Our Stratford Page

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 278, 21 May 1912, Page 3

Our Stratford Page

j THE RAILWAY CROSSINf. NO PROGRESS MADE. The following reply has been received from the Hon. A. M. Myers, Minister of Railways, in answer to a request made by a local deputation to the Minister of Public Works that a subway should bs made at the Teuton street crossing, for the safety of children on their way to ; school:—"With regard to the represen- ' tations which were made by the deputa- I tion which waited upon the Minister for | Public Works recently, urging that a I subway should be provided at Fenton I street, Stratford, for the use of school I children crossing the line, I have the ! honor to inform you that there is no special element of danger at the cross* ing in question, and the experience of the Department over a long series of years has shown that children generally enjoy an almost absolute immunity from accident at level crossings, probably on account of the fact that they are much more alive to the operations going on about them than older people. The Department's experience also shows that in almost every instance where an accident has occurred at a level crossing it has been due to the carelessness of the parties concerned, andr that drivers of vehicles and others will persist in passing over the line directly in front of approaching trains, in spite of the warnings of crossing-keepers or the warning bells where such are established. Instructions have recently been given for warning bells to be provided at both Fenton and Regan street crossings, and this, in my opinion, should suffice for the actual requirements of the traffic." The reply of the Minister is not regarded as very satisfactory. The assurance that warning bells will be erected is. however, cheering, and serves to indicate once more the intimate knowledge of detail possessed by some of the officials in Wellington. Most people were' aware locally that the tinklers placed at the crossings were hardly warning bells, but it was not generally known that the Railway Department held the same view. If these little chaps are taken off the posts and loaned to some enterprising auctioneer or showman, and are replaced by something that really deserves the name of warning bells, the) deputationists will feel that their. elo- | quence has not been altogether .wasted. Could it be possible for the Department! to give a hint to engine-drivers that the • crossing is not an ordinary country byroad crossing? If the whistle given at Regan street were a long warning whistle it would be of use. The twostoreyed leather warehouse recently erected by Messrs. S. H. James and Co. effectually shuts out the approaching south-bound trains from the view of people driving down Regan street, and. when the weather is on the rough side, \ with a half-gale piping down from the [ mountain, the tinklers don't give the J warning that they should. Remember > the deafening whistle that used to herald the approach of the trains before crossing Devon street? Someone suggests footbridges over the line, but then there is "no special danger" in the crossings, although one of them is on one of the busiest country-going roads in the province, and the trains which do shunting hold up the traffic many times a day. FOOTBALL On Thursday next we will have no football in Stratford, as our seniors journey to Waitara and our juniors to New Plymouth. Our thirds were to have had a match here; but the defection of Tukapa and Star from the contest *«• cess'itated a rearrangement, and as the result our boys have a bye. They will, however, have the opportunity ito indulge in some useful practice, and it is to be hoped that they will avail themselves of the opportunity more than did their seniors last Thursday, for of the teams picked on that occasion to take part in the seven-a-side tournament only about five members rolled up. The teams to do battle for Stratford next Thursday are as follows: 'Seniors v. Clifton, at Waitara, leaving by the meming train.—Kivell, Surgenor, Crawshaw, Anderson, Dud Cameron, C. Stewart, Wood, Bonnor, Fearon (3), Whittlngton, Young, Boon and Sullivan, v First Juniors v. Tukapa, at New Plymouth, leaving by the morning train.— Watkins, Callaghan, S. James, Osborne, A. Brown, Hancock (2), Ponty Jones, H. Masters, Lovoridge, Bowler, Bayly, F. Sheehan, A. Brown and F. Collins.

A. & P. ASSOCIATION. The report of the executive of the Asfiociation to the general committee showed that the Association's work was going on satisfactorily. The grounds had "been steadily improved, practically the whole 38 acres being in a high state of cultivation. There was only one piece, of ahout four acres, that was at all rough, and it was proposed to deal with this early. The grounds were now leased for £3B per anr'im, and being grazed mostly by shin; were in fair heart. Outstanding and donations were larger than was desirable, but the newly appointed secretary was making an active canvass to reduce the amount. Since February 9 there had been fourteen meetings of the executive and two of the general committee. The report also referred to the question of the conference, enlargement of the stand, and other matters, which were amplified by the chairman in his remarks. It also stated that a .meeting of delegates to be .appointed by bodies interested had been convened by the executive, to be held in Stratford on Saturday next, to consider making representations to the Government for the establishment of an experimental dairy farm, primarily for dairy cattle, in Taranaki. BERNARD'S PICTURES The new change of programme at His Majesty's Theatre introduces some pictures of startling merit. "As in a looking-glass" delighted the audience last nisbt, and George Lebrun's dramatisation of "Velvet and Rags," or ihe picture story based on it, lost nothing by the skilful operation and brilliant illumination by Mine. Bernard's staff and plant. The- industrial film, "Great Engineering Feats," was of a class that tends to educate and entertain at the, same time. The average picture-goer enjoys these fine industrial films, and likes them Wt, as the present picture is, in a surrounding programme of fine dramatic' films and humorous and novelty pictures, and to the accompaniment of the fine music provided by the Elite Orchestra. This programme, which includes tho following pictures, will be

* From Our Resident Reporter. * * * * Broadway North., next Loan & Mercantile Agency Co. $ ************* ******************

shown to-night and to-morrow night:— "The Teamster" (drama), "As m a Look-ing-glass" (drama), "The Inner Mind" (drama), "Caught with the Goods" (comic), "Willie Wise and the Motor Boat" (comedy), "Why he gave up" (comedy), "The Living Peach" (comedy), "Australian Gazette, No. 71" (topical), "Who's Who in Doggy Land" (novelty). On Wednesday night the performance in aid of tke Convent dormitory funds will be given, and a full house is assured. ENTERTAINMENTS. GRAND SCOTCH CONCERT. _ The Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society have made complete arrangements for a most successful and enjoyable gathering on the occasion of the first grand social and dance which is to be held under its auspices in the Stratford Town Hall on Friday next (Empire Day). It is the committee's intention to have a real Scotch night; every item, both vocal and instrumental, will 'be reminiscent of the land of the heather. The Society have spared no pains to secure the best talent available, and Taranaki people will have the opportunity of hearing Madame Groome, the well-known Scotch soprano, of Wellington, and Miss McNab, who is equally famous in the northern metropolis. Mr. E. Sargent, of Hawera, will also contribute to the programme, as will the leading local talent, including the Stratford male quartette. For the dance which will follow nothing has been omitted to ensure the enjoyment o| those who delight in dancing. The fact that Beesley's orchestra has been engaged is a guarantee that the music will be of the best, and special preparations have also been made for the catering by a large ladies' committee. It is expected that the function will be well patronised by the residents of Taranaki, i particularly by those of Scotch birth and j descent. OPUNAKE RAILWAY COMMISSION. ! The Opunake Railway Commission aits at Stratford to-day. Evidence will be tendered on behalf 'of the Stratford Borough Council. Stratford 'Chamber of ' Commeree, Stratford Retailers' Associa- I tion, and by leading farmers, all directed J towards proving to the commissioners] that Stratford is the one and only point: at which the line can junction. There are in all four suggested routes, and as ' there is apparently a big block of pub-1 lie opinion in favor of each, the commis- J sioners' lot in deciding will not be a happy one. The personnel of the commission is such as to inspire confidence in their judgment, and under the circumstances the three turned-down routes will no doubt take their beating like men. The members of the commission •! —Messrs. Holmes (Chief Engineer of the J Public Works Department), Burnett ] (Chief Engineer of Railways), Bullard (Commissioner of Crown Lands), and Clifton (Director of the Fields Division of the Agricultural Department), together with the secretary (Mr. W. Mc- ! Namara), and shorthand reporter (Mr. Poison)—are staying at the County Hotel. GENERAL NEWS The profit from the recent gymkhana, despite its postponement, amounted to £7l Is 3d, and this amount has been earmarked by the executive of the Stratford A. & P. Association for the extension of the members' 6tand. v (Mr. Corrigan met with an accident on Friday, as the result of which he was admitted to the local hospital with a dislocated shoulder. This was attended to by Dr. Steven, and the sufferer was able to leave the institution to-day. It is understood that he .was driving in from Toko on Friday, when the trap eapsized and he was thrown out. The following changes in the current list of subscribers to the Stratford Telephone Exchange are announced, % viz.:—Connection given up, No. 98, Mrs.i H. Brown; No. 25, W. G. Malone (secondstelephone); No. 136, W. H. Masters; and No. 113, W. H. Robinson. New connections: No. 98, F. Pinson, Liana way House, Regan street; No. 113, Taranaki Daily News Office, Broadway north; No. 13(5, McCluggage & Co., land and estate agents, Broadway; No. 181, R. Gredig, hiring motorist, Juliet street south; No. 25, P. McAllister, photographer, Broadway; No. 15?, B. Fearon, insurance and commission agent, Broadway; No. 183, F. H. Wilkie, private residence, Arisl street; and No. 184,-F. ¥. Fussell, private residence, .Orlando street. Mr. E. C. Kobinson's connection {No. 138) has' been shifted from Bridge Buildings to the subscriber's private residence, Juliet' street.- .-'.'. . i

The female inebriate who was arrested, on Saturday for drunkenness was later on brought before Mr. 0. D.- Sole, J.P., J and.convicted and fined ss. '- ! Mr. J. W. Boon, contractor for the erection of • the isolation -ward at the local hospital, is making good progress with the-work.. In keeping with the rest of the structure, the material used is brick. The Stratford Masonic Lodge was well represented at the funeral of the late. Wor. Bro,' F. C. Bennett, which took place in Inglewood-on Sunday. The funeral was. a very, large one, being attended by Members >of both the Masonic and Foresters' (societies, of which deceased was a prominent member, in addition to numerous residents of Inglewood -and district. ..** '' :" ' The Norwoods, who .with their hypnotic entertainment have been amusing large crowds wherever they have appeared in Taranaki, are booked here for a three days' season, starting on May 30. The Town .Hall, has also been engaged for May 25, the dav after the Scot-i tish concert, by the Newbury-Spada Company. Mr. J. H. Thompson has resigned the position of organist..of the Wesley Church, a position he has Died with conspicuous ability for fourteen' or fifteen years past. Apart from his cqnscientiouS and regular rendering of the music for church services, Mr. Thompson has done good service by promoting and conducting musical festivals, the proceeds of which have largely assisted in placing the Stratford AVesley Church in its present satisfactory financial position.