Our Stratford Page

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 208, 1 March 1912, Page 3

Our Stratford Page

THE RAILWAY SERVICE

To the Editor. Sir,—l was glad to notice your reference to the railway service and the very great improvement which has been effected by running the early morning goods train to Stratford. It is a pity if some steps are not taken with a view of having this service maintained. It would then be possible to smarten the pace of the 7.40 train from New Plymouth, which now takes over two hours and a half to do the journey. The Chamber of Commerce ought to have thought of this without having to he probed up like this. But we haven't heard anything from the Chamber of Commerce since the failure of the great agitation for a Saturday half-holiday. Perhaps the Borough Council, which is certainly a "live" body of late, could be persuaded to do something.—Thanking you, etc., ORLANDO.

A BEAUTIFXuw SOCIETY Conversing with a very old residen . the other day I learned that at one timi the railway journey through this dis triet was pretty and enjoyable, th< dense bush on either side of the line ii places having a charm entirely its own "But now," he said, and then forbore It is unavoidable, perhaps, that in th< making of a town or in the making oJ homesteads where but a few years age stood and swayed the forest primeval the hand of man should appear ruthless and hard. The bush is beautiful but as long as the bush stands there is no room for the plough, and little or no feed for the cow, which latter has been the mainstay of Taranaki for years past, but which is more and more dependent year by year upon the former. The bush felled, the fire is applied, and soon a blackened waste replaces the glorious native bush. And many years must elapse before the blackened logs have rotted away or been disposed of by the user of the land. But as the setI tlemcnt progresses the shanties give place to modern houses, and the mud lanes are forgotten by the users of good metalled roads, families reside and flourish where but a few years ago brawny bushmen and toiling" tradesmen could barely exist. There comes over'the landscape a gladdening change. Hedgerows, plantations, gardens, beautify the private holdings. The spaces set apart for [recreation, either cleared for the pursuit of athletic games or reserved in the natural state for rambling paths and shady nooks, begin to attract some* attention. A few men shoulder the burden of preserving these public breathing spaces, beautifying them and utilising them or rendering them fit to be utilised by their owners, the public at large. Struggling along, often jeered at for preserving the standing bush where grass would be a greater revenue-producer, reviled because of the inequalities or deficiencies in the sports grounds, but ever doing their best in the. interests of the grounds, whose custodians they are, these men are performing a service for which they shall in time be called blessed. Every town has its hobbyists in this direction. Here in Stratford we have ours. But they are not given adequate support. The great majority of townspeople seem to have little time for beautifying the parks. How can interest be aroused? Possibly by the formation of a beautifying society, whose business it will be to change unsightly public places into beauty spots, and to act in conjunction with the Domain Board as far /as possible. Stratford offers great opportunities for such a society's operations. Many of our broad side streets might well have their avenues of trees. There is Victoria Park, a fine piece of property, now well protected from the cold blasts, and just ready for some enthusiasts to beautify. There is a big pond or lakelet in the park, and around the banks of this the sloping ground might be made a rare beauty spot. Stratford needs beautifying. A brisk commercial centre, it will not attract as residents men of means, nor will it hold them when means and old age have been acquired, unless something is done to make it attractive. The geographical position of Stratford seems to be the piliar on which too many depend too much. "Look at our central situation," they say. "We can't help being great." True. But why not hasten the greatness? Why not make our town beautiful, too?

" THE DOUBLE EVENT." In this land of sport, where even the babies are alleged to lay odds on the chances of being whacked for breaches of nursery discipline, the -works of Nat Gould find a ready sale. So a very big majority of our readers will know the thrilling story entitled "The Double Event," written by the most popular sporting author of the day. The story is to be told at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday and Tuesday next by the cinematograph, with a lecture by Mr. Alf Boothman. The film is said to be one of the greatest feats of cinematography ever attempted, and tremendous business has been clone wherever it has been shown. The pictures include a wondrous glimpse of the Flemington racecourse and lawn at Cup time, gay with thousands of visitor*, the finish of the great race, and most of-the outstanding incidents of the book. Mr. Boothman has achieved fame as a raconteur, and his spoken parts add in no small degree to the success of the production. "The Double Evsnfc" will be preceded and followed by a. number of high-class educational, comic and dramatic films, and the orchestra will support the pictures with new music. Despite the heavy expense incurred by Mme. Bernard in securing this great film, the charge will remain the same—one shilling to all parts of the house, with the usual concession for children.

lAWN TENNIS ST. ANDREWS v. W.Y.M.I. The second teams of these clubs met on the St. Andrew's Courts this afternoon. The weather was extremely warm, but the courts played all the better for the recent rains. The alphabetical team was badly worsted. The New Plymouth and Stratford lawn tennis clubs were to have played theiß postponed match at Stratford today, but New Plymouth was unable to bring down a team. Bad luck and bad ■weather seem to "dog" this fixture. BOWLS Stratford sent five rinks to Inglewood to-day, but the local men were too good by 44 points. _. , > __

GENERAL.

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

Mr. L. H. Vann, well-known on the cycling track, and recently on the head office staff of Mr. P. C. Price, cycle and phonograph dealer, Wangamii, has succeeded Mr. Parsons as manager of the Stratford branch. Broadway loses in Mr. Parsons a familiar figure, for he has been in charge of the business for ten years or more, and is' as well known—and certainly more conspicuous as a rule —than our town clock. Mr. Parsons intends residing in Palmerston North, and will carry with him the best wishes of a large circle of friends for success in his new undertaking. Mr. George Hall is the latest resident to launch into the motoring world. He expects a fine Siddeley car to land from Home in the course of a few days. The friendly societies in the Inglewood district held their annual picnic to-day, a large crowd of adults and children travelling by special train to the Ngaere Gardens. Showery weather } prevailed, but still it was a happy band that returned by "special" about five o'clock.