Stratford News.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 139, 7 December 1911, Page 3

Stratford News.

I THE TERRITORIALS THE SUCCESS OF THE SCHEME SO [ FAR. Sonwone has said in Stratford—and no doubt the wish was father to the thought that the Territorial system won't stand. And his reason given is that it is against public opinion. The remark reached the ears of the Territorial officers, and when I saw Captain Cardale to-day he referred to the matter, and showed me the following particulars of parades to show how enthusiastic are the men themselves, and to show how well the movement has caught on. At Waverley, 114 men were sworn in in all branches, and at the next parade 109 were on parade, and of the other five one was accounted for. At Patca 63 should have be?n on parade, and 61 paraded, at the stated time. One of the others was excused, as he had a broken arm, his post office duties being .responsible for this. Alton should have paraded 27, and 25 mustered; one was accounted for, and one not accounted for. Hawera paraded 138 out of 146; the absence of two was accounted for, and two were unaccounted for. In Stratford, out of 113 there were 101 on parade; ten were engaged in the railway and postal department, and two unaccounted for 1 until next day, when one man turned up at headquarters and explained that his notice had not reached him, he having changed his address without notifying the authorities of it. Toko paraded Iff out of 21', and one was granted leave, the other being unaccounted for. Of 96 at Waitatfa 92 paraded, and no excuses were given for the others. Captain Cardale said that the officers were well pleased with the response made by the men, many of whom had travelled some distance to parades. This disability would be removed as far as possible, by establishing sub-centres, or, where a group of men were isolated and unable to attend at a centre, provision would lie made later on for an officer to instruct th'em in their own locality. Nearly all of the absentees from parades were men who had since moved from the place at which they registered, and thus had not received their notices to attend drill. Cases were cited where two brothers belonging to Awatuna were registered, one at Opunake and one at Kaponga, whiere they were temporarily engaged. Then they'■went home. In due course they were notified to attend parades at their registration centres, entailing a good dial of travelling which ) would have been quite unnecessary had the area officers known of their change of address. Complaints were made in some cases that travelling was excessive, and a staff officer had been specially sent up from Wellington make full enquiries, the General Officer Commanding being very anxious that no hardship should be imposed'. THE SENIOR CADETS. The staff officer in charge of the senior cadets in the Wellington district j (Wellington, Taranaki and Hawfce's Bay) J is at present in this district relative to the organisation and officering of thej cadet companies, of which there arc no less than 104 in his district, with a total of just under 10,000 lads between the ages of 14 and 18 years. He visited Hawera on Tuesday, and inspected the local cadet company, commanded by Captain J. W. Brunt. It was an excellent parade, only a very few lads being absent, and each being satisfactorily accounted for. The staff officer speaks in high terms of tha excellent work that is being done there. One officer and seven non-commissioned officers of the Territorial force were present to assist in the instruction, and it speaks well for the future- of the whole movement that so much hearty co-operation is evident. I It is worth noting that in very many ! cases the cadet companies will be officered by .ex-volunteers, non-commissioned officers of many years' experience. In Wellington City, out of 17 companies 15 are officered by fully trained men. Considerable care is being .exercised in the .selection of officers, for not only is it necessary to have a man of some knowledge of the work, but chiefly he muit possess that personality which is so ne(X'ssary to ensure success. Officers commanding Territorial companies in this district have been approached with a view of suggesting the names of suitable men. The staff officer for senior cadets will '. v : m New Plymouth this week, j EQUIPMENT. Tiic equipment of Territorials 'and senior cadets should be completed early in .January, and then training will l>egin in earnest. In the meantime, attendance at parades will be voluntary, but those members who attend will the sooner fit themselves for promotion. The local area officers are at present "officering" quite a number of companies themselves. The new officers will be chosen from the. ranks, so there is a gnat chance offered to the men of promotion. Midhirst is to be made a drill centre in connection with tin* defence forces, in order to relieve several of the men of tin? necessity for travelling to Stratford or some other centre. The first parade will probably take place on or about January 11.

HAPPY TO-MORROW. Xoarlv all Stratford will be pleased when to-morrow's gone. Those who fool surry will 'lie those who have ;i bill In mi'i't on Friday and notliinjr to meet it with, tint won't it he lovely when the air is clear of polities, when '"Romans are as brothers" as in the brave day* of old. and citizens no longer look askance at each "other because of their political beliefs? Won't it just be splendid In catch a knot of men talking, and not talking politics? To see some of our business men devoting their surplus energy to bu-ine-s or private allairs, and nol arguing and swearing thai it was .Mr. Iline or Mr. Mel'lml'gage who repealed tlie corn laws of Farmland or sonic other equally famous piece of legislation? \\ lieu we know exactly whether we are to be allowed the privilege for another ti rm of enjoying our own choice of rein our own way? When no one worries about the amount of dogpax that will be lost to the community by voting for water, or the whole heap of appendicitis that will be caused by cold tea and lemonade? When local politicians erase from battling, and one candidate's at rest? Oh. won't it be joyful. But what's going to lake its place? What arc the two? and threes going to talk about ? It wouldn't be so bad if there were another -show coining on, but here, all in a few days, we arc, to lose our stock subjects of conversation. Suppose, we concentrate on the half-holiday? 1 or on the English cricket team? or the

From Our Resident Reporter.

Education Board election? or on bowls (on the green, of course) ? or on minding our own business—eh, what? GENERAL NEWS. Some exception is taken to the heading '•Retailers Stand for Thursday" in this morning's notes of the meeting of the Stratford Retailers' Association to discuss the half-holiday question. To be correct, it should have iread "The Retailers' Association stands for Thursday." I am informed that quite a large number of the retailers still favor Saturday, but they were not present, and were not represented at Monday night's meeting. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Masters contemplate leaving here just after Christmas on a six weeks' trip to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart, returning home by way of the Bluff. Mr. J. B. Richard's, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, has received a letter from the Manaia town clerk, advising him that the Manaia Town Board favors the Saturday half-holiday for Taranaki. The Manaia Tradesmen's Association has expressed itself similarly. Tributes as to the excellent management of last week's show continue to reach Stratford. I have perused letters from exhibitors, who declare that their, animals have never been better treated, and they are very enthusiastic in their praises. So far no one has mentioned the splendid work done 'by the railway officials and the special stewards appointed to superintend the loading and unloading, receiving and despatching of exhibits. The railway officials might easily have been mistaken for salaried officers of the A. and P. Association, so anxious and hard-working were they in attending to the stock. And the stewards selected for this work\were all men well used to the yarding and trucking of stock. There was system throughout. Some exhibitors declared that they had nev.CT seen at any show such excellent despatch given to returning exhibits, and it may Iks mentioned in support of this that every head of stock which was required l by its owner to be sent away on the second night of the show was despatched without any trouble to its owner or exhibitor. The premises recently occupied by Messrs. S. H. James and Co. are now being entirely remodelled and converted into a commodious shop and workrooms for the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company, and the new tenants hope to be in possession in a week or so. During the past week Captain and Mrs. Cardale tendered a bridge evening to the members of the Bridge Club. The function was held at the Medina Rooms, the Moral decorations of ■which were in excellent taste, and the. same remark can safely be made of the whole of the arrangements. The evening was a most enjoyable one in every way. The. guests were Mesdames A. W. Budge, Mcintosh (Wellington), Stubbs, Glasgow, Chinchen, Hogg, Meiizies, Rennell, Copping, and the Misses James and Randolph, Messrs* A. W. Budge, Stubbs, Glasgow, Grant, Rennell, Spence, Vaughan, Chinchen, Copping, Drs. Menzies and Carbery, and Captain Lampen. The prizes were won by Me»-J dames Jlclntosh and Glasgow, and Messrs. Rennell and Vaughan. Our architects and builders continue to keep busy. New houses and improved shop fronts are making the town quite smart. In Juliet street Mr. B. HaTkness is having a building erected alongside his engineering -works for the purposes of a foundry and to house traction engines or other machinery awaiting repairs. Mr. Harkness' business has made' big strides, and this is the second time in recent years that he has had to increase his accommodation and plant. Mr. D. Laurenson, telegraphist in the' local office, who was injured in an accident some tliree or four weeks ago, is' again at his post, .but he has not yet fully recovered from the injury to his back.

Mr. Robert Masters is receiving excellent support in his candidature for a seat on (he Taranaki Education Board He has been nominated by the following school committees: Bird, Denbigh, Huiakama, Huiroa, Tututawa, Makahu, Puniwhakau, Matau, Midhirst, Mahoe, Raupulia, Stanley, Stratford, Ratapiko and \\ hangamomona. Te lloti should have been included in the nominations for the Flying Handicap at the summer meeting. Messrs. J. Masters and Son, who Lave been in business in Stratford for a long term of years, ask in this issue, "Are you expecting visitors this Xmas?" The question is personal, and to the point, and so is the rest of the advertisement. If visitors are coming, how about the crockery? Do you want some new cups or plates, a dinner-set, or jugs? If so, there should certainly be something in Messrs. Masters and Son's very largeand well bought stock to suit you, for the designs seem to be illimitable. Anyhow, it won't cost anything to call in and have a look. The Egmont Clothing Company's new advertisement in this issue should be read, by all mothers and fathers and I guardians in the district. Not only does the Jirm oiler exceptional values in boys' suits, but, in order to clear a verv bif line of specially-made suits, a viry acceptable present is offered to purchasers who mention tiic Daily News advertisement when purchasing. The suits thenis:'lvi..s will make line littU; chaps, manly little follows, of our bovs. and theyT .fee real proud. The Kgmout Clothing Company makes a specialty of this of trade, the shop (opposite Rellrmger Bros.) is very popular with mothers ior this very reason.