STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue XXXXII, 29 January 1900, Page 2

STRATFORD.

(prom our own correspondent. )

The Patriotic Fund has taken on here as well as elsewhere. Donations amounting to about £6O have been given, On Wednesday, at the Amatour Dramatic Society's performance, Miss Steuart recited "The Absent-minded Beggar," which brought in £3 15s. Last night the performance was repeated, and the proceeds wore for the fund. The ball was crowded, and Miss Steuart again recited, in a splendid manner," The Absent-minded Beggar," bringing the audience to their sonses and tho money out of tbeir pockets to the extent of £ls odd.

The fatal day for Stratford has been fixed for Thursday, Februa-y lit, 1900. Oq that day tbo forces will rally at t.he ballot-box to accept or reject the proposal to borrow .£28,900. Whether che Stratford burghfw will follow the example of New Plymouth and follow the lead of the progressives is hard to say. If past progress is any criterion of future prosperity, then £30,000 will be a small sum to Stratford ratepayers in a few years. Matters ecclesiastical have been to the fore here for the last few weeks. The Primitive Methodist Conference large number of clerics to tjie town. I notice that the Rev. S. S. Osborne has been up for his annual trip; also a stranger from Auckland is here supplying for Rev. N. D. Bjyee, who is away for a holiday. Tha Prosbyterians, I hear, had their annual meeting this week. Their financial report was very satisfactory. Their total income from all sources was about .£3OO. A year ago they decided to pay 6 off £2OO mortgage on the manse, and then see about a new church. They piid off £IOO, and have something in hand towards the second hundred. Now they ore thinking of building. Evidently they are beginning to think that thoir church, is so much like a barn that strangers looking for the church would overlook the present structure. The site is about the best in Stratford, and a good church on it would bo an ornament to the town. The Loan and Mercantile have nearly finished their commodious premises, j They are alreidy getting ia stock. The : general opinion, even of sanguine Stratfordians, is that the premises will not require enlarging for a while. I Times ha veohanged. Wo hive right at the station entrance a now shop for Mr. T. Mercer, hairdresser, etc., and behind it a billiard-room. A few years ago such a position would have been occupied by a pub. Pubs still exist, and they sell, and people do get drunk, as appeared from the business of the Police Court the other day, when four 4 5s and one 103 fines were inflicted fop drunkenness.