STRATFORD DAY BY DAY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 192, 23 November 1910, Page 8

STRATFORD DAY BY DAY

(From Our Own Correspondent.) An ideal spot for a show ground, to combine the advantages of location, pro- . vision for expansion and the benefit of a picturesque aspect, is not easy to find. The committee of the Stratford A. and| F. Association were fortunate in being able >to secure the ground on which the show will be held. A mile from the Post Office, it possesses many natural advantages which a site in closer proximity to the town might have lacked. With a- slight slope, the grandstand is placed 011 the high ground. In the distance one sees the serrated lines of hills, and further away the crests of Ruapehu and her sisters. Behind the stand the snow-clad sentinel of Taranaki "stands up and takes the morning." At ■the back of the ground a creek, willow j margined, meanders, acting practically as the boundary on the western and. northern sides. The committee has re-! cognised the attraction that this will be' to those who regard a show as an out-| ing, and has added to the shelter al-l ready present by planting many trees and shrubs. With a few paths made and some seats provided, it should con- J stitute an almost ideal spot for an af-j ternoon tea kiosk. On the northern boundary the creek runs through a disused metal pit, which could at no great expense be converted into a lake. However, these and many other suggestions ' are for the future, and there is little doubt but that the wise policy which actuated the committee in adding to the present shelter by extensive treeplanting will, as the finances permit, take the direction of beautifying the grounds in many ways. But the committee at present is more concerned about material matters than aesthetics. Twelve months ago the A. and P. Association was, except by a few who saw the possibilities that existed, unthought of. Seven months ago the present show ground was a dairy farm. In the course of this short space of time, to finance, erect buildings, and lay out the grounds, meant a large expenditure of money and plenty of hard work. The grandstand, a spacious and commodious building, at the back of which are the secretary's office, stewards' luncheon room and publican's booth, is nearing completion, the principal work remaining being the erection of the seats. The cattle pens are practically finished, and a start is being made with the sheep pens. The ring fence around the oval has yet t.O be erected. On the right of the entrance stands the spacious produce shed, which it is understood will next year be used for dogs and poultry, a new shed being built for produce. The "ring" has been levelled and sown in barley and grass. Although this has been done only lately, the grass has come away splendidly. A clump ot pinus insignis near the entrance gate is to be used as shelter, and around each tree seats are being placed. Provision Is being made for a stand for motor cars, and paddocks for horses, vehicles and stock. Of course, it would be idle to say that everything is done, but when the short space of time which the committee had at its disposal is remembered, one is apt to be astonished at how much has been done, rather than critical as to what remains to be done. So far the Association has received good support by a large membership, by entries—the date of closing of which is November 30—coming in freely, and the committee is confident that the People's Day will attract visitors from all parts of the province. The members are determined to do all in their power to make the show a success. May the gods be propitious, and grant them fine weather.

The monthly hide, skin and wool sales were held to-day. There was a large quantity of wool and skins submitted, and prices throughout were good. Wool averaged 7y a d, and prices for hides were higli, a cow's hide, weighing about 581b, fetching By s d, which is probably the record price for the Dominion for the past five years.

Prices of skins and hides in New Zealand are considerably higher than in Australia, and it is stated that buyers are purchasing skins in the Commonwealth and shipping them to this country for sale.

The Stratford Hospital Board has for two days been considering the vexed question of the appointment of a successor to Dr. Paget. It is understood that at first it was proposed that Dr. Carbery be offered his superintendence', with Dr. H. Menzies as assistant. Af-j ter a lengthy discussion this proposal was thrown out, and it wa3 decided to invite applications for the position of medical superintendent at a salary of £'3oo a year. Dr. Yalintine agreed to arrange for a locum tenens at the Hospital in the interval. , Nurse Walker has resigned her position at the Stratford Hospital. Mr. F. N. Thompson, formerly with Messrs. Spence and Stanford, has commenced practice on his own account at. Cambridge. Through their horse taking fright and backing over the bank of the road at the Whan'giunomona Saddle, Mr. F. Marrow and Constable J. Wright were thrown out of their trap yesterday. Neither sustained any serious injuries. The muggy weather of the past few days has caused gardeners to anxiously regard their potato crops to see if the much dreaded blight has made its appearance.