Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 94, 6 September 1912, Page 3

Stratford News

From our Resident Reporter. OIL IN THE STEATFORD DISTRICT. COMPANY* OF £40,0(10 REGISTERED. PROSPECTS ARE EXCELLENT. A few weeks ago it was announced tluit within a short time a new industry would be started in Stratford. No little curiosity was aroused. News has now been received that this district is to be made the centre of boring operations by the Consolidated Oilfields of Taranaki. Ltd., a company which has just been registered in Ciiris'tchureh with a capital of £40,000. The company will probably offer a portion, but not a large proportion, of the shares for subscription by the public. Whilst the situation of the first bore lias not yet been fixed, it is probable that the derrick will be erected in the vicinity of Toko. The company has decided to import the very latest rotary plant, with a view of quickly and thoroughly testing the actual producing capacity of the field, which has been reported on by Mr.' R. Speight, M.Sc.. Professor of Geology i at Canterbury College, and a member of the Australian Institute of Mining Engineers. I have been allowed to peruse this highly-qualified gentleman's report on the iield, and can state that it is of a highly gratifying nature. The report, it should be stated, was obtained at the instance of the members of the present, j company before it was registered, and it j was on that report that they decided to j launch their capital in this venture. ' The territory over which the '''Consolidated Oilfields of Taranaki" has rights includes a very large area lying around the Toko district and to the northward. At this stage no further details can be published. HOSPITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS. To the Editor. Sir,—Tn to-day issue of the Daily News you mention the generosity of the proprietress of the Picture " Theatre at Stratford in the matter of benefit performances. I sincerely hope, Sir, that there is, not going to be another appeal to Mme. Bernard. But if the people of Stratford, or the Hospital Board, think that the public should contribute a little more to the hospial—and so they should do—then the Board, or the public had better get something up—a ball, or a fancy dress football match, or a Hospital Saturday, or something of that kind, and not take away this good lady's earnings. Perhaps if the Board called a meiting of ladies we could run a bazaar. There is no doubt that Mme. Bernard would do the same sort of thing again, but why should we depend on 'the willing horse"?— 1 am, etc., VOLUNTARY. STRAY PARAGRAPHS Down Whanga. way the advent of the railway and the presence of the , cheese factory is making a demand for ', land, and the farm adjoining the factory | changed hands the otlier day at £ls pe'f acre. The owner of the adjoining farm has refused £l4 an acre. Mumps still claim their numerous victims in Stratford. There was a big crowd to see the cyclists go through yesterday. The first man looked as" lit'as a fiddle. The crowd encroached on the road, and even our chain-and-a-half thoroughfare was too narrow to accommodate the people. Never mind, we can widen the street, or make more room by charging admission. The appointment by the central committee of more committeemen or supervisors at Stratford would be appreciated by the competitors, who deserve all they get. "The Dandies" gave a fine entertainment here on Wednesday night. There wasn't a dull moment or a second-class item. The people of New Plymouth have much to blame that delayed steamer for. BERNARD'S PICTURES. A change of programme was submitted at Bernard's Picture Theatre last night, and with it was ushered in the, Irish patriotic film. "Shamus O'Brien." This latest release has eclipsed all ,reeords ff.r popularity, and undoubtedly this is in a large measure due to the superb acting, and the excellent scenic effects. Combined with this, is the exciting and enthralling nature of the drama itself, which culminates in the gallows scene, where, aided and abetted by the lovable parish priest and the "boys." Shamus makes his e-cape. and after' an exciting gallop across coiiniry, boards a barque in company with a little band of dear friends for America. ''The Land of the Free!" ]lis dramatic arrest, earlier in the story, at (lie dance in the barn, and later on the trial scene, also lend themselves to powerful dramatic interpretation. A powerful and thrilling drama was alro screened in the shape of "A Mexican Courtship." A lass, who. by the way. has a secret lover (a Mexican), is forced by her parents to bestow her attentions on a famous bull fighter who has lately arrived in the village. In spite of the girl's protestations'she has eventually to yield to this unwelcome request, much against her wish, and at the hull-fight.-r"s invitation proceeds to ' the arena, accompanied by her parents, to witness his boasted prove?*. The matador is intoxicated, and her Mexican lover vomit eers to fill his place. He enters the ring, and his skilful handling of the wild beasts as they make towards him proves him to be an expert in his assumed profession. The girl's parents are so delighted with the courageous young Mexican that they be<tow'their daughter's hand upon him. Other films include "The Military Air Scouts" (a sensational drama in which aeroplanes play an important part), an instructive film dealing with the "Life of the Honey Bee," and a brace of well-staged comics.