THE TERRITORIALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 128, 21 November 1911, Page 3

THE TERRITORIALS.

Stratford, Monday. The swearing-in of Territorials and .senior cadets under the new defence scheme is proceeding apace. This morning Captain (,'ardale and Sergeant-Major Dallinger visited Toko, where a very good percentage of those registered were present to take the oath of allegiance. They comprised members of the 11th Regiment, Stratford Mounted Rifles and senior cadets.

At the conclusion of the swearing-in process, those present were consulted regarding the most convenient time for parades. It was found that the suggested daylight parades would best suit the majority, as interfering least with their work on the dairy farms. To comply with their wishes, the Toko parades will be called for 11.30 a.m., lunch will be taken from 12.30 to 1 o'clock, and drill will resume then until 2.30 p.m. This arrangement will be adopted in all the sub-centres, which means that it will not operate in Xew Pymouth, Waitara, Stratford, Inglewood, Eltham,. Ilawera, or Patea.

The staiT officers will proceed with the swearing-in at Waitara to-night, BrigadeMajor Wliyte and Captain Lampen being in charge. To-morrow (Tuesday) morning the swearing-in of the Tariki men will commence at 11 o'clock.

The first parade after the oath of allegiance will take plaee at Inglewood on Wednesday. OBITUARY

MR. PETIiR WILSON.

Mr. Peter Wilson, well known almost as the town clock, one of the oldest and most respected residents of Stratford, has passed away.. His end came suddenly. He was at Kakaramea, visiting some friends, and, I am told, was in splendid spirits all day pn Saturday. lie was i in his usual good Spirits at the evening meal, hut at about nine o'clock he suddenly collapsed, and died. A telegraphic message reached Dr. Stevens here ati about eleven o'clock the same night, and 011 Sunday morning Mrs. Wilson left hy motor for Kakaramea. Mr. and Mrs. Wilspn have been residing latterly in the Waikato district, but ( returned to Stratford the other day to see their son-;i'Mr Arnold <, who was seriously ill m Stratford llospita L Upon las being pronounced oilt of danger, Mr. \Vii§on"werit t'o Kakaramea, intending to "return here this evening and go northward bv.steamer. Mr. Wilson sfiw service ill' the Maori war. and the Maori war iricdal was amongst his treasured possession's, lie was always jolly, ftnd 'it very'popular and familiar figure in bur daily life and on tb,e howling green a fe\v years ago. He leaves a widow and three sons and two daughters, to whom is extended the tallest sympathy in the loss- of a husband and father. ' ' j |,JM.OUNTAIN HQUSE. BUSY SEASON EXPECTED.

Mr. Cbristenseto, Custodian of the East Egniont (Stratford,) Mountain House, ■ has now been in residence for a couple of months, but so far..th« season he has not had many visitors, this being due, of course, the jiypleasant weather which has had a bad effect on some portions of tlie road. . The Stratford House is only eight and a half miles from Stratford, and the- house* is' at a greater altitude, than,the- Others,'which means that the .ascent- of'rthe-pealc is simpler. Mr. Christofiscu says-irttlat he has taken parties of ladies from the.house to the summit in from two and a half to three ilours, aiid,.eiiu do'the trip-himself in a couple of-hours. I'be-scenery on this side is exciiejlijigly beautiful, and during this season,,owing jtj),,,tl,ie improvements made of latfe years, and, the greater publicity given to the scenic attractions, it is expected-that' laSt'year's record of, 1400 visiter#'-'\vjll-' lie'-eii'ijy-There is a -^ood'afc-omVitodatlon house,, and Sir, <i"h^istenfien ;, is' having a piano put in very shortly. - A sun? of £IOO 18 to be spent'en 'traeW improvement. It should be mentioned--that'the whole of the road has been formed, but about (iO chains of -it are jionu too good in wet weather. The I te)ephone"wiJl be installed in the house for- the-.pfleSent season.

STRATFORD MUNICIPAL BAND. GOOD PROGRESS -OF MEMBERS. The Stratford-Municipal. Brass Band, which was recently resuscitated, is making good progress, Mr; Henderson, the conductor, being evidently- the right man for his 'post. The secretary is Mr. Marshall, himself no mean performer. There are now fifteen members, and" fourteen learners are "coining' oil." -Mr. G. 11; Saunders and the Royal Pictme s\ndieatc arc pnttiiig on a great picture attraction here o;i both nights of the show iu aid of the band fund.-,. Members are selling tickets, and there should lie a good protit to'a really deserving institution. At present the' band is not possessed of a proper band-room, but it is hoped to do something in this line when some funds have been raised. STRATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

A meeting of the borough Council wa = held lu-tiiiy to <ifiil with the electric light loan. The Mayor presided and there were al>o present: Councillors T. Law.oii. li. -Mcl\. Morisou, ,1. I). IJealey. ,J. McAlister, X. -J. King, and (j. Sangster. The meeting was called on account of the lcliisal of the Government Advances Hoard to lend the money for the purchase of tin- Kli'ctrical Supply Company'* undertaking. 'I lie Mayor said he diii not <lc>])aii, howe\<r. of getting the moniv ty l e Government. Sir .1. (i. Ward Would he in Stratford next .Monday, anil he .suggested thai the Council >et up a commit tee to wait oil the Premier in ]''-|>e<t (n tins matter. He mentioned that the (lovernment had at first declined to lenil money to the Eltham JSorough Council for a similar purpose, hut had afterwards granted the inouev, TinMayor went oil to say that the town clerk had communicated with the A.M.P. Society in regard to the loan and hid received a re- \ asking what rate of interest the I \ m> was prepared to pa v. Alter - i!:.,"a-.-ion it was decided that tile town elei-j; wr j(,. t 0 l | l j, Society to a-k what rate of interest the socieh would • hargp. Councillor King, in the course of the iliscussion. said there should he no difficulty in obtaining a loan of .€14,000, for the lending institutions had plenty of money to lend ut low rates of interest.