STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 207, 21 January 1913, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

(From Our lUwdent Reporter). THE FIRE BRIGADE. Tim Stratford Fire Brigade teams for Wanganui will resume active practice this morning. The following have been selected to represent the brigade, and recent performances render it unlikely that they will give other than a good account of themselves:—Lieutenant Wilson, Foreman Burgess, Branchman Boon, and Firemen Davies and Sullivan; emergency, Fireman Crossan. The particulars of the association's special event are to hand. It is regarded as a ••stiff" one. Five men take part, but their places in the team are allotted to them only just before the pistol goes. There will need to be a lot of luck and a skilled team to win it.

The brigade's annual competitions phould be unusually interesting this year, for the men will be just about at the top of their form, The competitions take place 011 the local practiceground on February 13. The events to lie decided are: One-man coupling, for Hallenstein Bros.' challenge trophy; oneman carry-gear, for the Gishara Cup; and a one-inan scratch event, for the Burgess Cup. The donor of the lastnamed trophy has been permitted to alter the conditions attached to the prize. Hitherto it has been essentially a challenge cup, and it has been impossible for any man to win it outright. Xow, two wins in succession or three at intervals will make it the property of the successful competitor. Lieutenant Wilson has won this event for the last three years in succession.

The annual trial of strength with the Eltham Brigade will be held shortly at Stratford, probably before the New Zeals nd demonstration at Wanganul.

BOWLING The following three rinks of Stratford bowlers will take part in the Taranaki tournament next week:— J. Masters, C. Martin, J. W. McMillan. G. Sangster (s). S. M. Porritt, A. Spence, X. J. King, G. Smart (s). T. C. Fookes, J. Brake, A. Black, R. MeK. Morison (s). SHOOTING MATTERS The Stratford Defence Rifle Club will send a team to Xew Plymouth on Thursday to fire in a match against the Xew Plymouth Club at the Rewa Rewa range. The Stratford Gun Club will hold the second shoot for the Ballistite Cup on Thursday afternoon. The secretary, Mr. G. D. Hunter, has received advice of the arrival in the Dominion of the 25-guinea Boswell gun to bp. offered as first prize in a big shoot under the auspices of the club, probably during March. Entrants are expected from all over the Dominion, and as it is compulsory for competitors to be members of the club, the local club should earn a good deal of revenue. This district promises to be well represented at the Taranaki Rifle Association's meeting on the Rewa Rewa range. Mr. Campbell Jackson, who is tremendously enthusiastic in shooting matters, and who is one of the crack shots of the district, informed me yesterday that quite a number of the Pohokura and Whangomomona riflemen have intimated to him their intention of competing. |

STRAY PARAGRAPHS Mr. G. W. Stubbs, who has been appointed manager for the Opunake branch of the Xew Zealand Loan & Mercantile Agency Company, has been with the firm in Stratford for several years. Mr. Stubbs has all the qualifications for the post, and should make a success of the branch. One of his specialties is a remarkably accurate knowledge of all the intri' acies of the railway freight tariff, lie leaves this week for Opunake, and will be succeeded by Mr. 11. <D. Hill. Mr. A. B. Burrell, of Hawera, contractor for the new offices in Juliet street for the Public Works Department, was here yesterday making preparations for a start with the contract. A good deal of filling has to be done on the site, and the spoil for this earth will be brought down from the Flint road railway crossing. This is not a very safe sort of crossing, the banks tending to obstruct the view of the line, which is only a few feet from the main road. The new building is to be ready for occupation in six months' time. The Midhirst Hotel changes hands today, when Mr. James O'Connell hands over to Mr. A. M. Robertson, formerly 01 the Thistle Hotel, Auckland. Mr. J. B. Hine, M. P., left by yesterday's express for Wellington,' to join the party of Xorth Island members who are going to extend their knowledge of Central Otago. Mr. Will Diamond, the popular manager of His Majesty's Pictures, leaves to night for Auckland for a short holiday. Mr. R. Woods, of Mr. Xewton's King's Stratford branch, is to join Messrs. Webster, Dobson & Co.'s clerical staff. Mr. John Callaghan, of Ngaere, and formerly of Wellington, died at his home on Sunday, after a long and painful illness. Mr. John Callaghan, manager of the dairy factory at Pihama, is a son of the deceased, who, with his family, was veil respected in the locality. The Inspector of Permanent Way, Mr. T. Xove, has taken up his residence here.

BERNARD'S PICTURES, STRATFORD The story of "Together," one of the big dramas oil to-night's picture programme at His Majesty's, is as follows: Dr. Hallklay, an eve specialist, his wif" Rose and little daughter May, are well-to-do, and should be happy, but the spark of !ove in the family is wanting. Finally the parents agree to separate, the. mother keeping the child, and lialliday taking apartments elsewhere. Little May is attacked with a dose of measles, another doctor is called in and gives instructions that the room must lie kept dark. The child, however, one day opens the window and lets in the bright sunshine. Shortly after recovering from the disease she becomes blind. In the emergency. Rose sends for her husband, and he with his skill restores the child's eyesight. The jov of both fatlW and mother at the success of the operation reunites them, and love dominates a happy family. "AVon at High Tide" is a laughable comedy picture. Papa Brown is dead set against fJeorge .Jones courting his (laughter Sallv. The old gentleman is afflicted with gout. and has lo be wheeled around in a rolling chair, (.eorge bribes the attendant to quit his job. and he (George), disguising himself, secures the position. One day lie rolls the chair down io the water's edge, and leaves it there for the lide to rise, which it very quicklj does. Poor Brown shouts for help, and George responds, but will not pull the chair back until he gets papa's consent to woo and win the preMy daughter.