Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 116, 2 October 1912, Page 3

Stratford News

From our resident reporter.

DISEASED STOCK PADDOCK

A FURTHER REPORT.

At yesterday's meeting of the Hospital Board, a letter was read from Dr. Cliesson as follows, in reference to the complaint that the paddock used by the Stock Department for holding diseased stock was too close to dwellings in the j borough: "If this paddock is used simply for stock which are not in an infectious state, and this conclusion has been arrived at after careful examination by a qualified veterinary surgeon, then, of course. 110 harm could arise from the placing therein of such stock. But if, however, on the other hand, it is used for stock in an infective state, or in a state in which there is any doubt as to the infectivity, then I am of opimion that it should be situated further from human habitation, as there would undoubtedly be a risk of infection spreading, cither directly or indirectly, through stock in the possession' of j neighboring inhabitants."

Mr. Ward said the matter was One that should receive further attention. A ratepayer had complained recently to the Borough Council that a beast with a cancerous growth had been left in the paddock for several days. It had been stated that the paddock was doublefenced, to prevent stock confined there i from touching hcalthv stock on the [ road Or in adjoining paddocks. But the gateway was unprotected. It was further stated 'that the stock was not examined by a qualified veterinary surgeon, but only by a stock inspector, to decide as to its infectivity or otherwise. The chairman said he understood that nowadays all condemned stock was being destroyed on the farms. Evidently the officers of the department were becoming very cautious. He was not inclined to. agree with Mr. Dingle that healthy stock was liable to infection from the cattleitrucks,.for lie believed the Department took proper precautions to cleanse the trucks. Mr. Ward: What about the yard? 'Mr. ChristolTel: Yes, what about the i yards? Are they cleansed? \ The chairman said the yards were certainly not cleansed. I

Major Young's report on the matter will be awaited.

STRATFORD HOSPITAL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. At the regular meeting of the Stratford Hospital Board yesterday there were present: Messrs. E. Marfell (chairman). S. Ward, J. McAllister, A. Meredith, W. Rogers, J. Christoffel, E. Hine and J. Smith. THE WHANGAMOMONA PROBLEM.

Mr. James McCluggage wrote, acknowledging the Board's letter in reference to the appointment of a nurse for Whangamomona. l't must he gratifying to the settlers in that district to know that there was now a definite scheme. He had forwarded the Board's letter to Mr. A. Klee. the secretary of the movement at Whangamomona. ■Mr. Meredith, member representing the Whangamomona district, said he understood that a medical association was being formed and registered at Whangamomona, for the purpose of securing a doctor, and that a doctor was prepared to come when the registration was effected. Whilst very grateful for the Board's action, and the prospect of the appointment of a nurse, the settlers now asked that further action be deferred, pending the completion, of the negotiations. RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT.

The Board, at 'is last meeting, decided to enter into, a reciprocal agreement with the Otago Board in reference to payment of fees by patients from each other's district. In the same letter the Otago Board wrote that a child had been admitted to the hospital there, whose parents recently came from Whangamomona, and were unable to pay. The agreement having been arrived at, no charge would be made upon the Stratford Board. Members expressed their satisfaction, but one took occasion to remark that with co-operative laborers constantly arriving in the district the Board was likely to find the new scheme awkward at times. REPORTS.

The matron, Miss O'Brien, reported that Nurse Brake had resumed duty and Nurse Baxter had taken up probationer's duty. The lighting and heating in the isolation ward seemed to be working satisfactorily, but the window and other in the fumigating room were not airtight. The sanitary inspector reported that no infectious diseases were notified in the district during the month. The old condemned wharc in Orlando street. Stratford, had been pulled down. The public stables in Strati ord, and the fruiterers', butchers' and fish shops, bakehouses and marts had been inspected. At two fruit shops fruit had been condemned. Bread purchased from bakers had been found to be full weight. At Toko the recommendations of the inspector had been carried and nuisances abated.

Mr. Ward moved the adoption of the Visiting Committee's report, setting out that the garden and grounds were in excellent order, reflecting great credit on Messrs. Officer and Milner. Some fresh turfing was needed, and part of the lawn needed re-sowing, etc. The committee had visited the isolation ward in com--any with the medical superintendent and the million, and recommended that a drain be pr»'d and filled in. and further drains laid. The attention of Mr, Healy should be directed to the need for scoria round outside doors, and that the window in the fumigating chamber was not air-tight. Fences around the ground had all been seen to. The chairman was empowered to fill a vacancy on the nursing staff caused by the resignation of Nurse McLean. It was decided to advertise for tenders for furnishing the isolation ward.

HOME MISSION ADDRESS ; The Rev. J. W. Burton, of New Plymouth. addressed a mooting at Wesley Church 011 Monday night 011 the home mission work of the Methodist Church in New Zealand. Mr. J. Laurenson presided. The choir mustered in good force, and its members rendered anthems, a quartette and solos. The Rev. Mr. Burton, in opening, said that there was a tendency for people to look beyond the work that lay at their doors, and to wish to carry the gospel, say. to the millions in China, forgetting the Celestial who delivers the daily vegetables. A recent visitor had said that although there were awful depths of heathen misery in Nigeria they could not be compared with those of the slums of England. There was need for people to try and attend to matters near home. There was just as much good work to be done among the Maoris as among the other brown races in Polynesia. Within a few miles of Parihaka wore churches, yet the Christian gospel was not preached there. The Mormons and the Roman Catholics were making headway because tliey were putting life and money into it. But the

Protestant churches were not doing- all that was needed to be done. Again, there was need for help from established circuits to struggling circuits. There

I was need also for more attention to the people in the baekbloeks. He had recently spent a fortnight in the 'baekbloeks of North Taranaki, and liad become convinced of the necessity for more men and the ,best men. The baekbloeks needed the very best men, for there were intelligent men there, men with time to think iand to read, men who needed to be met by men of brain equal to their own. So it was a mistake to send poor men into the- back' country. Then the speaker went on to relate several incidents, many of them humorous, of his home mission work at Paeroa j some sixteen years ago. The first time that lie "sprinkled kids," as the- father described the christening of his flock of five; his,first-wedding at a mining camp, where the bridegroom finished' his dinner and put. on his coat, the bride-elect stripped off her apron in the cookhouse, and were mated; his first meeting at the,. Golden Cross mining centre; were all distinctly original, and caused rip-' pies of merriment. The work of the goldfields prospered, and from there he was dumped down in stagnant Malvern, in Canterbury, and even from two years' service in a- depressing circuit he drew some quaint stories. In those days, out of a supposed £IOO a year, he got £OS or £7O, and he had to pay £4O a year in university fees. Sometimes, when he visited Christchureh, he had not had money to pay for a meal. Ko one knew that at the time, and he quoted -an in- ' cident to show that many peopie had heavy troubles without others knowing it. He spoke eulogistically of the good work done by the home mission workers, and said that whilst it was good and right for them to pray for 1 the. peopl'e in the home mission districts, some prac-' tical assistance was necessary, for which he now appealed. The Rev. B. Metson, in .'conveying a vote of thanks to the speaker, said that when the union -of the Methodist churches was consummated there would be a great development of home mission ' work. As Christian • men and women they should go where- the need was greatest, • and there was as great need here as in those other lands of which we spoke 30 .glibly and to- which they were not anxious to go. 'Mr. J. McAllister, in seconding, also •thanked the Rev. Burton for the.help-, 1 ful sermons on Sunday.

STRATFORD GOLF CLUB

The September bogey competition was won, by Mrs. Y. Crawshaw. The best cards were:— V. Crawshaw (8), I down.. . S. -Spence (0), 5 down. L. Curtis (22), 0 down. C. H. Wright (8), 7 down. F. Dunlop (20), 7 down. The ladies competition was won by Mrs. Budge, the four best cards being: Mrs. Budge (16), 3 down. Miss Fussell (6), 4 down. Miss F. Orbell (0), 6 down. Miss Wake (G), 9 down.

Miss Orbell and P. Wright won the mixed foursomes, the six best cards handed in being— Miss Orbell and P. Wright... 84 4 80 Miss Fussell and-G. Wright.. 86 4 8g Miss O'Brien and C. Wright.. 93 4 -80 Miss F. Orbell and V. Craw-

sha,(r 90 0 90 Mrs. Robinson and S. Spence 103 4 99 Miss F. Wake and F. N. Fussell 110 4 106

The links will be formally closed on Thursday, when mixed foursomes will be played. Partners and opponents will be drawn for. Entries close on Thursday morning at 10.30.

MARKET REPORTS,

N.Z.J, & M.A. CO.'S REPORT.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Stratford branch, report as followsOn Friday last we held at our Stratford yards a dispersal sale of dairy cows and heifers, on account of Mr. M. T. Phillips, who lias given up dairying. Although the weather was very wet, there was a large attendance of buyers from Hawera and Elthajn, as well as a good many local men, and competition was good, resulting in everything being sold. A good many of the cows proved to be more, or less defective, which reduced prices somewhat, but the. average of the line, £9 10s, was very good, considering that a good few of, the cows showed considerable age.

STRAY PARAGRAPHS

The Rev. Burton said on Monday night that he was generally considered to be a disturbing element. , However that might be, he said he had noticed that his visits to places were-often marked or followed by natural disturbances. He gave instances. When he went to 'Fiji the islands were swept by a terrific hurricane. He went to India, and the natives commenced throwing bombs at Government officials. Then he came to New Zealand. During one of his first meetings in New ■ Plymouth there was an earthquake. Visiting Hawera, they experienced the worst earthquake in the memory of tliq oldest inhabitant. Now he had come to Stratford, and there was another natural disturbance—a fine day. At which his hearers laughed, for the sarcasm was deserved.

Curiosity was aroused oh Monday by a visit to Stratford of Mr. C. Carter, formerly chairman of the Taranaki Petroleum Company, and now one of the New Zealand directors of the Oilfields. Ltd., in company with Mr. L. Keith, manager of the company. Have they discovered more oil round here?

A ffttnjly away at out at Koburatahi receives ,1-Os a week in charitable aid from the Stratford Board. Out there kerosene costs 7s" 6<l a tin. cheese Is 3d per 11), butter Is 4d per lb, bread 9d a loaf. Half a sovereign does not go very far out there. The Mayor lias convened a meeting of Stratford ladies to discuss Mrs. Godley's proposed-"Cadet Prize Fund." The meeting will be held on Thursday evening at the Municipal Chambers. Stratford had twenty-eight wet days, or clays on which rain fell, in September. Hut for the official figures' this statement would be open to doubt. The rainfall totalled nearly 12% inches. A carpenter named Henry, employed by Mr. X. J. King, was injured on Monday whilst working on Mr. H. Burmester's house in Regan street. A chisel entered his wrist and severed an artery. He was attended to by Dr. Steven.

BERNARD'S PICTURES

Xo need to write up the great programme that is to be repeated at His Majesty's Theatre to-night. See it You'll be more than satisfied.