Our Stratford Page

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 220, 15 March 1912, Page 3

Our Stratford Page

Stratford, Thursday. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH RESIGNATION OF THE MINISTER, As the outcome of somewhat strained relations which, have existed between the minister and the congregation for a very long time, the Rev. J. M. Thomson, M.A., has resigned his charge of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church at Stratford. A meeting of the congregation in connection therewith will probably be held next week. ATHLETICS "ROUND THE MOUNTAIN" CYCLE RACE. There is a probability, I am told, that the "Round the Mountain" cycle race will be held a fortnight later this year than last year, owing to the date of the Christchurch-to-Timaru race being shifted on a couple of weeks. It is to ] be hoped that the promoters will have I better weather this time, or, if they j can't arrange this little matter, an innovation that would be appreciated here, if not 'by the riders, would be the hosingdown of the competitors as they crose the bridge, thus enabling the spectators to identify the muddy men who do all this work for the honor and glory—and other things.

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. THE QUESTION OP UNION. Meetings have been held in the various districts this week by the Primitive Methodist connexion to discuss the question of church union—the amalgamation of the Primitive Methodist Church with the Methodist Church. At each meeting a poll has been taken on the question. Whilst it is not permissible for the actual results to be handed to the press for publication, I am given to understand that there is a strong feeling, and a big majority, in favor of the unioi. The Stratford Primitive Methodist Sunday School picnic was held to-day. Owing to the bad weather the youngsters lost the usual outdoor gathering, but gathered in large numbers at the schoolroom and appeared to have a merry time. The harvest festival services aTe to be held here on Sunday next. The liev. Mr. Hyde will preach in the evening, when the pastor, the Rev. B. Metson, will conduct the anniversary service at Stanley road. He will preach at the [ morning service at Stratford. The congregational gatherings in connection with the harvest thanksgiving will be held on Tuesday, and will take the form! of a "fruit and jelly social." I

THE MAYORALTY. *j The name of Mr. W. P. Kirkwood is being mentioned as a possible candidate i for the Mayoralty. Mr. Kirkwood has seen service 'on the Borough Council, and is president of the A. and P. Association, which is, perhaps, just as important a body as the council, though its meetings don't as a rule make nearly as interesting reading. STRATFORD—MAIN TRUNK THROUGH THE WHANGA' TUNNEL.' It is quite on the cards that the settlers will now apply to the Publie Works Department to construct a temporary siding at the Mangare road, to which point the rails on the StratfordTe Koura railway will shortly be available for traffic. Such a siding, or loop, may be made for the convenience of the Department itself, for large quantities of railway material will have to be sent to the front, including the girders and other material for the bridges. With such a siding, and with the Public Works Department conducting goods anS passenger traffic to that point as it does now to the 33-mile siding, the coach and waggon traffic over the Whangamomona Saddle will no longer be necessary. The "saddle" is in a terrible state just now, quite unfit for wheeled traffic. When at last the journey over the hill is no longer necessary, then the full benefit to accrue from the railway will begin to be appreciated. The saddle has been in a great means the cause of some of the delay in the extension of the railway to Whangamomona. Had there been a decent service road the bridges might have been completed b\ now, but it was manifestly unwise to send material 'by road when the cartage of gravel from the Pohokura siding to the site of the first bridge was given ftt 25s a yard. The quotation of this price may give outsiders some idea of the burden of the backblocks. Formation work is now proceeding along the whole length from Whangamomona to Kohuratahi, and preparatory work is in hand as far as the Tahora Saddle.

THE POULTRY SHOW. The Stratford" Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Show has applied to tlie North Island Poultry Association for either of the following groups of championships for the first annual show to be held in the Stratford Town Hall on July 3rd and 4th next:—(a) White. Brown and Black Leghorns, and Minorcas; (b) Silver. Golden. White, and Columbian Wyandottes: (c) Barred and White Plymouth Bocks. Information regarding the show can he obtained from Mv. C. Downey, the secretary.

BERNARD'S PICTURES There _ was a good attendance at His Majesty's Theatre to-night to view the new change programme. The pictures screened were a triumph of cinematographic art; in fact, it is difficult to comprehend that anything could be superior. "Winter in Finland" is a veritable gem, and would be an ideal setting for Fairyland, so dainty and picturesque are the water and ice effects. The great prairie drama "Fighting Blood" also appealed strongly. It is a high class American production, well acted, well set, and well mounted. A feature of "Saved by a Pony Express" is the magnificent horsemanship displayed therein. The other pictures, both .topical and dramatic, are all of high merit. It was found impossible to open the dress circle to-night, but this will jbe opened without fail on Saturday I night. On Monday night the "Two Orphans" will be screened. Of this a contemporary says:—"The most successful dramas ever produced are those which set down with perfect naturalness the common virtues and common failings of humanity. The caricatures of | human emotion, the exaggerations of I daily life appeal momentarily and die. 1 The simpler stories become classics. The

* * * * From Our Resident Reporter. * * Office: No. 3, York Chambers, Stratford. * a********* *

Two Orphans' is a classic, simply because it is a replica of human nature, telle the common story of love, life, hate, fortune, and. misfortune, it ig claimed that the cinematographic representation of this dramatic classic by Selig is the finest of its kind ever presented. for every possible means have been taken to obtain the living realism that makes the story unique. To suggest the many thrilling incidents of a truly great picture drama would minimise the value of the production, and it is therefore sufficient to mention that it is so full of vivid incident that it is followed with the closest interest." GENERAL NEWS ! The weather has rather upset the calculations of the officials who promised that the load would be opened right through the Ohura for wheel traffic by 31st March, but, should the fates become only reasonably propitious, the cart road will be opened up the full length before winter sets in. , Constable and Mrs. A. Mcintosh left Stratford this morning for Christchurch, to which city Constable Macintosh has been transferred. The Taranaki Scottish Society's general committee will meet at Stratford] on the 20th inst.

It is reported that Mr. 8,. H. Campbell has bought the licensee's interest in the' Wiangamomona Hotel, and that the popular "Fred" Calgher will be leaving Whangamomona shortly for fresh fields and pastures new. Stratford exhibitors did well at the Inglewood Horticultural Show to-day. You may frequently hear fearful tales' about the Stratford climate, but Stratford rose growers, sweet pea fanciers, and dahlia enthusiasts have a knack of monopolising a big share of the prizelist wherever they exhibit. There's ( hardly need for further comment in the ) matter. : At some early hour this morning a glass shelf in Mr. J. Petrie's jexvelfery window broke, As Mr. Petrie, jun., was gathering up the fragments, he slipped and cut his leg against a large jagged edge, necessitating the insertion of a few stitches. A meeting of the Egmont National Park Board is to be held next Wednesday at the Stratford House. It is hoped 1 the board will see-for themselves the extent of the work carried out by the Stratford committee under very adverse circumstances. The funeral of the late J. H. Mackay took place this afternoon, and, despite the heavy rain, wae largely attended. Representatives were present of all tk» principal racing clubs and sporting institutions in Taranaki. Floral tributes were numerous. The Rev. W. A. Butler conducted the funeral ceremony. A dismounted parade of the Mounted Rifles was held to-day. There was a very fair muster. The rain made it impossible to do mounted work. SergfeantMajor Dunham was in charge. Constable Scannel, of Whangamomona, has returned from his month's leave. I Constable Liston, who has been reliev-1 ing, returns to Te Wera.