Stratford News.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 182, 31 January 1912, Page 3

Stratford News.

| RAILWAY PROGRESS Mr. McKenzie, public works engineer, leaves on Wednesday morning for the Main Trunk, where he will inspect the works at the Okahukura end of Stratford line. THE MOTUROA PICNIC The weather promises well now, and there will be a record crowd of children and adults at the seaside picnic at Moturoa on Thursday. It is Stratford's principal holiday, and the town will bjb deserted. It is notified that a special train leaves Te Wera feo connect at Stratford with the nine o'clock, with special for the beach. Passengers by this will pay ordinary fares to Stratford, but excursion rates to New Plymouth. Parents are notified that tickets are on sale *p till half-past nine o'clock on Wednesday night at Bellringer's. . The regiiltitions stipulate that adults' tickets niurft not exceed the children's tickets sold, but there are still plenty of tickets available of both denominations. The railway station to-day contains large numbers of excursion wagons for the picnic.

NORTH TARANAKI HUNT J People in this district are being cireu-" larised by Mr. Humphries, secretary of the North Taranaki Hunt, asking them to attend a meeting here on the 20th prox.. to discuss the formation of a branch of the Hunt Club here. The movement should catch on. There are some fine horses about here, and the successful management of the club in the past should act as an inducement. E6MONT CLUB The committee in charge of the arrangements for the official opening of •the Egmont Club's new clubrooms, has decided that the function shall take the form of a progressive euchre party, with musical items, followed by a supper in the Fire Brigade Hall, next door, and possibly a dance. The committee is very' enthusiastic, and is invoking the aid of the ladies to see to the supper, etc. The building will be declared open by Mr. J. Masters, the president, and Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P., the patron, will 'also -be asked to speak. A DOG INCIDENT. A humorous incident occurred in the) main street a day or two ago.' A lead- ' ing business man, growing angry with the barking of a dog, made after him with a whip. His aim was true, and the lash coiled round the dog. which promptly scampered, and pulled the lash off the whip handle. It was followed by the irate man, who evidently valued the whiplash more than his dignity. HORTICULTURAL SHOW Catalogues for the Horticultural Show i are now obtainable from the secretary. J STRATFORD ELECTRIC LIGHT. To the 'Editor. Sir, —It seems almost like whipping a dead dog to refer to the above, but the Borough Council are determined to place the loan before the ratepayers, and to this, beyond the question of the expense,. there can be no objection. To start j with the Borough Council should never have gone so far as they have with the proposal, but having gone so far the matter should be gone about openly. This is not being done. The law is being complied with in the barest possible fashion, and unless ratepayers are on the alert the day of the poll will slip by unnoticed except by those directly interested in carrying the poll. Why is there this secrecy? Why has not His Worship the Mayor not called the public meeting he promised? It is, of course, not too late now. He may have it in his mind to call it, but the meeting should surely be called early enough to give the ratepayers time to reflect upon what he may say. On such a question the fullest enquiry and criticism should surely be invited. Any other course savours of secrecy and lends itself to the suspicion that certain members of the Council wish to sneak the proposal through. The thanks of the ratepayers are due to you, Sir, for placing your columns at their disposal for discussion of this subject.—l am, etc., VIGILANT.

* * * From Our Resident Reporter. * * * * Office: No. 3, York Chambers, Stratford. * * * *************'****************<{><ll

RELAYING THE RAILS. The work of relaying the rails-between Stratford and Huiroa with heavier metals has just been completed by Ganger Stanley and his staff. The metale originally laid to that point were what is known as 401b rails, i.e., 401b to the yard. It was fpund,. however, that the traffic would be heavier than was anticipated, so from that point onwards 551b metals were laid, and the original Ifi milts of lighter metals was replaced by 631b ones. The work has taken nearly 18 months to complete, but it has been a slow process owing to the fact that the rails used'have done duty elsewhere. They were made in 1884, and have been used on the Manawatu line, where they outlived their usefulness and were displaced by 701b iails, which are those in vogue on main lines. Despite their age they are in first-class order, and it will be years before they will require to be renewed. Ganger Stanley and his men move on to Ashhurst next week to commence relaying the Woodville line with 201b metals. ' I

The pleasures of a holiday are threefold —the pleasure of looking forward t» the vacation, the delight of the holiday itself, and the pleasure of looking back upon the happy days. If you are a photographic enthusiast the anticipation of delightful days with your camera makes you almost as happy as the actual experiences. The holiday comes, and at last you may photograph everything your fancy suggests—here a pretty scene, there a group of friends: yonder some tiny tots. Then comes the final pleasure of living your holiday over again by going over your photos at home. "The Folding Victor Klito" Quarterplate Camera will prove a boon companion on your trip. It is British made, fitted with Rapid Achromatic Lens, "Ensign" Junior-Auto Shutter, giving time, bulb and instantaneous exposures, and real brilliant view-finder. The price is only 25/-, post free, to any address. Harringtons N.Z. Ltd., 42 Willis street, Wellington.—Advt,