Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 102, 16 September 1912, Page 3

Stratford News

From mir resident reporter. STJ2A'iva:-.D SHOW MI-'KTIXd o;- A. AX! i I'. (,'KXFP-U t.O.M.Mrj.'TKK. " " /■.'!•!■_ ill'er-'sl ,m ~;„• i.j. . u , mill ;ri ■:"" w ,s ""< '<'■ «■*■>!. 'I").-!,',,,,-Dt'V- Ol lII,' ;r|.,!|.l-.li L ..•JllJl.i I '(■.. ]),' Vl 'iw «.j«<'»Hy,;v!iii-: .;.,.. , :X! , i1 ..-i., ,„„„, im , (> is called together at least weeklv. Meanwhile, iho sub-committees are doing their special work. Tito discussions at. Hie ucncral committer meetings lliv '"'l and ''fee. bill it is alwavs noticeable that .the members ar- prepared | ;o <'„]< individual loibles in the iuirresu of Ui,; -Woc'ilion a, a whole, th.mgh not without 11 Sniggle. The meeting o vor. and a course ~f action decided 011. there is no soreness, but all pull together like men; hence success. There'is no fear of a split in the ranks of the Association m> long ;l * members are given liberty of speech. The president is a man of great tact, and lie handles his team wed, so much so (hat some believe they 'are handling them. In the words of the ■ comedienne \n some comic opera or other, '-That's tact." On Saturday, Mr. J. B. Richards, who is not the silent member of the general committee, asked the president if it were' possible to re-open the question of the site for the people's grandstand. The president was willing, but only conditionally., and the condition imposed was tliat in consideration of his acceding to. Mr. : Richards' manifest do-ire. that gentle-' mail should consent to become "a Jife j member of the Association, paying £lO I to the building fund. It was a " sporting | chaiice," and Mr. Richards' acceptance of the challenge was applauded. Mr. Kirkwood (president.) explained that whilst he had agreed to allow the matter to lie brought forward again, a review of the business was possible that day only by the unanimous consent of the meeting. The president said that neither he nor any other members'of the executive wished to fly in the face of the opposition of the general committee, although they held 'strong opinions 111 respect of the choice of the site. If the matter was to be settled by the general committee, lie suggested' that they should meet on the ground and settle it there. Such a course would ensure that no one would be able to sav in future that he had not had a say in fixing the site. He moved that the matter lie re-onened., j From the" outset it appeared that.unanimity was impossible, ilr. Tom Webb ! paying that those who had been beaten j should take their beating and abide by I last Saturday's decision, just as he often had to do. Mr. Richards addressed the meeting. He wanted all the members present, he said, and all the members of the Association, io understand that he was not casting any aspersions on the executive, nor did he think that that committee had in any degree fallen short in the execution of their duties. His regard I for 1 lie exoculive was second to none ■ in the Association. He was opposing their choice of a site because he had the interests of the Association at heart. He was so impressed with the humidity I of the Taranaki climate as to make the weather the first consideration in selectting this site. He recognised that there j were strong arguments in favor of the i one selected, but these were outweighed I by the fact that a stand on that site would face the northerly rains. Mr. Dingle noted that the executive, had passed a resolution that it alone should select that site. He was willing 1 to rescind that. I Mr. J. D. llealy hoped that no little technicality of this sort would he alj lowed to prevent the general committee J deciding the question of site. Mr. Campbell Jackson said he had noticed on Thursday that the north-west rain beat even into the present stand. This convinced him that n stand with a northerly aspect would be unsuitable. Mr. Budd said that it was ridiculous I for the Association to go ahead in spite I of the lessons of experience. A northerly aspect would be ridiculous. Mr. Dobson favored re-opening the question. Mr. Webb again stated that he would* vote against the motion, and said that settled the matter. The president, whilst strongly of opinion that the selected southern site was the best, recognised that further consideration would be in the best interests of he Association as a whole, and asked Mr. Webb to withdraw his opposition. fMr. Webb: No. ' ■' . Mr. Johnson made a remark about "pig-headedness." and Mr. Webb retorted that Air. Jackson would change his opinion with every change of wind, remarking that last week Mr. Jackson was indignant because the executive's decision was questioned. Mr. AVebb offered to resign, in order to facilitate matters. (Cries of ''No.") Mr. Richards spoke appreciatively of the broad-mindedness of those members who were favorable to re-opening the question, whilst supporting the executive's choice. He regretted that Mr. Webb's opposition would force him to give notice of motion to effect his purpose, for he would thus be compelled to unwillingly delay the work of the executive. He was proceeding to give notice of motion, when Mr. Webb, to save time, waived his objection. "(Applause.) Accordingly, the general committee will meet on the grounds next Saturday at one o'clock to select a site, and members are. asked to view the ground before one o'clock. Messrs. C. Bayly and Jas. Gookin were elected life members. The number of life members was limited to fifty. The rules of the Association are to be revised by the executive, for adoption at next annual meeting. -Mr. W. Bailey (Eltham) was added to the general committee. The reiciumcndation of the executive to allot a luncheon ticket to each subscriber of a guinea to the prize fund, and two tickets for two guineas, was adopted. The plans of the people's grandstand, as submitted by the executive, were adopted, qnd alternate tenders will bo called for the building, as sketched, and for one with a stud two feet higher. The president explained that the plan had been made so that whilst the roof gave every protection from the weather it would not obstruct the view of the people in the top seats. Several members were of opinion that the executive should, if necessary, exceed the limit of £450, on the principle that it would be "a pity to spoil the ship for a ha'porlh of tar." A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Athol Meredith for his generous gift of 2000 feet of timber for the new stand. PERSONAL Mr. and Mrs. H. N. Liardet, formerly of Stratford, celebrated their silver wedding on Saturday, and were the recipients of sheaves of congratulations. Mr. Tom Bain, manager of the Canterbury team, is still in Nurse Stronach's private hospital, but should be able to travel in a few days. BERNARD'S PICTURES In the present great change, at His Majesty's Theatre pride of place must be given to the latest American Biograpli drama, '"'A Beast at Bay." in which that popular actress (Miss Mary Piokford) figures to advanatge. The picture is full of sensational incidents,

involving an exciiing race between a motor-car ami a railway UnoDioti'vc. and .1 plucky capture of ;in escaped convict. "The Telephone Oiil" is lirin-.i'ul of excitement and sr:i~,alb>:i. A lire occurs in a large manufactory, ami while the others flee the telephone girl stick* to | her post until she has notified all the i various floors of the outbreak.' She is overcome by fume-, but j,s heroically rescued by a fireman—her. lover, by the way—from the burning building. Variety is lent to the .programme by the screening'of an intensely realistic film, 'The Paris Motor Bandits," which fairly bristles with sensations. The scenic side is well represented in "Famous Rivers," figuring the most picturesque spots on the principal rivers in England and the i continent, while the Pathe Gazette contains happenings of world-wide note, in all parts of the globe, and views of our Royal Family. The comics- are good