Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 183, 20 December 1912, Page 3

Stratford News

From Our Resident Reporter,

STRATFORD'S TRADING TERRITORY

DEVELOPMENTS OUT EAST.

Where is that Papakuro road tiiat the Kotare Progressive Association wants us to take nn interest in? The Chamber of Commerce as a body does not know exactly where it is. It is the PapaKIXO road, and when completed it will give these Kotare people a chance to get to the railway. I met Mr. H. T. Twiss, Crown Lands ranger, on the train yesterday morning. Now, Mr. Twiss knows tiie backblocks like a book. lie has to. He located that road in a twinkling, and traced its course all too quickly. Going more slowly, to accommodate himself to the reporter's pencil, he said that it is the road from Kotare joining the Mt. Dampier road, which runs into the Mangapapa road, which connects with the Rerekapa road, the Rerekapa road joins the Moki road, and the Moki joins the main Ohura road, which approaches the railway somewhere near Tahora. A man with such an intimate knowledge of the backblocks should be made an honorary member of the Chamber of Commerce, and might be specially invited to attend meetings at which matters like these are to be discussed. Nay, more. The Chamber has no really good map of that great district, upon whose development depends our prosperity in the future. A i large map of the whole district would ' cost about £lO. Were such a map obtained, Mr. Twiss would be glad to mark in additional details of forest ] areas, land to be opened up, laud now being surveyed, and, more important than all, the area of the country after. whose trade we should be reaching.

/ The settlers in the Kotare district are anxiously awaiting the extension of and rail, so that, instead of having to negotiate Mt. Messenger in order to reach Waitara to do their business, they will be able to travel more rapidly, easily, and comfortably to their business centre of the future—Stratford. In connection with the Omona Forest Reserve for selection, it is understood that already instructions have been given to have the land surveyed at onet. The petition of the settlers for the subdivision of this land, and the opening of the Waitiri road, has been acceded to, and doubtless the Chamber of Commerce had some finger in the pie, also. This Waitiri road ' connects the Mangaehu road -with the Rawhitiroa road, and,, when formed, will c-ausc Stratford to receive much more trade than now. for it will bring the Omona district within fourteen miles by easy road from the Douglas railway station, whereas now the settlers have to travel about twentyfour miles to Eltham, negotiating three heavy saddles by the way. The Mangaelui road is already metalled to the point of junction with the Waitiri road, and two sums of £2OO have been voted for expenditure on t)ie Waitiri road itself.

Feed is abundant in the fertile valleys out east, and it is estimated that the settlers could (lo with 20,000 head of young stock to feed it down. The scarcity of stock, with ; the consequent high prices, is embarrassing these backbloekers, for they look askance at market reports quoting £3 12s 6d for yearlings. Short of stock to "break down" new burns, they are faced with serious difficulty. &TUDEBAKER CARS Sixty years ago the founder of the Studebaker Corporation established in small beginnings that great vehicle in- \ dustry which has grown steadily with the growth of the nation, until to-day it stands first in the world. The qualities which have made the name Studebiker the synonym for success give that i name the force of a true guarantee on every vehicle bearing that title. These i motpr-cars are guaranteed for fully a ! year, and not only is there this guarantee, but another important consideration is that there are parts depots in all parts of the world. Xo waiting, no 1 disappointments. With an astonishingly reasonable price, a long guarantee, and. added to satisfactory performance an assurance of low upkeep expense, yon i can buy a Studebaker-Flanders "20"' or "SO".and be content. The Studej baker Corporation are the largest autoj mobile manufacturers in the world, and, in the number of cars built, in quality and value, they claim to lead all competitors. The E.M.F. "30" car has been used by the Mount Cook Car Company. Satisfaction in that service should mean something, for the cars are put to the severest test, carrying passengers, luggage and parcels. The company attests that in the annual overhaul of the car "it was merely a case of cleaning and putting her together again." Their letter also says: " . . .will bring a rush of traffic. "We are putting the E.M.F. into the thick of it, over the hardest part of the road. This will give you an idea what we think of her. . .* ." The "Flanders" is equally reliable. Mr. A. W. Reid has been fortunate enough to secure the Stratford agency.

BERNARD'S JPICTURES The new programme at His Majesty's Theatre features scenery that all will enjoy. The whole set of films, procured from the grfeat studios of the world, provide a variety of entertainment that could not he procured for the price anywhere but at a picture palace. The ever-popular Kalem players appear in a stirring story of adventure titled "The Adventures of American Joe," and I'ie American Biograph excel in a beaut'i'nl child film story, "A Child's Remorse." Edison educational pictures are always interesting, and none will prove iron.' so than their latest release, '"Winter Logging in Maine, U.S.A." The film shows the activity of the logging camps during winter months, when the heavy snowfall makes the hauling of heavyloads of logs possible over the smooth, icy roads through the woods. The film abounds in interesting scenes and magnificent photography, bound to please the most critical taste. A fine quartette of dramatic studies, a number of humorous comedy skits, and several educational films complete the programme, which will bo repeated to-night and toi morrow night.