STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 190, 9 February 1912, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

\ (From Our Resident Reporter.) \ Stiratford, Thursday. THE EGMONT CLUB. The institution of a democratic club ii which the business men of Stratford may congregate to exchange ideas and to soeially confer is a highly useful idea. The lone man is like a single tree in the oasis—impotent. It is conceivable that the most perfect social type in the world—that of Britain—was created in club rooms, and as Britain is the pattern for the round world,, although, derided by it, it seems reasonable that Stratford should follow suit. Here- then it an institution specifically created to meet an urgent want. It is not suggested that the real home life of Stratford business men should be lacerated,: but that a little of the real home life should be spared for the club. No wife who has any knowledge of the complex' animal who earns the bacon-money objects to permitting his absence from the wifely presence it* he is suitably employed and is gathering ideas of value in the effort to produce adequate sustenance for his deajrly loved brood. It may be held that club-life is selfish, and that the expenditure of brains and money on the erection of a club is of minor usefulness. Man is gregarious. He must have the society of his kind or go under. Clubdom offers him the variety that makes the' chasing, of the dollar a minoff affair, but assists in the capture of the 4s 2d all the same. Clubs for social purposes were instituted as a, class concern—places to which the bored peer and the jaundiced aristocrat might escape from a dreadful ennui. To-day, however, because man of all kinds is imitative, every kind of male human eagerly grasps the chance of organised social communion with hit own set. It is a communion that cements the sacredness of the marriage tie, which enlarges the ideas of the participants, which enriches daily life and cements a friendship which is as necessary to man as the love of woman or the partaking of food. In the new club will exist all the concomitants for amity, all the comforts of a true homeliness, all the intimate delights which man so dearly loves and which has a widening influence on his outlook and a real service to the nation. Every social organisatiom is commendable, because it induces naturalness, the communions of mind and the enjoyment of man. The Egmont Club's new buildings were officially opened to-night by the president, Mr. J Masters, Mayor of Stratford. He traced the history <of the club, and urged members to take up debentures j and help the club financially. J ' Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P., also spoke, and asked the club to make special provisions for the encouragement of country members. The president explained that liberal concessions weie made to country members. '. ■ .' The programme consisted of a progressive euchre party and musical selections, intsrumental and vocal. A lovely supper was provided and the evening wound Tip with a dance. There were about 150 persons present, including a large num- < ber of ladies. i SHOOTING The final shoot for the Stratford Defence Rifle Club' 3 championship took place this afternoon. The final resulted: Gollop 195, first, Charles Speck, 102, : second; E. Bracklebank, 191,- third; Mc- : Mahon 187, Ferguson 185> W. Brockle-! : bank 184, Ritchie 183. C. Jackson 181. In to-day shoot Rifleman McMahon : won with .102 points. Speck was second with 99, and Gollop third with 99. ( TENNIS. , 1 ST. ANDREW'S v. STRATFORD. Beautiful weather prevailed on the • Stratford courts to-day, when St. An- i drew's Club was beaten by Stratford B by a margin of 39 games. Scores: Men's Singles.—A. D.: Brown 4, v. E. ; H. Young 9;T. Marshall 5, v. C. Crawshaw 9; 18. B. Kivell 2, v. J. H. Thompson 9; H. W. Douglas 9, v. F. W. Wilkie 8; J. <F. Anderson 0, v. 0. Vaughan 9; . N. 'Templar 9, v. Vaughan 9. Ladies' Singles.—Miss E. Mackay 7, v. Miss Black 2 j Miss E. Brayshaw 3, v. Miss Orbell 7; Miss M. Irvine 5, v. Miss I Mackay 7; Miss M. O'Leary 7, v. Mrs. . i Wilkie 2. Men's Doubles.—Brown and Marshall i 9, v. Vaughan and Crawshaw 8; Kivell and Douglas 2, v. Thompson and Wilkie 9; Anderson and Templar 5, v. Home and Wilkie 9. Ladies' Doubles.—Misse9 Mackay and Brayshaw 4, v. Misses Black and Orbell 7; Misses Irvine and O'Leary 5., v. Miss Mackay and Wilkie 7. Combined Doubles.—Miss Mackay and Brown 7, v. Miss Black and Young 3; Miss Brayshaw and Marshall 5, v. Miss Orbell and Crawshaw 7; Miss Irvine and Kivell 1, v. Miss Mackay and Thompson 7; Miss O'Leary and Douglas 5, v. Mrs. Wilkie and! Wilkie 7. 4 Totals: St. Andrew's, 96; Stratford B, 135. GENERAL NEWS. The youngsters frqm the Midhirst, York and Denbigh road schools are having their day at the seaside to-morrow (Friday). Midhirst, like Stratford last week, will observe a close holiday, and in addition as many of the settlers as can be spared from haymaking and the multifarious duties of the farm will also make the journey. They leave Midhirst by the 9 a.m. train, arriving at the Breakwater, the picnic ground, at 11 a.m., and leaving there on the return )journey at 4 p.m. IThe Midhirst Dairy Company is now turning out 122 boxes of butter, just over thrree ions', as against 132 boxes in . the flush of the season. This season the company is receiving the supply from two additional creameries. It is expected that the foil will not be so rapid this year, and that the season will last much longer. To make this a certainty rain is required. Tile turnip crops can also do with iTain. The tests this season are very good, ranging from 3.6 to 5.7. The company introduced an independent tester this season, and the scheme appears to work admirably. There are less complaint-; than when the manager tested, whilst the manager (Mr. Kleeman) is well satisfied with the change, which has not decreased his overrun.