitherto unknown beauty spot in the most beautiful and hospitable country we have visited."

The Minister of Internal Affairs has announced that it had been decided to take the census of industries annually instead of at five-yearly intervals as heretofore. This decision, stated the Minister, embodied a new departure, which should in time prove of great value to the industrial community. Being required to supply statistics each year, manufacturers would become familiar with the nature of the information that was required of them, and the officers who handled the statistics would also make more informative comparisons; In effect, the statistics presented ah annual balance sheet of each industry for the dominion, and the individual manufacturer, knowing his own position '(which would not, of course, bo disclosed), would be able to see in what direction he 'was 1 above or belowthe average. /

Regarding a suitable peace memorial, a meeting of Hawera residents discussed the question, and it was decided that the sura to be aimed at, would be £15,000, probably for i\)e erection of a Guild Hall and Plunket Hostel. Speaking t 0 his own suggestion of a Guild Hall. Mr JCorrigan said the hall would contain a roll of honor of all the soldiers .of Taranaki who bad fallen in the war. The hall could also form a museum with curios and trophies secured from the held of battle. The Soldiers' Club could be erected adjacent to the hall, and in this connection he would say that it was. a disgrace that the fund for this purpose had not been wholly subscribed. He understood that there was about £3OOO in hand, and £SOOO was required. Probably the Borough Council might allow the memorial and club to bo erected on one of their reserves, charging the returned soldiers a peppercorn rent'l so a s to give them a legal t.enacy. Another meeting \a to •be held on Monday evening, when du'ti.'-t representatives will also be present.

The responsibility of the fashion of late marriages for the declining birthrate, and incidentally for other ills to the national weal, are reviewed in the polite way of the statist in an official record of'the year 1917-18 in Victoria (states an Australian paper). The age constitution of brides, it is recorded, shows a verv marked alteration in recent periods. Of every 1000 women who were married during the year under review, only 946 were under 25 years of age, as against 642 at the Corresponding age from the years 1881 to 1890. Owing to the altered age dis tribution of wives, the potential births to every 1000 marriages are fewer than hitherto. Some idea of the age constitution of the parties to these late marriages may be gleaned from the announcement that in 1917, out of 9506 brides in Victoria. 1008 were between the ages of 30 and 35, 527 between 35 and 40. 246 between 40 and 45, 181 between 45 and 50, 42 between 55 and 60, 21 between 60 and 65, and 12 between 65 and 70, whilst three of them—believers apparently in the wisdom of Shakespeare's advice, "Take not too short a time to make a worldwide bargain," took the plunge only when over 70 years of age.

Tho Supplementary Roll of Electors in connection wit.i t'.e Licensing Re-; ferendum ha s now left the printer's. ■};ai:d9, and been delivered to the Reg'" i -i- iMr Purcell). The Roll cOiita.iia 1963 names, and also part\.u r ais of 1460 napes, erased! from the Main Roll. j I An enthusiastic reception was accorded the returning soldiers who arrived in Stratford last evening. Cheers were given as the men disembarked, and the Mayor in a short address welcomed the soldiers on be-1 half of the citizens, and expressed the hope that they would have best success and happiness in the future, and i 'that the people would see that the best of treatment was given the soldiers. Cheers were given for the soldiers and wives. ,

*. "It has been the privilege of Dr. Barnado's Homes for 52 years to hold out the hand of help to every destitnte child who needs aid. Thank God, we have no red tape if a child is in need," says Mr Wm. Baker, Honorary Director, in making the Winter Appeal on behalf of Dr Barnado's Homes. He points out that the difficulties are great, and food prices are high, necessitating a large sum to keep open the doors. Ten shillings' would support an orphan child for ten days. Remittances should ie sent to Mr Baker, Dr Barnado's Homes, 18 to 26 Stepney Causeway, London, E.I.

In commemoration of those members of the Stratford Catholic Congregation who died while in the Forces, a Roll of Honor Board Ims been erected in the church, ft contain? twelve names a» under: William George Malone (kiled in action), Edmund Malone (son of the above, died of wounds), George M. Clearv (killed in action), Matthew McGlade (killed in action), John C .T. Foley (killed in action), Patrick Butler (died of sickness), Francis Kirkwood (killed in aotion), Edward R. Sexton (killed in action), August Potroz (killed in action), Edmund McLaughlin (died of wounds), Paul Dodunski (killed i. n -action), William Geogha, n .(died of sickness). The Roll is of neat sign, and is surmounted with the emiblem of the New Zealand Ensign, underneath, appearing tfl& words, "In. Piam Memoriam, 19,14H 919." The work was earned out toy Mr T. Richardson, of Mr G, Wilson's staff, and inscriptions by Mr Corfett. •.

A circular, from the Minister of Internal Affairs containing Government proposals respecting peace celebrations has been received by the Town Clerk, Stratford, (Mr P. Skoglund). The celebrations will be on the Sunday Monday and Tuesday after Peace tis proclaimed,,, the JiWfl latter days being declared public holidays, and the Government appeals to all employers to grant their employers, domestic and industrial, all possible leave during the celebrations, and to pay full wages and salaries Jfor the Peace celebration days. The Sunday will be a day of thanksgiving, appropriate services to be held in the churches, and open air services* arranged. On the second day processions consisting of Returned Soldiers, Naval Rating, Expeditionary Force-■members, Territorials Cadets e tc, is suggested. At noon'a -silent, bare-headed tribute for one minute will be paid universally to the brave and honoured dead and all trains and trams temporarily cease running, and all employment cease whilst the tribute is being paid. The third day (Tuesday) will be Children's Day, and it is recommended that the children be- given every facility for taking part. Suitable railway services will be provided, and free l'ailway fares granted to returned soldiers-and children, from rural districts to the nearest city or town. Finally, the Government impresses upon the people that the celebrations are not only a great but also a solemn event. The danger was the greatest which the liberty for which Britain stands has ever had to face. With ffne blessing of God and the asistance for our brave soldiers, we had won, and the- victory should be celebrated in a spirit of thankfulness, reverence and humility. The Government will subsidise money raised to pay the celebration expenses.

Mr-W Grant Fargie, who left with the Main Body of New Zealand Volunteers, has recently returned to Stratford, and re-established himself in his old business in York Chambers as a Land and Insurance Agent, and doubtless will 'be welcomed by othe. business men and n ld clients. Prior to his departure for the front, Mr Fargie had become very welli and favourably known, and is sure to again receive support. Mr Fargie has been re-appointe.l agent for the Victorian Insurance Company, whose special announcement will be found on page 1. -Hearts of the World" attracted a very large audience to the King's Cinema last night, when this great spectacular was shown, and was much appreciated. The ma-tinee at the King's Cinema was largely attended this afternoon, an excellent programme being screened. This will be repeated to-iugr*.

Weather forecast . The indications are for southerly winds si o:ig to gale. The weather i\i.l probably prove cold and showery. The night will probably be very cold. Baromeier rising.— Bates, Wellington.

A. Press Association telegram from Wellington this afternoon states: In the Junior National Scholarship examination for the Taranaki Education District, the following candidates reached the ordinary standard of qualifications for Junior Scholarship (62* per cent,): Alice Mary Copping (Stratford District High School), total marks 550 j. R. M. Times (Stratford District High School) 527.

Rumors that there are a good number of influenza cases in the Stratford, district have been prevalent. Enquiries from the medicos bring reassuring reports. Dr. Steven lias attended, a number of mild cases within the last few days. Dr. Doris Gordon says that recently she has met with hardly any influenza but had attended cases among children, though in these instances the sickness had not spread through the household as was the case during the epidemic. There were not. many typical cases of influenza. Arrangements have been made by the Chairman or' the School Committee (Mr J..W. Boon) to secure a spray apparatus for disinfecting the school, and this will he used .during nevt week.

There were quite a number of oorapetitors in each division for Mr W. A. Hewitt's two prizes of half-a-guinea each for the best essays on Mr Bruntnell's recent address on Prohibition. The conditions set by Mr F. Tyrer, Head-wnasiter of the Stratford; School, were that each competitor was to consider himself or herself a reporter for cne time being, and in one hour was to produce a summarised re/port of the lecturer's, address. The judges (the Rev. C. W. Howard and Mr A. E.. Copping) ihad no difficulty in awarding the prizes to "Broadway" in the High School division, and "Willie Winks" in the 1 primary division. These pupils turn out to be.'Sydney Sole and Nigel Hewitt respectively.