Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 156, 19 November 1912, Page 3

Stratford News

rn.ii. Out- Kes'.dent Uepurur. DAYLIGHT SAVING. PETITIONS GALORE! Just say "petition" iii Stratford just dow and you raise a smile. The position is clear as mud.

First, two business men took two petitions round the shops, but showed only one—unless the second was speciallyasked for. The first was for seven o'clock opening and five o'clock closing of shops. This was pushed. The second, wliich was not pushed, favoured 7.30 a.m. to, 5,30 p.nii Many seized the first because they believed iu the daylightsaving principle, although not in accord with'the details of the scheme submit-, ted. When they found that the second authorised petition icould have (been signed they waxed wrath, and readily signed a counter petition, opposing that which had already been so generally signed. Then fully twenty people signed a further petition asking to have their names erased from the original requisition. The position yesterday morning then, was that the petition presented to the Council for daylight 'saving was to all intents and purposes futile. It was a case of "As you were!" So another petition was set adrift, suggesting that the shop hours be altered to from 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. in summer and 3 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. in winter, with Thursday half-holiday from 12.30 p.m. in summer and 1 o'clock in winter; Saturday closing at 9 p.m. Forty-three signatures were obtained, and others promised to sign if the original petition were thrown out. This last petition reduces the shop hours, which is generous on the part of employers and gleefully accepted, hy the The present indications are that the 7.30 to 5.30 and 8 to 5.30 scheme will be adopted. The grocers, not wishing to be laughed at; set out on a little daylight-saving scheme of their own, and have unanimously signed a petition to the Minister of Labor asking that in the months from April to October inclusive shops be open from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., with one o'clock closing on Thursdays, and 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. in the remaining months, with 12.30 closing on Thursdays.

STRATFORD A. & P. SHOW. Everything is now in splendid order for the Stratford Show on Wednesday and Thursday. 27th and 2Sth Xovember. The new people's grandstand will be out of the builders' hands in the course of a day or two. This structure . has been very favourably commented on for its architectural design and commodious seating capacity. The show grounds are in fine condition and all that is required to nrike the Show an unqualified success iri a record entry list and fine weather. Kntri.es continue to come in generously from exhibitors in the district and also from otitside districts. The Association's ■-rcrfitary will be installed in a tent on tiie Hawcra show grounds on both days for Hie purpose of taking entries for the Stratford .Show. As the entry list closes on Thursday next, intending exhibitors who have not yet made their entries would he acting wisely to make their entries forthwith, thus obviating any chance of being left out, while at the same time exhibitors will be assisting the secretary very materially by reason of preventing the usual last moment rush of entries.

STRAY PARAGRAPHS. Mr. T. 0. Grubbi has purchased Mr. Harry Master's stationery and fancy goods business, and will run it in addition to his music and piano business. Here's luck! Mr. John Watson has retired from the fvm of Messrs. Watson and Co., and Mr. Archie Rawles will sail the ship himself. He has our best wishes and those of scores of friends. Mr. 0. W. Mills leaves to-day on a business trip to Auckland. BERNARD'S PICTURES.

"The Ship of Lions" is the star drama I on the present programme, and those who saw the film last night are loud in its' praisn. The story is wildly exciting, and the photography capital. (Miss Jcanetto, a lady lion tamer, whose fame has spread to foreign countries, is approached In- a speculator, who induces her to contract for an extended Continental tour, and in due course arrangements are made for the animals to be shipped to Europe in the brig Audacious. The journey has hardly well begun when Miss Joamiette begins to find the clor-e attentions of the impresario, who accompanies her to Europe, annoying. On the other hand, she finds the company of the handsome young captain of the vessel the reverse of disagreeable, and it is not long before the two become lovers. The disappointed impresario sp"Vs revenge and engineers a meeting. The captain and his sweetheart contrive to slip awav in a boat, and in leaving set fire to the ship and let loos.' the lions. To the horror of the mutineers, when they at last force the hatch, they are mot with a volume of smoke, through which there, bound upwards the terrifying forms of the infuriated lions which take charge. From their boat the captain and Miss Jeannette watch the vessel, doomed to destruction bv the flames which the presence of the animals will not allow the men to quench. Mr. Snl. Bernard played a fine solo, "Violets," on the "Onestring EenWoca." imported from the China ouartprs of the salmon fisheries of the Californinn coast by Mr. Bernard himself, whose versatility is unquestionable.