Our Stratford Page

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 210, 11 March 1912, Page 3

Our Stratford Page

Stratford. Saturday.

THE LIBRARY.

The Borough Council has done nothing yet in regard to the improvement of the library and reading-room. Some day something will be done. Meanwhile people are free to strip newspapers off the reading desks and carry them about just as they like, and, of course, they never think of returning them. Some of the files of papers have gaps of three and fonr days,'but the patient individual can sometimes find the paper he wants if he's very patient and has been trained in school paper-chases. It isn't the fault of the attendant, for whom the library is a sort of side-line, but the! fault of the system, if system it can be called. SWIMMING. The swimmers are holding a big carnival next Thursday with a view of effecting considerable necessary improvements at the baths. Mr. J. Master©' cup, to be presented* to the winner of the S.A.S.C. championship, has been handed to Mr. E. B. Stohr on behalf of the club, and it will duty appear in the window of this enthusiastic supporter of swimming. It is an exceedingly neat and handsome trophy, worthy of the event for which it is presented. IN THE AIR. _ There's, something in the air concerning the finding of a more convenient home for the Stratford Lawn Tennis Club. As yet the idea is in embryo, but then all big undertakings must have been at that stage once upon a time. Some members of the club have,, it is mooted, quite informally discussed amongst themselves the question of securing for lawn tennis purposes a portion ■ of Victoria Park, an idea which has been once or twice mentioned in this column, J except that no mention was made of any one particular club making up its mind to use the park for the sensible purpose for which it was originally in- | tended. The lawns in Regan street west are felt to be rather distant' from the ' i middle of the town, whilst Victoria Park is almost withiij hail of the post office. The acquisition of a portion of Pukekura Park in New Plymouth for) lawn tennis purposes has been attended j with the greatest success, and there can j be no doubt that the Stratford Domain J Board would meet the tennis people in ; lan equally liberal spirit. Of course, one needn't go as far from home for an example, because the Stratford Croquet Club already occupies portion of Victoria Park, and has effected such a wonderful improvement as to prove to the hilt the advisableness of encouraging people ■ to use this fine recreation reserve for the pursuit of their open-air pastimes and sports. j

HEADQUARTERS FOR TERRITORIALS WILL STRATFORD DO ANYTHING! ■ Whilst confirmation is lacking in regard to the statement made in a southern contemporary recently that the headquarters of the Territorials in Taranalci are to be ihoved to Hawera, there is no doubt that this suggestion is one of the straws which show how the wind blows. Now it is worth something to the town of Stratford to retain the headquarters here in their natural situation, for Stratford is undoubtedly the most convenient centre. It has been found suitable in every way as a stationing place for drill instructors and area officers, for practically every unit in the regiment is within easy reach of Stratford, and the train service is very suitable. The possession of the headquarters of the regiment must add considerably in time to the status of the town, and we must benefit indirectly from the fact that the authorities recognise the "strategical advantages" of the place, besides direct benefits from the holding of big encampments here. So that for the town to make an effort to retain the headquarters is only a fair business proposition. The only reason which has been advanced for moving the headquarters to another town is that suitable buildings are not obtainable here. The Defence Department is not yet undertaking the erection of drill halls or offices, on account of the heavy outlay required, so it must be guided a good deal by the facilities offered in the various towns. Can Stratford provide the facilities required? Not just at present, but there is no reason why the Stratford people, through their elected representatives, should not erect a drill hall and offices which would ensure the headquarters of the 11th (Taranaki) Regiment being fixed in Stratford. There are numerous municipal reserves in the borough, either let from year to year or untenanted. There is a half-acre reserve in Orlando street which would make an excellent building site for the purpose. The erection of a shell for drill purposes should not entail a big expense. Of course, it would be poor business to erect it "on spec," but the Council might ascertain whether, in the event of such a building being put up, the Defence Department would lease it at a fair rental for a term of years. Whilst the Stratford A. and P. Association has at present set its face against the holding of a winter show, there can be no doubt that as the town grows and the district progresses, there will be a demand for something of the kind. The f.'ct of this being the .junction for the Main Trunk branch railway and —whisper it low—the possible junction for the Opunake railway, brings the project nearer. Such a building as that proposed would make an excellent home for a winter show.

Stratford has achieved a reputation for progressiveness and enterprise. Here is an opportunity—which should actually cost nothing, for the rental would cover interest and sinking fund—of pushing Stratford ahead. It looks a good, sound, business proposition on sight. Will the Borough Council take notice of the matter at Monday's meeting? Perhaps the Town Hall Committee could include a mention of it in the report which has to be presented to the next meeting on the matter of the avoidance of Stratford by so many theatrical companies. • GENERAL NEWS. The death is announced of Mrs. S. Turkington, wife of Mr. S. Turkington, formerly schoolmaster at Mahoe, and now of Huiakama. The deceased, who was 56 years of age, had been ailing for several months. Mr. P. J. Morgan, first assistant master at the Stratford District High School, is confined to his bed, and he will be unable to resume his duties for some time yet.

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

Messrs, C. Speck and C. Jackson have returned from Trentham. Though they had to leave the belt behind, each has ft well-filled sovereign case as the result of their markmanship. They pay that the Stratford competitors will always be handicapped; because of the absence of a long distance range here. It was ascertained that all the topnotchers in the aggregate were men who were accustomed to practise at long ranges, whilst those who were debarred from so doing fell away when the longrange shooting came on. We had Miss Mary Baines' Company here on Friday, Miss Baines may be glad of the appreciation of "a girl from Lancashire," who declares the accent and the dialect were eo perfect that "it made me cry," and the lady spoke feelingly with an accent that betrayed her Lancashire upbringing. Miss Baines' work was about the best seen here for many a long day. Some members of the caste showed poorly by contrast, but it was a rollicking night's laughter. In this issue Mr.. Frank gird, returning officer, declares the result of the Stratford Licensing Committee election. Mr. E. C. Robinson, county engineer., ! invites tenders, for metalling n s -] of the -Mangaehu road and re-metalling I a mile' of the Wawiri road. i

BERNARD'S PICTURES. For the first time for m;onths the change of pictures, commencing to-night at His Majesty's Theatre, Stratford,' consists of twelve distinct films. It includes some meritorious cinematography, and it is said that no finer dramas have, ever been seen here than those included in the present bill-of-fare, whilst "The Wonders of Crystallisation" is another wonderfully good film. Picture patrons, regular and casual, should see this programme.

, The tailor who guarantees the greatest values is bound to secure much of the tailoring business in any district. The Egmont Clothing Company, which has now opened its samples of autumn suitings in time to make your Easter suit to measure, has as its motto, "to give the greatest values." The autumn suits will have the double strength of integrity and individuality, and the samples give an excellent choice.