STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 199, 11 January 1913, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

DOMATN BOARD. At the n>'i!itli'y i!'"ptin<; of the Stratford Domain i'.Kii'ii \ < stenhiy there were present: Messrs. <i, M. <'iirtis (chairman), P. F. Balfe, T. 11. Penn and W. P. Kirkwood. It was decided to ask the Minister o* Lands what steps were to he taken in connection with the expiry of the Board's term of olfiee in March next. It was decided to place four new scats in King Edward Park, two on either side of the suspension bridge; and to erect a notice hoard at the liroadway-Fcnton street corner. The Electric Lighting Company will be asked for permission to affix the board to the street-lighting pole. This being probably the last meeting of the year at which Mr. Curtis would preside, owing to his leaving shortly for a holiday in Otago, Mr. Penn moved that the Board p'.ace on record its appreciation of the valuable services of Mr. Curtis as chairman.. Mr. Kirkwood seconded.

Mr. Curtis, in acknowledging the sentiment, said that whilst in the early days of the Board he had had to put in a good deal of time, lattely he had been able to take things more, easUy. He was gratified to know that he had the good wishes of his colleagues, and their thanks.

PERSONAL Mr. Cecil Wright will presently take over the business of Messrs. Wake and Wright, owing to Mr. Wake's decision to settle in Auckland.

STRAY PARAGRAPHS There was an unwonted outpouring of cash yesterday. Last discount day at the eiectric light office, and last day for paying up the quarter's telephone fee. A polite reminder was given during the morning that failure to "part" would mean "cutting off" the connection. We hear a lot about private monopoly and State monopoly. In this case the private one had the pull, for the electric light concern gave a discount of about 25 per cent, for cash, but the telephone people were, demanding their "ntii" a quarter in advance! A watering-cart is an excellent institution. But the greater amount of "nous" displayed in the use of it the greater are the benefits to be derived therefrom. Yesterday there was half a gale howiing down Regan street. You could see it, or rather clouds of dust prevented your seeing across-the street. Meanwhile the watering-cart pottered up and down a fairly well sprinkled Broadway. An earlier start with the sprinkler on windy days, and a reallygood soaking of that portion o,f Regan street from the Loan & Mercantile corner to Miranda street, would have been special! v appreciated vnstcrday by Messrs." R. 11. Whit" & Co., whose drapery doors opened to all the dust that b'.ew.

Mr. Hugh Cameron, who has been in Mr. Xewton King's hides department here, is now to operate on the skins whilst the beastie is inside thereof.. He has joined the stock-buying staff, of which Mr. Geo. Smith is in charge. The picnic is coming close now. The Egmont Clothing Company is making a window displav that will interest mothers. The children need to be dressed in non-spoil clothes that day. What better than a good washing suit for the boy? He can romp and gamble and get dirty, cool all the time. Washing day. and presto! the suit's as good as new again. Children's sun hats are also included in the display. The firm's new advertisement deals with "Egmont" suits, to measure or ready-made.

At a meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society's executive on Thursday evening further arrangements w re made for the Burns dinner on the 2-1 'h inst. The committee expects a big provincial gathering, and those desiring tickets are asked to apply early, for those in charge do not desire to unduly crowd the hall. Judging by the success of the iuitial function "last year, this second ''Scotch nicht" should be good. Particulars are to he advertised in due course.

Sec the special drapery bargains advertised by MY. A. IT. Herbert on this page to-day. "We don't want to spend too much on these seats." said .Mr. T. IT. Penn at the Domain Board meeting yesterday. ".But our seats are mostly p'aeed it) the shade of the trees, and are often damp." Then he sketched the stoollike structures he proposed to place in the park, adding: "Tf we make them too comfortable, people will lake up their residence there. We don't want people up there reading all the afternoon." Why not? Mr. Ralfe. leaning back in his chair, and evidently enjoying the sensation, said, "We'll have to put backs on them." But the funds won't run to backs. A local business man tel'.s a story of the sale of a certain line of goods to a lady customer. Sim came back years afterwards to complain! Her complaint was that the stuff would not wear out! The Taranaki Hardware Company has a reputation for selling ironmongery and cutlery of that description. They put rjiiality first, and make price quite a secondary matter. This is a straight tip. and its correctness can be proved bv a visit to this well-known store. At the City Hall last night Mr. George Bond, on behalf of himse'if and Mr«. Bond, was presented by the Strain ford Operatic Society with a silver fruit dish and nutcrackers. Mr. T. C. ("irubb, conductor of the Society, made the presentation, referring appropriately to Mrs. 1! id's valuable services on the boards ;!■' ! Mr. Bond's useful work behind the .-.cciies. He wished them both every success in their new home in Hamilton. Mi'. Bond, in replying, said that whether ill the Operatic Society, the Choral Society or the Dramatic Society, he and Mrs. Bond had always done their best, and they had thoroughly enjoyed their association with all these organisations.

BERNARD'S PICTURES-TO-NIGHT. That popular picture playhouse—His Majesty's Theatre—still provides amusement for Stratford's leisure hours. "The pictures" are more in vogue than ever, and the 'iOiig-contiiiiicd run of superior film* has had the effect, of increasing the number of regular "change-night" devotee-. Madame TVrnard has certainly catered well for the liberal support of the public and as she seems to have correctly felt the public pulse she is entitled to a fair share of the contents of the public purse. The present programme i* well up to Hie high standard of excellence, which has ruled throughonl. 'Mini Biiidso" and "Tn the North Wood-' - ' are the leading drama-, and the ; 'f!aumont Graphic." a pictorial presentation of the world's happenings, is a line number. The comics bring forth genuine hearty laughter. <piite a tonic, at the end of the day's worries. Curtain to-night ami every night at 8 o'clock.