j STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 200, 13 January 1913, Page 3

j STRATFORD NEWS.

SiaATFOSD'S I?«LAND TRADE

TIM!-" 'i' l! M'\'\E L'P.

The men recently "sacked" from the railway construction works in the Whangamomona district did not sill take their dismissal "Tying down.*' Rome wrote to the Prime Minister about it, One old man who called at this olliee , the other day showed a reply that he had received from the Hon. Ihe Prime Minister to hi" application for reinstatement. The Prime Minister had consul; - ed the Mini-tcr for Public Works, who replied: "hi reply to \our memo, of !M>i '"November, forwarding an application bv Mr- • " f Whaniramoniomi. for further employment on the road or raihvav construction works, 1 have the honor'to state that on enquiry I am advised by the resident engineer that several men with claims equa', to 's have recently been dispensed with -n the Taranaki district. 1 am afraid it will not be possible to find a place for immediately. He will, however, be borne in mind whenever additional men are being engaged."

The applicant was an elderly man, and, according to his own story, an old soldier. On this fact he rested his claim for preferential treatment. "If this is the wav they are going to treat a veteran, seventy years of age. (lie sooner we have a change the better." he said indignantly. "Fancy a man at my time o f \?fe "being told to pick up my swag. Man." he continued, and be grew excited. "T joined the army in 1802. and foutrht to '67. Why should I be put off and"foreigners be kept on? I've fought for my King, and this is all the consideration I get. In lSfi7 I was called Heme to go to the Ashanti war with the (!th Inniskillen Dragoons. In 1879 I was in the Zulu war, and in 18S2 J was invalided out of tke army." The old chap looked fit for many a day's pick and shovel work yet.

This with a view of raising the question, "What are we going to do about it?" Are we going to make ourselves heard in the matter of slackening oil' the rate of progress on railway works? Is that railway nothing to us that we make no move? Is it not a fact that the early completion of the work is vital to us? Shou'.d the eastern end of the line be pushed on, and slowed off, won't Auckland profit at our, expense? The trade of that country is earmarked for us. hut unless we make a move we will see it going in another direction. Without seeking to make political capital out of the situation, can it be urged that the same attitude would have been adopted by some of our leading men had Mr. lline." M.P.. been still in the ranks of the Opposition? Mefhinks there would have been an indignation meeting before now. Mr. McCluggagc's remarks at Mr. Webster's complimentary dinner the other day were timely. Here is an opportunity for the Chamber of Commerce to get busy, and to look at the, position from Stratford's point of view. Perhaps the Borough Council wil'. mention it at its first meeting!

STRAY PARAGRAPHS The contractor has made a start with tin- alterations and additions to the Xcw Zealand Loan & Mercantile Agency Company's premises. Ilevr 'C. C. Overbye. until recently leader of the Kiite' Orchestra at 'Hi* .Majesty's, has left for Wanganui, where lie has secured an engagement as violinist at the King's Theatre picture orchestra. Mr. E. A. Smith, a local carrier, who died of pneumonia this week, leaves a widow and family unprovided for. A subscription taken up has so far realised over £2O. Mr. A. Coleman, secretary of the Sintford Kiicing Club, has been away fro:a his office, for some days. Enquiries elicited information on'.y that ''he's not very well." It now transpires that he is suffering from appendicitis, and was operate,i upon successfully on Saturday morning. Messrs. Webster, Dohsnn & Co. hold their lirsi *tock sale to-day at Strathmore. .Mr. !■". W. \Vchstcr will wield the hammer.

The dairv factories will pay out on Saturday, t'hp 18th, instead of the 20th, of this month.

A fanner in the Midhirst district milks over 71 eows without employing labor or using macliines. If a Stratford draper wanted Ills son to learn the business or to run errands and make himself generally usefth. he would need to allot the youngster a page in the wages book. The man on the land has a lot to be thankful for. The Hospital Board metis to-morrow. BERNARDS PICTURES CHANGE To-night's change of programme at His Majesty's Theatre presents a bill of unusual excellence. Variety is the keynote, a large number of films being screened. Pathe's Gazette k more than usually attractive, items of interest being the launch of the super-Dreadnought .Marlborough, and scenes in Constantinople upon the departure of Turkish reinforcements to the front who were farewel'.ed by the Sultan. A dramatic production. "An Adopted Son." by Selig. picVire- a touching reunion of the long separated mother and son. Another Sobig drama. "The Miller of Ibirgundy," shows the primitive life led by 'the French peasantry of the present (lay. A unique drama by Lubin. entitled "The Missing Finger." is the star of the series. "Lessons in Liquid Air" is a very interesting picture. The comedies are genuine sparklers.