LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 56, 9 June 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A hunt was hold under the auspices of tehe North laranaki Hunt Club, on -Mr A. W. Budge’s property at Inglewood yesterday. The weather was very unfavourable when the hounds left tile kennels, but it cleared up later in the day. I here was a large attendance and a number of good jumpers participated. All present voted yesterday’s to he the ‘‘run of the season.” Visitors stated that Mr Budge’s Inglewood farm was a magnificent property, and with the cordial reception they received, hunters had “the time of their lives/’ There was only a poor attendance ol Stratford huntsmen at yesterday’s hunt and opinion was expressed that there was not enough interest being taken locally in the sport.

In his speech at the opening ol the Municipal Chambers last night, Mr Jonas Masters touched on the matter of the leasing of the Council’s shops and offices. He commenced by saying that Stratford people had reason to be proud of the new building. Ho believed it would be self-supporting, that was to say, there would he sufficient to pay the interest on the cost -—“if the Council works it rikht!” ho added, “as it could hardly he expected to pay just at first.” He threw out the suggestion that the tea rooms should be let cheaply for a term which would eventually mean that the offices would be snapped up. When people saw that the public largely frequented the building, they would take up the rentals and pay a fair price when they were able to give up their old leases. It was out of the question to expect people to get out of their old premises—where, perhaps, they had been doing business for years—before they knew how tho public viewed the new position. Every office was practically a strong room, as the building was fire-proof. In support of his suggestion re the tea room, Mr Masters said he believed it would pay tho Council to let it at even £2 a week. Once the tearoom was let, the time would not be far distant alien the whole of the offices would also be tenanted.

The annual meeting of the Taranaki School Committee’s Association was held in New Plymouth yesterday, when Mr S. G. Smith presided < vcr a fair attendance of delegates. '! he Mayor (Mr C. H. Burgess) tendered the delegates a welcome on behalf of the citizens of the town. . The annuli report and balance-sheet were read

and adopted without discussion. Alter some discussion, the following resolution was carried: That information be obtained from tbe Education authorities showing (a) what occupations children leaving school desire or are desired to enter, and (h) as far as may be practicable the occupations for which the children show aptitude. On the motion of the Rev. A. B. Chappell it was unanimously decided that the conference affirm the desirability of a uniform set of school hooks throughout the Dominion. A motion in favour of the periodical transfer of inspectors wifs also carried. Mr Reid (Fitzroy) introduced the subject of the desirability of reesthlishing the primary schools’ cadet system, and it was decided that tho Department be asked to re-es-tablish the junior cadet system. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted: President, Mr S. 0 Smith; vice-presidents, Messrs Dolby (New Plymouth), Mildenhall (Opunake); Corbett (Otaki), Inglewood, Waitara, Whangamomona left open; Bocock ’(Stratford); committee, Rev. Chappell, Messrs A. K. Smart, Lister and H. Grayling; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. G. Reid. Votes of thanks to the Mayor for his address of welcome, to the Borough Council for the use of the room and to the executive terminated the meeting. |

Fire has played no small pprt in ■ the, progress of Stratford, if no may j judge from the remarks of one of thespeakers at the opening ceremony in the Municipal Chambers last evening. Mr Jonas Masters, with quaint humor, showed that every time changes were necessary in the, council build-, ings and alterations were being con-j templated, a lire happened along m a most convenient way! Mr Mastexs threw out no hint or insinuation against any of the councillors, hut merely stated it as a fact! His lc 'j marks ran somewhat as follows;) “Stratford’s progress has been of an evolutionary nature —in this way, that each time we wanted a building wo bad a lire, and then we were compelled to build! ' Twenty-one years ago the Council was housed in the old Town Hall, which was hack thiicv feet from the street, with dimensions 40 x 50. They employed one man to look after the streets then, and to that work was added the duties of inspector of works and inspector of nuisances. < Laughter). All this was done for seven bob a day! That was in the good old times!—(Renewed laughter). Then thy formation ol the ; Town Board into a Municipality followed and they wanted a new building; so a fire came along and we got one! j Twelve promises were burned down that time, including the town hall, a bank, and a new hotel. Cater, as the place progressed, they discussed a proposal to enlarge the municipal olfices; however, nothing definite was decided upon, but just as they had made up their minds something would have to lie done, another lire came!— ■ Laughter). In fact, we have had to build, and rim; have made progress. The present building is a great credit tii the town, but many years would have elapsed before we would have bad such as this if tin* li’ - '.' ol October 1 1 . 191 I. bad not oeitrital.”

i The W.C.T.U., Xgaero, held then monthly meeting on Tuesday, at Mia Whiltarn’s, Finnerty Hoad. There was a large attendance, and usual business was dealt with. The report of the Provincial Convention was read by delegate. A letter from Mrs LeoCowie was read from the White Ribbon.

The. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency’s London office cables: Tho wool sales closed firm compared with May. Merino superior and lambs realised 7-J to 10 per cent ; medium to inferior 10 to 15 per cent.; cross-bred, fine greasy, 5 per cent. ; medium anl lambs and siipc 5 per cent; scoured 5 to V-J- per cent, higher.

An air of complacence pervaded tho gathering in the Council Chambers in the new municipal buildings last evenin;l; at the general excellence of the fittings in the building. Specially does this refer to the well-finished chairs and oval table where the future deliberations of the Council will be heard, and rather more than the passing compliment of Cm speakers may he recorded, as the workmanship was quite equal to articles of their kind which are turned out by the largest city firms. It is noteworthy that the finished goods we-° manufactured in Stratford, tho fo „:er being the product of Evans an i rich bon, Regan Street, and the latter by the Excelsior Furnishing Co., 'hose premises are situate in South .Broadway