Stratford News.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 159, 4 January 1912, Page 3

Stratford News.

A HOLIDAY SUGGESTION Whilst the children are at home for the holidays, parents have an excellent chance of having them photographed. There's no need to dwell on the pleasures derived from having one of these photographs in the years to come, perhaps to exhibit to son or daughter when they in turn introduce their offspring to the camera man; or the gladness with which a photograph of the little ones is received by other members of the family. Mr. McAllister's photographic studio is right up to date, and his work is pronounced first class by capable erites. WEDDINGS .tj ;.. <£s.

On New Year's Day Miss Maude McKeown, youngest daughter of Mr. T. McKeown, of Stratford, was united in the bonds of holy matrimony to Mr. Ed. A. ; Drake, of Stratford. The ceremony took place at the Primitive Methodist Church, and the Rev. B. Metson officiated. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore her travelling dress, a dark costume, with saxe blue crinoline straw hat wreathed with saxe blue and pale pink roses. Miss Annie Drake, sister of the bridegroom, attended the bride, dressed in a rich dove grey, with black hat trimmed with black ribbon velvet andi lace. Mr. Alt Drake acted as best man. As the wedding party walked up the aisle the hymn, "The Voke that breathed o'er Eden," was sung, Miss K. Lilly at the organ. At the conclusion oi the ceremony a number of friends I were entertained at a reception at the I home of the bride's parents, the usual toasts being honored. The wedding gifts were numerous and handsome., Mr. and Mrs. Drake left the same evening on I their honeymoon toui' 7 which js being spent in £he Auckland district. On the same day, Rev. B. Metson again officiating, the wedding was celebrated of Miss Daisy Burrell, of Stratford, and Mr. Sid. King, of Eltham. The ceremony took place at the home of the bride's' parents. The bride wore a cream serge costume and lovely black hat wth ospreys, and Miss Kathleen Burrell, who acted as bridesmaid, was also in cream, and wore a pretty pale blue hat trimmed with flowers. Mr. and Mrs. Burrell afterwards entertained a number of friends, the young couple leaving later by motor-car for Eltham.

THE CARNIVAL. The Fire Brigade Carnival of dancing is attracting good houses, and is delighting hundreds. At the same time townspeople should roll up in still larger numbers to witness this delightful exhibition hy our own children,, not only because the Fire Brigade is worth helping but because the entertainment is so well worth seeing. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday night big houses should be the, rule.

GENERAL NEWS . At yesterday's meeting of the Stratford Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Mr. J. Smith mentioned that he intended advocating on the County Councl that a separate hospital rate be collected, so that people would know how much they are contributing to the institution. The ratepayers won't object, probably, so long as the rating in the aggregate does not exceed the present amount. A special meeting of the County Council is to'be held shortly to go into the whole question of the county finances, and there is a possibility that some of the members will demand an increase in the general rates to be levied, in order that the, roads may obtain the requisite afjioun&of attention. The deliberations of the Council on this Occasion should be' interesting. ' , ' Mr. Phil Skoglund, the town clerk, is on a visit to Wellington. ' '■'■'■

! Mr. Joe McCluggage leaves forWhangarei to-night (Wednesday)'. Mr. G. Defbride, of Peilding, and forittWly a resident of Stratford, is "'paying ''ii r 'short visit here. ' .•• '.i Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wells, ol Buxton, Waitara road, passed through StiatfOrd by -klrls morning's express train. They «r& 'Uloing" the North Island, and will ►bfc/absent from home about.a month, vis/ ;jt}ng Auckland, Rotorua, Gishorne, Na<ipiKT,.;Titihape, Palmerston and \yelling:to«i ' . ', •,vMj.-<Henry Dickinson, of Stratford, has jujit ; reeeived sad news from, (■Joijth.AJ-rkft-i'One of his sons, aged 2l'yea-rs, was "jit the South African railway service, and ;\M& looked upon as one of the most propricing ypung officers there, having been (promoted4o guard in a very short time /after-joining the service. The General ?M.;wJ'«i(ger has written Mr. Dickinson that ;hlK;'son wa9 badly crushed in the, shunt-

From Our Resident Reporter.

ing yard at Lady smith on November 25 last, and succumbed to his injuries. His body was interred in tho Ladysmith cemetery.

Mr. Percy Thomson, formerly a very popular official in the National Bank at Stratford, and now of Blenheim, is spending his holidays in Stratford, accompanied by Mrs. Thomson. Mr. Sidney Ward has taken temporary offices in Broadway Central, and, I understand, intends opening business as a manufacturers' and commission agent. "Sid." has given up the strenuous life in the ironmongery business. The furnishings of the new Egmont Club are now being delivered. My country! but they are up-to-date and comfortable. No half-larks about this. Houses are still at a premium in Stratford. The demand is in excess of the supply. The contrary is the case in regard to rain. There the supply is heaps bigger than the demand. The wet weather is hanging up the shearing operations on many farms. If Inspector Tinpins had been operating in Stratford to-day he would have j had something to say to Messrs. Morey ] and Son, who had about thirty cases of I drapery on the footpath outside their j new Stratford branch, which opens shortly. Mr. Kirby, a brother of Mr. Kirby, of Messrs. Mackay, Logan & Caldwell's New Plymouth staff, is to be in charge of the business here.

Stratford people who visited the New Plymouth beach during the holidays are wondering how it is that there are not more trees along the foreshore to act as a shelter from the sun when the weather is what it should be, and from the rain when it is not, The Seaside Improvement Committee no doubt does all Jliat its funds permit it to do, but how wofully is the committee- treated in / he matter of support, except at New] Year's time, when funda and toys are, fothcoming for the big annual picnic. T9e Moturoa beach will never be what it should be until some vigorous planting work is done/ At least, that Is the opinion of the visitors from these parts.