STRATFORD DAY BY DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 125, 5 September 1910, Page 8

STRATFORD DAY BY DAY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Last Night. That there should not have been a larger attendance last night at Mr. McNab's lecture on "Early New Zealand" is to be regretted for many reasons. Firstly, it shows that the rising generation have but little interest in the history of their country, native or adopted as the case may be, and, secondly, it is a poor welcome to one of the leading historians of this country that, whilst he is prepared to sacrifice his time and comfort for the benefit of education of the public, they should be too apathetic and indifferent to attend. The lecture was very instructive, and those present acquired a great deal of information regarding what took place in the early days in Maoriland. The Mayor presided, and lantern views of scenes ana Charts were manipulated by SMr. J. Sexfion. There is ample reason for the intro--1 duction of the Education Amendment Bill, or at least that portion of it dealing with compulsory attendance at continuation classes. Since the youth of this country are not prepared to voluntarily take advantage of the educational opportunities presented to them, they should, for the country's benefit and their own, they must be made. "Compulsion" is never a popular word, and there is no doubt that exception will betaken to the Minister's proposals. But, of Teeent years, the impression has gained! ground that we are not getting value for the enormous amount of money expended in education, not in so far as the actual teaching is concerned, but that we stop too soon, and the good work of the earlier years is too frequently lost. The proposal of the Stratford County Council to levy a. special rate of y 2 d in the £ on the unimproved value of the land fronting the East Toad under its jurisdiction is not meeting with the approval of the settlers affected, and there is general opposition to the suggested increase in rates.

Members still continue to join the A. and P. Association, and after the next meeting the roll should approximate 700.

Mr. and Mrs. \V. Rennell, of Wangainui, and "well known in New Plymouth, are at present on a visit to their son, Mr. A. C. Rennell. Mr. Dixon, the well-known Stratford footballer, leaves on Monday for Auckland, i The United Friendly Societies' social will be held on the 28th inst. The one-man coupling competition of the local Fire Brigade was won by Foreman Burgess (scr), Branchman Evans (3sec) being third. Mr. G. Henderson, of the land depar»*** inent of the New Zealand Loan anjr Mercantile Company, left thia morning for Hamilton, where he is commencing business on his own account.

The amended railway time-table to Te Wera comes into operation next week.