Our Stratford Page

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 277, 20 May 1912, Page 3

Our Stratford Page

* <§> * * * From Our Resident Reporter, * * $ * Broadway North., next Loan & Mercantile Agency Co. $ ************* *********«**«****£

A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the general committee

of the A. and P. Association was held, on Saturday afternoon, Mr. W. P. liirkwood presiding over a fair attendance of members.

Mr. R. Masters wrote that owing to pressure of other business ho was compelled to resign his seat on the executive. lie very much regretted having to do so, us he felt keenly interested in the society's welfare, and would at all times further its interests as a member. —lt was decided to ask Mr. Masters to reconsider his decision, as members expressed the opinion that his services were too valuable to lose.

The question of leasing the association's grounds was left in the hands of a committee consisting of the chairman and Messrs. Healy and Porritt. The report of the association was then read, and in moving its adoption the chairman referred to the proposed conference. He stated that the idea had i been to hold a. conference of societies between Palmerston North and New Ply- J mouth principally to consider local mat- I J ters, but also to discuss remits for the I annual conference at Wellington. One topic for discussion was the admission charge—whether it should be 2s or Is. Egmont had charged 2s under the im- ' pression that Stratford would do likewise. Palmerston North did not favor the conference, and a representative could not be obtained from Wanganui. It might, however, be advisable for the Egmont, Taranaki and Stratford Associations to hold a conference and discuss matters of local interest. He felt that the question of enlarging the people's stand must be gone into before . next show, and a committee had been appointed to consider finance. The question of urging the Government to establish an experimental dairy farm was not one for discussion that day, but he thought he was voicing the opinion of the majority of the members when lie ) suggested that the Government should equip a small farm of some 100 acres and work it as a dairy farm. This would be of use to the small dairy farmer. They 'had visited the Moumalmki dairy farm, and had come away with the impression that it was not of any use to them, as dairy farmers in Taranaki, however useful lit might otherwise be. He believed that if they approached , the Prime Minister with the request for a small farm, they would have a reasonable chance of success.

Mr. R. McK. Morison, in seconding the j motion, said that 'he would support the proposal for the experimental dairy farm—"State model dairy farm," he termed it—most heartily. It would be particularly useful ■in the matter of crops—a question which needed close study. They would probably find that for want of better knowledge that they had been wasting a lot of money in ex-'! perimenting with expensive manures. ! The report was adopted. j The meeting affirmed the principle of j offering a prize for the best kept j dairy farm, and a committee, consisting of Messrs. Dingle, Harkness, Linn, Sang- J ster, Webb and the chairman, was ap-1 pointed to draw up conditions. ]

It was resolved that it be a recommendation to the proposed conference that, if Egmont is willing, the charge should bo gentlemen 2s, ladies ls:also that family tickets be issued to members.

The conditions of the butter-fat competition were discussed. Mr. Webb moved that 10 points be allowed for every pound of casein. The chairman seconded this pro forma, but considered that a special prize should be given for casein, and not interfere with the butter competition. Other members were in favor of the special prize, considering that it would be unfair to alter the conditions; one member remarking that they were asking for a cheese cow now. As Mr. Webb was unwilling to amend his motion, Mr. Dingle moved that the conditions remain as they are, and that a prize be given for casein. He also remarked that he would give two guineas towards this prize, and Mr. R. Ilarkness promised a similar amount. It was finally decided to have two competitions, one for butter-fat and one for butter-fat and casein combined.

~The chairman's resolution re payment of £lO for life membership was carried unanimously. .. .. The chairman remarked that the nex;t five years would be the hardest ■financially far the association, and that the increased revenue would be beneficial. Tn conclusion, he urged all members to do their best.to obtain new members.

OUR POST OFFICE.

The public here certainly have no cause to praise the powers that bo for the accommodation that ;is provided for them at the. local post office and telegraph office. Stratford has ]on<j outgrown the present buildjing with its diminutive counter space and other inconveniences, and other towns of far less importance have much more pretentious atid convenient edifices in which to transact not a tithe of the business which has to be performed in our unsightly, inconvenient 1 out-of-date public building. The tc ■ n elerk some time ago wrote to the Postma-W-Gen-eral, pointing out the .inconvenience under which the general public labored under present conditions, and the need for a new post office, which lias been apparent to residents for years. He lias, however, received a reply which shows that unless the Borough Council, the Chamber of Commerce and other people interested rise up in strong and urgent protest, we will be doomed to put up with present conditions, perhaps slightly modified as ivo-nnl-; inconvenience, but from an architectural standpoint just the reverse. For the building,. which has already been added to on various occasions, is to receive vet another adili-. tion. The letter states that "it has been decided to provide suitable additions to the present buildiiicr. It is not considered that a new building is necessary."

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

There was a crowded attendance at tin's popular house of entertainment on Saturday night, when, in addition to the ordinary bill of fare, a star industrial film was presented showing how New York is supplied with water. The marvellous engineering feat whereby the enormous volume of water is brought a long distance through almost insuperable obstacles was realistically portrayed. To-night. however, is change night, and it is quite safe to say that a 'programme which contains the star dramas. "As in a looking glass" f a most beautiful A.TV gem) and Lubin's greatest Indian drama. "The Teamster," must conform to that high standard of picture excellence that the pronrietress has

set herself to maintain. In addition it contains quite a high class series of dramatic, scenic and topical films, whilst the humorous films are a special feature. On Wednesday evening a grand benefit will be given in aid of the Convent funds, whilst on Saturday next the matinees will commence, every child receiving a handsome present.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMPANY

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT. I The new plant installed by the Electric Lighting Co. sonsists of a 200-lh.p. Diesel oil engine, in conjunction with an I alternator developing 145 kilowatts. The Diesel is said to be the most economical power generator of the present day. It saves space, upkeep, stand-by losses and labor. It requires no warming up, as with steam, and can be put on to full load within one minute of starting. Simplicity of design and operation, combined with easy get-at-able valve motions, has been one of the aims of Mirrless, Bickerton and Day, of Stockport, England. Minimum fuel consumption has been another aim, bringing the actual fuel consumption down to ,471b (less than half a pound) of crude oil per brake-horse-power. Lubricating oil is calculated at 1 2'A P el ' cent, of the fuel-oil consumption; and this lubricating oil is of one kind only, for main bearings, pistons and dynamos. From end to end of the whole plant only one oil is used in lubricating, diltering in this respect from other plants. There is no sparking apparatus, lamp or burner, no carburettor, vaporiser, or mixing valve. Owing to the absence of combustible gases or vapors dur-' ing compression, back-jumping and preignition are impossible. No warming up ' is required, nor is there any fuel expenditure where not running. The running of the engine is very smooth, owing to there being no explosion or sudden°rise ot pressure. The oil generally used is residual petroleum—i.e., the residue left from petroleum after the lighter oils have been distilled off. The increasing demands for petrol will certainly tend to increase the further supply of residue, ] whilst the opening up of new oil wells (New Plymouth, for instance) is steadily increasing oil supplies. Residue shale-oil and gas works tar oil may also be used. 1 The question may naturally be asked whether Diesel engines are suitable for long periods of continuous running. In { reply to this the following instance may ; be quoted: At the Birkdale electricity I works (England) a Mirrlees-Diesel engine was put down a little over four years ago. The station engineer recently made I a i eturn showing that the engine had, ] on the average, worked 23% 'hours out I of every 24 hours throughout the four J years, or an average stoppage of about j IV-2 hours each Sunday. The first Diesel engine made in Great Britain was r. Mirrlees-Diesel engine, and it was made' over fourteen years ago. Consequently j the present Mirrlees-Diesel engine repre-1 sents quite a long experience; and the present appreciation of this engine is not a temporary boom, but is based on J substantial exDerience. j

So great has been the demand for \ Mirrlees-Diesels that the makers, Mirrlees, Bickertou and Day, Ltd., have, in the last eight months, doubled the area of their works, and for a very consider- | able time have been working day and ! night continuously. To this one type of engine Mirrlees, Biekerton and Day, j Ltd., devote the whole of their energies, and they have in the last two months | booked orders for SOO-b.h.p. j The alternator is of a capacity of 145 kilowatts, over-sized a little so" that if it has to run night and day up to its full load it is certain to keep cool. Messrs Brown, Boveri and Co. are the makers. This firm has the reputation of being the makers of the finest alternating current machinery in the world. The new mach- } inery is installed in a building specially [ erected, some distance away from the ' plant previously in use, It was at first intended to erect it alongside the 'old 1 plant, but it was left that before long Stratford would require another machine, | and the configuration of the country at the old site does not lend itself to putting in a series of these plants. The building is a lofty one, 20ft ill the stud, 47ft long and 24ft wide. It is timber framework covered with corrugated iron, and a travelling crane runs the whole length of the building. The engine bed is a solid mass of concrete, over 120 tons of this material having been used.. The flywheel is a massive piece, weighing G l /, tons, and so truly has the machinery been put together that it is not 1-IOOOth part of an inch out. The machinery, runs at 240 revolutions per minute. Mr. W. P. Newton, chief engineer to the company, states that early in June they will be able to take a day load.

GENERAL NEWS.

Mr. A. Klee, postmaster at Whangamomona, will have the sincerest sympathy of a large circle of friends in the bereavement which he has sustained through the death of his wife', which occurred at Wellington' on Friday. The deceased ladv, who had been ill for three months, was only 22 years of age, and was the daughter of Mr." and Mrs!'! W. Mantle, of Tahora. ' Local sportsmen report that birds arc not too plentiful'this year. Three of our shootists, Messrs. G. Hunter, W. R. Davis and IT. Campbell, went for a most enjoyable ton days' tour on the opening of the season. Starting from 'here, they trained to Waitara, then motored' to Urnti and walked across country up the Okau Valley through to Whangamomona, and then home. In all, they covered 200 miles, .and as they, struck, delightful weather, they had a most en-" joyalde. outing, though the total bag was only 21 brace as the result of nine days' shooting. One day, to add a little variety, was devoted tn ]xig hunting., one fine porker being secured. . * The Stratford A. and P. Association has, decided to hold its tfext annual spring show on November 27 and 28. The show will be held on two days only,. as usual, and not for three days as recommended.

It is not often that a female inebriate graces our lock up, hut. on Saturday morning a woman, a new arrival in the town, who had evidently been looking on the wine when it was red, was accommodated with temporary lodging by the local police. The Poultry Society has awarded good prizes for the root crop exhibition, which it is intended to hold in connection with the local poultry show on July 3 and 4, and it behoves farmers and gardeners to signalise their appreciation by entering largely. Special prizes have been awarded for the best collection of each of the following:—Swedes, mangolds, potatoes, and carrots. Collection means three roots of each of three varieties. General rot crop classes are provided