STRATFORD NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 316, 16 February 1910, Page 8

STRATFORD NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent). Stratford. February 1,1 | Whether one hundred and thin.veight pounds is to be regarded as a large sum or not is dependent upon circumMances. To some people j(, means a year's income, to others it would be opulence ami "the wealth of both (he Indies." whilst to the Trust 1 magnate it would only snllice to p av :t small portion of a dinner bill. I n this 1 instance it is the revenue—or. tu ie. ■precise, supplemented with a few odd i Shillings and pence—of the Stratford j Domain Board. With it they are ex-' pected to do much; and they succeed! in their genteel poverty in" spinningi out their scanty means.' Stratford is fortunate in the possession of recrea-i tion grounds; they are extensive m area, in part barren of adornment, in i part still clad with native shmbberv' .and capable of development into picturesque gardens and pleasure resorts. Tn King Edward Park, through whieh the river Hows, Stratford possesses a! natural endowment tiie true value of which has yet to be realised. It may not possess the charms and the picturesque beauties of hill and dale and lake which have made the New Plvmouth gardens a household world, but it could, nevertheless, be made an attraction for visitors and a source of pride to' the residents of the town. To accomplish this requires money, more than the annual revenue of the Board, who must at times, when the lack of funds precludes the carrying out of d> sired improvements, experience the senNations of the .Israelites when called up.OM to make bricks without straw. One hundred and thirty-eight pounds, with ...which to maintain many acres of reserves nnd to beautify a'natural park! Truly, the members of the Board have a hard task, and the residents have to bt i thankful that people are forthcoming to undertake the duties. There ar<\ however, signs that the public are awakening to the fact that well-keot gardens, or grounds, or park, are nn asset to a town. The Borough Council has shown a disposition to act and the suggestion has been made that Hie Council take over the functions of the Domain Board. There will doubtless b fi many who oppose the idea, and, on the other hand, many who will support it, hut throughout all arguments one faet remains that unless the Board is in a position to have double its present revenue at its disposal a great improvement in the domains cannot be reasonably expected. No doubt the question will enter into municipal politics durin.r the coming Mayoral campaign, and if only the interest of the public is aroused at least some good will have done.

"That no further negotiations be entered into with the Stratford Electric Light Supply Company until a Supreme Court ruling has been obtained as lo the interpretation of section 30 of the Stratford Electric lighting Act. ISilS"— ' resolution passed at last mjrht's meeting of the Stratford Borough ouneil. It also marks the end of the first chanter in the story of the desire of the town to acquire the control of the electric light. Hitherto the attempts ff the Council to purchase the interests of the company have been witho.it avail, as the price asked has been considered prohibitive. But the immediate cause leading up to the motion rproL'd above., was the difference of opinion ■which" existed between the Council and the company as to the term of years during whieh the company have the exclusive right to liirht the town. T.ie .Council contend that tile 'right expires in 1921; the company nohf that tfr>y haye a right in perpetuity. In order I to determine the matter the Couneil suggested taking tiie issue before the Supreme Court, each party to pay half the costs. This offer was declined by the company and now the Council have decided to take the initiative towards the settlement of this point. Following this resolution another was carried—"That the Mayor and Cr. Ralfe be n committee to confer with the borough solicitor on the best steps to take In the matter/'

| The travelling public have justifiable : cause of complaint regarding the lace [ of accommodation for school children on the afternoon trains. A large number of childrn come to the Stratfo-1 i High School from the surrounding lis- | triets, and advantage is taken of the ) convenient train service. This is as it [should be, but at the same time, the j comfort of the public should not be interfered' with. Unfortunately such is not the ease, as the children appear to monopolise the carriages, first and sec-ond-class alike. This matter was referred to at the meeting of the IMtousmi Council last night by Cr. Young, who moved a resolution, wi.ich was carried, "That the Department he asked to provide special accommodation for school children travelling by train." Stratford is one of the few towns on this coast which does not nosscss a Chamber of Commerce. A matter coining within the functions of such an institution was dealt with at the Borough Pouneil meeting last night, when a resolution was carried—"That the attention of the Railway Department lo\ 'drawn to the necessity of providing im--proved accommodation at the ticket *f- r flee at the local station." In view of the fact that in the near future the complete readjustment of the station will' be imperative, very substantial improvements to the building are not to be expected, but alterations which would materially benefit the travelling public could be given effect to without great cost. , The Borough Council has decided to invite the Governor to visit Stratford during his tour of this province. . The newly-formed Egmont Club, whi?h is housed in the old premises of the Stratford Club, is to be formally opened to-night.

jXyAYKRI.KY A. AXI> P. AS-'OCIA- '■ ■ TIUN. SECOND ANNUAL SHOW. I To bo held on the |KECREATIOX (.(ROUNDS, WAYEULICY On THURSDAY, 17th MARCH, 1010. ORDER OF PROGRAMME. Ist 2ml 3rd ! «. S . 8. "Express Pair 40 10 Heavy Draught Mare .. 40 10 'Heavy Draught Gelding 40 10 ■Troop Horse 40 20 I Spring Cart Horse .. .. 40 15 j'l2-stone Hack 40 10 14-s'tone Hack 40 10 : General Purpose Farm ' Horse 40 15 : Pony (between 14.2 and I 13 hands) 20 10 Pony Jumping CompetitiI tion 20 10' Cob 30 10 Girl Rider 15 5 Single Harness Horse .. 40 20 | Wood Chopping 100 40 20 Lady's Turn-out 40 20 •Sawing Competition .... 40 20 1 Maiden Hunters' Compe- ] tition 100 30 10 ..Paced Hack 40 20 .! Lady's Hack (15.2 and ■j over 40 20 ' I Lady's (under 15.2) 40 10 ) i Buggy Pair 40 10 ! ' Open Leaping Competition 140 40 20 .Lady Driver 40 10 r Harnessing Competition ■' for Ladies 30 10 ■ Pony (under 13 hands) ..20 10 •JGentleman Driver .... 40 10 i; Threading the Needle .. 30 10 'Tilting the Ring (for "I Cadets) 20 10 [ | SHEEP—Pen of five fat wethers, five I ewes fit fat lambs (Down crosses), and j | five fat lambs (Longwool crosses) for ' .freezing. ! j Also, Home Industries (first prize ;;10s each), Vegetables, Dogs, and Sheep- " | guessing Competition. . Points Prizes.—A prize of £2 (doated by Mr. D. S. Taylor) will be given ; for the Champion Hack. A points pri/te \ of £2 will be given for Horse Events', [land likewise for Home Industries [ Classes. j Prize Let with full particulars on application to Secretary. Entries close 3rd March, 1010. Waverley Band in attendance. I Admission to Ground, Tsj Children (under 12 years. (M. W. EMMERSON, Secretary.