LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 62, 16 March 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The sum of £2 2s 6d was collected bp the Eltham Band at the Stratford Mountain House on Sunday. The money will go. towards the Band funds.

At the meeting of ratepayers in the Town Hall last night His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. P.'Kirkwood), in discussing the proposed new municipal offices, said they would be an architectural feature of Broadway. It was to be regretted, he said, considering the volume of trade done in Stratford, that so many of the business premises were unpretentious in appearance. Representatives of large commercial houses had assured him that for its population Stratford was the best commercial town between Wellington and Auckland. Judging by the number of commercials who regularly visited Stratford, he continued, there must be something in the contention. In any case Stratford was falling behind from the point of view of the erection of architectural buildings. There was no doubt that in this resjieet first-class buildings attract the people. "My own opinion," he continued, "is that later, and in the near future, when buildings are being erected, every endeavour should be made for an improvement. The railway property on the west side of Broadway has probably something to do with the fact that better buildings have not been erected. In that connection I believe it would pay the Railway Department to sell these sections. I believe they would bring £IOO a foot. It would be a good thing for the railway and a good thing for Stratford.'

! An endeavour is being made to establish a coursing club in this district, and to this send, a meeting will be held in the A. and P. office on Thursday night. The Committee of the Croquet and Lawn Tennis Garden Fete being held to-day desire to acknowledge gifts from the following—Messrs 11. Richardson, T. Brown, W. S. Cato, and L. On Kee.

Weather forecast.—The indication* are for moderate to strong winds. There is a prospect of fine weather., days bright and nights cold. The barometer has a rising tendency.— Hates, Wellington.

The Port Chalmers Council agreed to support the Ennanga Borough Council's protest regarding the increased price of foodstuffs, and to seek the co-operation of the member for the district with a view to urging the Government to secure relief (reports the Press Association).

The Stratford'Operatic Society held a practice last evening, when about fifty members were present, and excellent work was done. As the practice of "Merrie England," which is the opera the Society will shortly stage, proceeds, the more the music is being f

appreciated. The opera is also said to have a fine vein of patriotism running through it. The next rehearsal will be held on Thursday evening, at 7.30.

The Christevhureh city council last night discussed the question of the rise in the food prices. The Press Assiciation states that Cr Burgongui, in moving a resolution of protest against the recent big advance, said there were more men in this country acting in a traitorious way by exploiting the public, <\..d if he had his way they would be all arrested and shot. Other councillors spoke in a similar strain, 'and the resolution was carried.

Owing to the increased cost of material the farriers of Stratford and surrounding districts notify that they have been compelled to increase the price of horse-shoeing, such increase to take place as from March 20th. It is ' only fair to the local farriers to state that the scale of prices now' to bo adopted only brings their rates up to the scale adopted by the Wellington District Master Farriers' Association in 1912. It provides for a charge of 6s 6d for shoeing hacks and light haruess horses, 7s 6d for heavy harness and light draught horses, and 9s for heavy draughts, toes and heels.

Writes a correspondent: Sunday was an ideal day, and was taken advantage of by many for various purposes, the principal ones being, firstly: To pay a visit to Mt. Eginont, and secondly, to gather blackberries. The first attracted a good crowd from various parts, some spending the day at the House listening to the sweet strains of music discoursed by the visiting EJtham Brass Band, others, who were looking for exercise, beauty spots, and wonderful scenery, got all they desired in ascending (and attempting to ascend) the summit of glorious Egmont. The second purpose brought out large numbers in search of fruit for the inner man. Vehicles of all descriptions, including motor cars, gigs, traps, cyclists, horsemen, four-wheelers, and ''padders" of the hoof," could be seen travelling in a northerly direction and settling in localities en route. They returned home. Tike the "busy bee," well loaded. The "berries" were in prolific profusion, and no trouble was encountered in filling the various articles taken. There was only one fault in connection with this outing, and that was scratched hands and a plentiful supply of thorns, the latter playing great havoc, and occupying a good deal of trouble and patience in removing them. As far as the fruit was concerned, one party alone easily gathered ISOlbs, without appearing to make even an impression on the bushes, others secured larger, and some smaller quantities.