Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 77, 17 August 1912, Page 3

Stratford News

From our Resident Reporter. SI2ATFOSD MUNICIPAL BAND. Our bandsmen held a bit of a "house warming" on Thursday for the new bandroom. The banquet was provided liv the bandsmen at their own expense, and was good in every way—a credit to the caterer, Mr. F. A Cramer, who is himself an enthusiastic .bandsman. The president, Mr. N. J. King, presided. The conductor, Mr. T. Marshall, in the | course of the evening, mentioned that it was intended later on to give a function at which ladies might be present, and he paid a very warm tribute to the good work done by the "other sex," in materially assisting the Stratford Band. Mr. F. Hedgeman proposed the toast of "The President," to which Mr. N. J. King responded. Mr. Child* proposed the toast of the "Borough Council." He was sorry that there were not more representatives of both the Borough Council and the Domain Board present that cevning, for the reason that they wished to show that the band was not wasting the funds subscribed by the public. The public, he said, had no idea of the amount of money it took to run a band. Mr. R. MeK. Morison, on behalf of the Borough Council, thanked those present for the honor done to the Councillors. Mr. Morison likened the members of the band to the members of the Council—both were volunteers. They were there because they liked it, but' neither got fiom the public always that amount of consideration which should be theirs. As a member of the Domain Board, he might say that it gave the Board much pleasure to give the necessary permission to have the building erected. He added that with the view to make the site more attractive he -would he verv pleased to donate ornamental shrube and trees.

Mr. D. Healy, another councillor, congratulated the Band Committee on providing a building of,, their own—« nice building, with plenty of space, and one which gave Evidence of faithful work on the part of th'e builders. Mr. Healv referred to the fact that in the past it had been found' necessary to go to Kaponga to get a brass 'band. This he classed as a reflection on Stratford, but from onwards he hoped that such institutions as the A. & P. Association, and the Racing Club would be able to employ the' Stratford band. He assured those presfent that the sympathies of the Council were with the band. If the members stuck to the Band and worked it up well, they would find the Council onlv too willing to give them a helping hand. Mr. M. C. Aagaard proposed the toast of the "Domain Board." "1 am quite sure," he said, "that the Domain Board is like the Band—worthy of a lot more support than they got." Mr. R. McK. Morison, in reply, said that he believed the Domain Board was doing ite best to conserve benefits for future generations. They were'doing a little—but they had little money with which to do it. He believed that the Domain Board had more difficulties with which to contend than other public bodies, for' the reason that they had no means of levying or collecting a rate. In looking through the bit of reserves owned by other towns, he had come to the conclusion that Stratford was more fortunate in this respect than its neighbors.. But, though the Stratford Board hfcd plenty of land, it had but little money. He hoped the dav was not far distent when the Board would be in the happy position of being able to appoint a permanent caretaker. By the caretaker's judicious management the Board could raise plants for "its own use, and so save money. ■ Referring to the original laying-out of the town of Stratford, Mr. Morison said he considered the work had not been done as well as it might have been. Stratford would have been much improved if the land upon which the band-room 6tood had been reserved right up to Broadway, and on the other Bide of the stream as well.

Mr. p. Cramer proposed the toast of the "Stratford Municipal. Band." He *poke, in reminiscent vein, of the bands of Stratford war bank in the old days. He hoped some day to eee, not one, but two, brass bands in Stratford. Mr. T. Marshall, the bandmaster, responded. He mentioned the fact that had it not been for the foresight of Messrs. Childs and Burmester, the building -would not have been built so soon. A* a matter of fact, the Band's committee did not raise sufficient fund* to build the building. A large portion of the money had been held" in trust for many years by the gentlemen namedThe members had then wanted to use the money to go to the "contest," but Messrs. Burmester and Childs had stuck to it that the money was subscribed by the public for the specific purpose of building the band-room; and now thev had it.

Other toasts honored were those of the "Contractors," responded to bv Messrs. Beckett and King; the "Caterer," responded -to by Mr. F. Cramer; the "Ladies," the "Press," and the "Chairman."

A musical programme, interspersed with humorous recitations, enlivened ihe even the evening.

STRAY PARAGRAPHS. Sitting in his civil jurisdiction at the Magistrate's Court yii-tcrdav moiling, Mr. W. 0. W. Kenriek. S.M./gave judgment for plaintiff by default in the following cases: Thos. .Jordan v. Heivv Jakes cl.ijm l,i« (id. costs ss; Xatij.inl Hank of New Zenhr.a v. M. Preb:>lp. claim .Ul," Us. and co.ts £1 ]0« Oil: same v. if. A. Prebr. e. ciaim .Co Ss 5.|. and costs €1 ">s (id. Tn the defended ease, A. K. Taylor (Mr. Stanford) v. .John Miller (Mr. Fookes), a settlement was arrived at.

On Thursday afternoon the Stratford Fire Brigade ran oil'several competitions, 'he results of which were as follows: llallcnstein Bros.' Tropliy: Fireman .]. Crosslin (lOsec.) lniin. 17 1-loscc, 1; Hyilrnntniiin Drake (*cr.). lniin. 17 2-5 s(-e., 2; Foreman Tiunress (Isee.), Imin. Irt 3-">scc.. 3. Burgess ('up: Foreman Wlson. lniin. 7sec. 1: Brancliman Boon, lniin. 11 l-.>see., 2; Hvdrantman Drake, lmin. 12 -l-oscc, :i. Bishara Cup: Foreman Cro-san ("Klscc.l. :!Ssee.. I ; Foreman Wilson (scr.). 43 l-.isec. 2; Branchman Evans (2-ec). 445.-c, 3. The reCirn euchre match lietween the, Ffrmont dub and Druidv Lod<ji' took place in the club's rooms on Thursday evening, when the club ajrain proved victorious. The following are the scores, the Club lieintr mentioned first:--.]. Mas<<ts and \\. J. Reeve 5. v. McMillan and Huss -I: .1. Butcher and S. Ward 7, v. R. HaiKlley and C. Ru<rh 10; S. Thompson and (i. \j. Mills 5." v. .1. Sliarrock and J'.. Lane 4: 11. Wilson and .!. Mc.Malion 0, v. Murray and Burmesler 7; ('. Speck and 'J'. Bowditch 5, v. 0. Lirtdinjjlon and F. Simmons S; A. W'no llnad and C. J). Sole !), v. Lee and W. McFlvay 4; T. D. Colson and F. Arden 11. v. Biiichart and A. Speck 3; T. D. Sullivan and T. Lawson 11, v. S. Clark and Jones 4; 11. Masters and R. Boon !>, v. ITedpeman and Ralione S: J. Brake find .]. llarston (i. v. East and Johnston ti. Totals: Club 70, Druids r,S. BERNARD'S PICTURES. The current series of pictures at His Majesty's Theatre is a pari icularly fine collection, embracing scenic, dramatic,

comic and educative subjects. Much interest is being displayed in the wonderful JLlni descriptive of the otter and its haunts. Monday's change, of programme will include two feature films, "The CliffDwellers" and "The Brotherhood of Man."