Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 126, 15 October 1912, Page 3

Stratford News

ifrom uuv Resident Reporter. | THE INLAND RAIL I TIME-TABLE UNSUITABLE. Some of the settlers out east are dissatisfied with the railway time-table from Te Wera onwards, and Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P., wrote on their behalf to the -Minister of Railways (Hon. Mr. Hemes), who has replied as follows—- / "With reference to your letter ofc the sth hist., in regard to the time-table arranged in connection with the opening of the extension to Pohokura, I have the honor to inform you that enquiries have been made in the matter, and it is ascertained that the existing time-table is the most suitable for the majority of the users of the trains. If the 10.20 a.m. train from Stratford ran forward to Pohokura it would not return in time to connect at Stratford with the afternoon mixed trains for Wanganui and New Plymouth. Further, the passengers by the morning train on Tuesdays, and Saturdays from Pohokura, would have only from 8.25 a.m. to 10.20 a.m. in Stratford to do business if they wanted to return home the same day. In the circumstances I am of opinion that the existing arrangements should be given a fair trial and stand until the extension to Whangamomona is opened." . Here is an opportunity for the Stratford Chamber of Commerce to adopt the "follow-up" series of letfars on railway matters. The little puffing-billy that noisily but slowly plods along in front j of the "Toko" train—we still call it the I Toko train, although tte Toko run is but an incident of the trip—covers the 23 miles between Te Wera and Stratford in one hour and three-quarters. I write it in full to impress the fact on the minds of railways officers and people generally. Anyone with a knowledge of arithmetic can ascertain, without much study, that the train thus travels at the rate of about 4y 2 miles an hour. Ye gods! Of course, one has to remember that there are several stopping-places en route, and that there is shunting to be done, the guard being stationmaster, porter, and a hundred and one others officials rolled into one. But 4y 2 miles an hour! It is the pace that kills, but the pace aeed not necessarily be fast to kill. It's a wonder that the Railway Department is not absolutely ashamed of such a service. The Stratford Chamber of Commerce is agitating for a better service. These facts should help them. When the Department puts on an engine that can beat a good walker it should not be difficult to improve the time-table as the eettlers desire.

cobojkiu,«*u

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., Stratford, report: On Friday, the 4th inst., we held our I usual monthly sale in our Te Wera . yards, when there was a fair yarding, mostly of young cattle. Most of the \ cattle were disposed of at full market j values. Prices as follows: Yearling Jer- [ Rev heifers from 65s to 665, and up to [oos for a nice line of colored cattle. ! Yearling hulls, 42s to 52s .Gd; 2-year empty heifers, Shorthorn sorts, 75s to 86s 6d; 2-year steers, up to 85s for small lines; springing heifers, 117s 6d to 130sheifers calved, 125s to 1525; forward heifers, 87s M; dairy cows, up to 145s On Tuesday, the Bth inst., we held our usual fortnightly combined sale in our Stratford yards, when there was a large yarding of 558 cattle, also 60 dairy stock. A very large proportion were disposed of at the hammer, and afterwards at satisfactory prices, although the demand did not seem so keen as at former sales. A large number of the roung cattle showed quality, and at-1 tracted a good deal of attention. Yearling steers, small and in low condition, made from 50s to 565; yearling steers of good quality revised up to 67s fid; heifers, mostly Shorthorns, 65s to 70s for small and colored cattle. There seemed ; to he a keen enquiry for well-grown ' Shorthorns at 70s to 77s fid. There were several pens of well-grown Jersey-Hol-stein heifers offered, and -were passed in at .up to 100s; 2-year empty heifers are in demand, hut are scarce, and arc bringing flOs to 105s; 2-year steers, 85s to 965; store cows in demand at from : 2Ss for .small and poor conditioned cows up to 85s for medium quality; forward cows. S2s to 120s for cattle showing condition. In the dairy yards we offered 60 cows and heifers, all of which were disposed of at good prices. Springing heifers realised from 105s to 160s for good Shorthorn quality heifers; dairy cows in poor condition and backward made from 80s to 120s, but anything showing quality made from 150s to 1655.

CORRESPONDENCE IX THE LAND OF DOODLE-DOO. To the Editor. Sir and Brethren—l shall now proceed with the narrative of the betrayal of Joseph. It came to pass that Joseph summoned his councillors and wise men at Awarua and they all appeared, and one by one fell on his neck and swore eternal constancy, and Joseph was pleased and thought much of them; but, lo! there were some of the tribe of Judas, and they forthwith departed for the stronghold of Billwilliam, and history says Judas Beeritis was not with them, but Beeritis must have a tablet to himself later on. Billwilliam took the traitors by both hands and said, "Of such men are my councillors made." Then they consumed wine from a cup I made from a sheep's head, and departed. Then Billwiiiiivm blew a blast on his rani's horn, :>nd the sound reached to the end of the kingdom, so that his wise men left their flocks, both large and small, and journeyed in noiseless chariots into J the city. Then the patriarch spoke and said: "I have sounded the depths of our enemies and I find some of the Judas tribe willing to serve us." Then was Joseph's end foretold. Now Billwilliam was in sore trouble as to his officers. There were two who were a thorn in his side—one Piscatorus Voucherous and the other Hinus Mudrakius, who demanded a share, in the Government. Piscatorus got the command of the sea and Hinus vainly tried for the. position of officer of noxious smells; but Billwilliam said. "Your mud rake is too strong and yo* delved too deep and the smell clings to you; go, purify yourself for many moons, then eome again to me." So Hinus .hung his mud rake on a willow tree and sat by the waters of Toko and wept, and Piscatorus Voucherous reigned in his stead.—l am. etc., JUST AN ISHMAELITfi.

STRAY PARAGRAPHS On Saturday night a special meeting of Lodge Stratford, N.Z.C., was held to receive a visit from the Most Worshipful Grand Master of New Zealand (Mr. Maurice Thompson) and the Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Wellington district (Mr. T. A. Peterkin). The electric motor is "catching on." By the end of the present week the Electrical Supply Company will be supplying 50 h.p. for power purposes, and this load will be greatly increased before long. On Wednesday week the Midhirst Gun Club will hold a big "shoot" on the range on Mr. A. Kichmond'a property.

Tie iStratiord Municipal Brass Band gave an open-air concert in Broadway on Saturday evening. Bandmaster Marshall is certainly to be congratulated inpon the progress made of late. The band was well tuned, and the instrumentalists showed a good conception of the selections played, whilst the combination was also good. The night was cold; otherwise a bigger crowd would have enjoyed the music. A drunk was mulcted in the usual fine with 2s cab hire added, at the Police Court yesterday. A cyclist performed a smart feat on Victoria bridge yesterday morning. He. ha! to, for a couple of milk carts were racing along as if the next month's milk cheque depended on reaching the bridge in a given time. One expects to see milk cart races in the country but in the borough ?—Oh, no. Cne annual meeting of the Stratford Cricket Club is to be held shortly. Within a few days of advertising a farm property for sale in the Taranaki Daily News, an Inglewood agent received enquiries from Waitara, Warea,-Taihape, Christchurch and other places. The News js the paper to get results from. Three upstairs rooms in Broadway are advertised to let. The Stratford Hospital Board invites tenders for furnishing and equipment of the new isolation ward.

BERNARD'S PICTURES "The Corsican Brothers" seemed to be the most popular film at His Majesty's Theatre last night. Jt is a drama containing features that are new. The photography and the acting are splen- [ did, the duelling scenes being particu- ! larly effective and exciting, and the j actors therein evidently masters of | sword play. '•The Stolen Invention" is another fine drama,- whilst "The Forgotten Clue" and "The Stolen Claim" rivet the attention froin first to last. "Spring in San Reno" is a scenic film that lovers of. nature's beauties should not fail to see, whilst one of the most interesting industrial films screened here for some time takes the spectator into the busy tea-preparing rooms of the tropics. Most of us hive a very vague idea of the production of staple articles of food, but this film will, so to speak, lift the veil in regard to tea, the national beverage. No picture programme is complete without full attention to the ihumorous, and the man %vho fails to laugh at "The | Laugh on Dad" or "Everybody's Trou- | bles" lias particularly obstinate risible faculties. This programme will be re- j peated to-night and to-morrow night.