Our Stratford Page

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 207, 29 February 1912, Page 3

Our Stratford Page

THE RAILWAY SERVICE

Stratford merchants have come to look on the early morning goods train from New Plymouth as somewhat of a blessing, for by its means it is possible to have merchandise unloaded, carted, unpacked and sold long before the time at which it would'arrive here but for this train. This goods train leaves New Plymouth, I believe, at about six o'clock, and arrives here shortly after eight o'clock. The next inward goods traffic from the north is at a few minutes before t(;n o'clock, by which time the south train has added to the accumulation of trucks. The ten o'clock train | —7.40 a.m. from New Plymouth—was 1 frequently overloaded, hence the running of the early goods train, and the engine on its return journey picks up trucks and waggons which would otherwise be taken in by a mixed passenger train—to the delay of the letter and the annoyance of the passengers—or compelled to wait for the up goods train at night. Unfortunately, it is the rumored intention of the Railway Department to take this train off shortly. Couldn't the Stratford Chamber of Commerce make representations, in the matter to have the train retained, so as to ease the load and- assist in keeping the time-table,! on the second morning train from New I Plymouth 1

THE EGMONT CLUB. , ' ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of members of the Egmont Club on Wednesday evening wan fairly well attended, but, as was remarked by one of the speakers, the young men for whom the club was founded were apparently content to leave the business management to the older men. Mr. J. Masters, the president, occupied the chair, and warmly congratulated the members and man- ,j agers on the excellent results of the' year and the comfort and convenience secured by erecting the new club house. He remarked that the lady friends of the members were anxious for another social evening such as had been given on the opening night, and he hoped that there would be at least three of those functibns annually. He urged members to be loyal to the club, to protect its furnishings andsproperties for their own sake, and to do all in their power to maintain the excellent tone and repu- i tation'which the club now held. Other j speakers following in a like strain, and the report and balance-sheet were adopted. Officers for the ensuing, year were elected: Patron, Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P.; president, Mr. J. Masters; vice:presidents, Messrs. G. X. Curtis, N. J. King and Dr. Stevep; secretary, Mr. G. Rich■ter; treasurer, Mr. J. McAllister; committee, the guarantors and Messrs. W. H. Robinson, P. Willson, F. Dunlop, H. J. Thompson and H. J. Ashton; auditor, Mr. J. H. Thompson. It was decided to recommend the com-1 mittee to institute a debating society | in connection with the club, and to en-1 deavor to make arrangements for open l ing the club at ten o'clock in the morn-, ing. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr. A. Woodhead for his kind offer to lend his collection of Maori carving for the hall; to Messrs. Woodhead and Ward , for supplying flowers for the tables; to | Mr. T. G. Grubb for the loan of a piano j for uso by members; to.the outgoing offloors; and to the steward. A motion regarding issue of debentures was discussed, but the meeting was not in order in proceeding with it, and the matter will come up again at a future meeting. "HARVEST HOME." The Wesley Church workers had a really good harvest on Tuesday. Most of the crop was garnered by electric light, and whilst not consisting of golden ears of corn, it totalled up in silver and copper to the value of about seventy or eighty- golden The most modern machinery was used in the harvest field. An auctioneer (Mr/ G. Pugh) wielded the hammer in the place of a sickle. Wasn't*there fun? And didn't the Held yield handsomely? There were hat-trimming, nail-driving and wood-saw-ing competitions, too, and the Mayor was beaten badly in the last-named by a younger edition of the Masters family. Altogether, the sale of work was as enjoyable as it was profitable, and the workers one and all arc entitled to the utmost praise. The object was to extinguish the circuit debt of £53. That debt can be wiped out, and there's a bit in hand, to prevent another one arriving just yet.

HUNTING

* From Our Resident Reporter. * $ * * Office: No. 3, York Chambers, Stratford. ❖ 4. * *************'******************

The North Taranaki Hunt Club missed a good opportunity on Tuesday to form a branch here. Mr. E. Jackson and Mr, C. Jackson had been working,, hard to interest the men of the district, and there was a very fair attendance. However, the club's representatives failed to materialise. The intending members will be watching the Daily News for the announcement of the next meeting, There is no reason why the Stratford branch of the club should not be a very strong one, including members from as far north as Tariki and south to Ngaerc, or even Eltham. \ MISS ROSINA BUCKMAN. Music-lovers will welcome the advent of Miss Eosina Buckman and her talented company. New Zealand's "Queen of Song" should draw a big house, and for Stratford's, sake let us hope the Town Hall will be well filled. •, CRICKET Normanby and Stratford cricket clubs were to have met here to-day in the championship series, but the Normanby team didn't arrive, nor did they notify their intention of' forfeiting. The Public Works team, which "outed" Pohokura last Saturday, is looking for more ashes, and have challenged the local bank officials to a match on Saturday next. GENERAL It will be four years from to-day before the date "February 29" appears along the 'top of the newspaper sheet, unless, of course, there's a mistake somewhere. So far there is no record of a rush of leap year marriages. The Stratford Bowling Club sends five rinks to Inglewood to-morrow to play a "banner" match and an inter-club game. The garden party at Mr. H. Sanders' ground to-morrow (Thursday) afternoon wants but fine weather to ensure success. A delightful afternoon in delightful surroundings can be spent for a shilling. Mr. W. G. Malone returned last night from Hamilton;, where he was successfully engaged as senior counsel in a Supreme Court case. Mr. J. ifcCluggage left on Tuesday on a short visit to Wellington. The second distance of the Stratford Swimming Club championship series will be swum at the baths to-morrow at 4 p.m. Arrangements are well forward for Friday night's carnival. 'Mr. Newton King advertises that he is now receiving entries for the Stratfbrd autumn horse fair on March 22 and