Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 301, 17 June 1912, Page 3

Stratford News

' From our Resident Reporter. N THE MOUNTAIN RAILWAY. SETTLERS DENIED THE USE OF IT. • A couple of months ago mention was made in this column of the desire of the York road settlers to use the lit. Egmont branch railway for goods and passenger traffic. A petition was prepared, : asking that the line be made available for goods traffic, and this was forwarded to the Minister of Railways early in April by Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P., who has now received the following telegraphic reply:— ■'J. B. Hine, Esq., M.P., Toko.—ln reply to your telegram re petition York road, my Departmental officers have reported unfavorably, as line was built for ballast purposes only, and in the circumstances I regret I am unable to do as petitioners desire.—A. M. Myers," Mr. Hine has replied as follows: "Toko, June 14th, 1012.—T0 the Hon. A. M. Myers, Minister of Railways, Wellington. —Dear Sir,—l have to acknowledge your telegram of yesterday, in which you state your inability .to allow farmers' goods to be carried on the Egmont branch railway line, and in reply must express my astonishment with your decision, and can only think you do not understand the position. I take it your' desire is to make the railways cater for the public requirements, and, if so, I ask you to consider the following facts: —The Egmont line is at present used for hauling ballast and stone from the quarry, and the trucks are always returned empty; therefore the argument cannot be one of overloading the engine. The branch line crosses the York road at a suitable place for a loopline to be laid down, and as for the carriage of farmers' produce outwardi, the grade is all downhilK . Therefore, several additional trucks could be taken along without any trouble. I trust it is not contemplated that settlers are to be denied .the use of railway facilities in this country simply because some departmental officers consider the railway was built for ballast purposes only, but rather the policy should be such that these officials would be on the alert to extend the usefulness of the railways, instead of being allowed to hamper the service. Trusting you will make a personal investigation of this matter.—l am, yours faithfully, J. 8..H1NE." In conversation With railway officers a while ago, I was told that if the De-, partment allowed goods traffic over the line there would soon cotte the request for a 'passenger station and then for a time-table service; .The latter would be impracticable', arid passenger traffic too dangerous. Of'course, the questio'n suggests itself: If the line is not safe for men'and women to travel on, is it safe'for men: and' boy's to use in the Department's 'service '! There is surely- 1 some analogy. The reason advanced by the Minister is, not likely to be regarded as'sufficient, and'more will probably be heard of the matter. '■ If : the line can be made of service to the* settler's witfhout loss or too great inconvenience to the Department, this should be done.

BOXING TARANAKI GARRISON CHAMPIOff- ■ SHIPS. Captain Lampen has circularised officers in command of the companies of Territorials (11th Regiment), the Queen Alexandra Mounted Rifles, senior cadets, post and telegraph and railway corps, regarding the holding of the Taranaki Garrison boxing championships at New Plymouth on the 27th and 28th in conjunction with the Taranaki Boxing Association's open championships. The programme is being arranged so that the competitors in the garrison events will also be able to take part in the open events. In a letter to Captain Lampen, Mr. L. B. Webster point 6 out that in order to encourage men to enter the association is not charging entrance fees. It is expected that there will be a good many of the defence force competing. Gold medals will be awarded the winner*. THE STRATFORD "PARLIAMENT."

,The Egmont Club's Parliamentary Union decided on Friday night in favor of the Prime Minister's measure, under which it was proposed to lease portions of the local domains for revenue purposes, the revenue to he divided equally between the domain hoard and the borough council. In the course of the debate the members of the board were alternately criticised and praised. The Ministry held \ofTiqe ,by a single vote, the Opposition whip .having by his indomitable ener.gy provided.a full "house." But some of the whipped-in members did not support the sjd6 which, was responsible for : their presence,. Not having a sufficient working majority, Mr. King then retired frbm' the leadership of the Government'.arid Mr. J. Staples was elected to (the. positiqn,',His Ministry will .be announced to ; daj; and his first measure will be the Old Ago .Pensions Bill. Mr. J.-. Masters acted as Speaker., and Mr. S? Ward as chairm'a.n of committee. It is understood' that .there is dissension in the rariks of the Opposition, and the party may have a new leader when Parliament resumes.

. " GENERAL NEWS ' The Borough Council recently decided to j-aise the wages of its workmen from Is to Is iy 2 d an hour. They earn all of it, 'and more, on days like Saturday. It was cold and miserably wet. The New. Plymouth Banks and Law team n wived hereby the afternoon train on •Saturday' to'meet a local team of like composition, But the Straf>v& boys had evidently forgotten all abu"t the mat- - ter, for no arrangements had been made for the'match,, and the Stratford men not ready. In the circumstances the New Plymouth men certainly were justified in grumbling. As one whose football ardor is a matter of the past, jthe pre?ent'writer marvels that any fifteen men ;wouM be frothing to take j the. field oh Saturday, with cold rain i falling thickly to the accompaniment of ; a strong wind. But enthusiasm that amounts'almost'to fanaticism or lunacy is necessary in winter : sports. The mafautl-rs who hare boon making women' afrai'd to' venture out at are getting bolder. One evening last week a local business man was stopped in one of the suburban streets and relieved of half-a-sovereign before he was allowed to move on. In the words of the music hall artist, "The police have the matter in hand." Descriptions of the men are vague. There were two —a tall man and a short one, but the victim is unable to depose as to the color of their eyes, conformation of their teeth, or otherwise. Meanwhile, he will probably carry a walking-stick at night. Some smart business man might open a I "shillelagh" department. BERNARD'S PICTURES

Picture patrons -will be glad to notice that Mmo. Bernard lias been successful in scouring the grand spectacular film "The Battle of Pottsburg" for the present season, and the picture will be shown for three nights. Sensations abound in this thrilling Civil War picture, and the theme of the story is refreshingly new. The girl was not only brave, but strikingly resourceful. She sets on fire a bridge, on which a tettfg

military engagement is taking place. There are no illusion-.!ry smoke effects in this conflagration, as the bridge is actually destroyed, and Ivnlcm was obliged to contract for its're-construction before the production was made. The fleeing soldiers dive into the water, and the battle is resumed. • There is scarcely need to again enumerate the splendid films which support the great battle series. A list is published in the advertisement on tliis page. The usual matinee will be held on Saturday afternoon.