STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 273, 10 April 1913, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

From Our Resident Reporter. OUiee: Xext Loan fc Mercantile Agency Co. 'i'"|f!'li'>ne il.'i. THE FIRE BRIGADE At the regular meeting of the Fire Brigade on Tuesday, Captain Grnbb presiding, tliere was at times some lively discussion, with a few rapid exchanges arising out of a very general inclination to air grievances. As a consequence, the air was cleared of quite a number of cloudlets that had threatened the sunshine of the brigade's existence. The main business done is enumerated below. Foreman Burgess was presented with Messrs. Hallensteiii Bros.' trophy.; Fireman Davis with the Burgess Cup; and Fireman Boon with the Bishara Cup. These trophies were won in the annual competitions. It was decided to run three events on Thursday, May 8 next, for the trophies, presented by Messrs. T. Mercer, A. Moon and C. E, James, and for the novice medal presented by Lieutenant Wilson.

A letter was received from the Taranaki Provincial Fire Brigades' Association, stating that if the brigade desired to have the next annual provincial competitions held at Stratford, application should be made now. It was decided not to apply for this year's competitions. BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTIONS Mr. F. G. Arden has definitely decided to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming Borough Council elections. Mr. Arden is a very old Taranaki settler, and experienced in road work, so he should be able to do good service. Mr. C. B. .Walsh is also mentioned as a very likely starter. STRATFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE At the monthly meeting of the executive of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce, Mr. W. P. Kirkwood (vice-presi-dent) presided. ' Mr. E. Jackson reported on his interview with the County Council concerning the state of the Upper Pembroke road, leading ■ to. the Mountain House. *■ The Council iiad promised to expend £4 on road work, provided the Borough Council would similarly contribute, and that ,£4 was subscribed by the public. Mr. Jackson said that Mine. Bernard was prepared to give a benefit picture performance. The matter will be brought under the notice of the Borough Council, and further arrangements were left with Messrs. Jackson and Richards (secretary).

. , Mr. R. Masters reported that there was still- room for improvement in the management of railway matters on the length controlled by the Public Works Department Jt was possible to pre-pay 'freights as far as the Mangare road only, and not by the tram. And the Department refused to charge the freight to the consignees. The result was that Stratford business firms were at a loss as to how to serve their customers out there, and the business was to a certain extent • lost,- passing into the hands of the. country storekeepers. Messrs. Masters and Wi H. H. Young were empowered to enquire into the matter, with a view-of solving the difficulty. Mention was made that a request had •beon : miide by the settlers to have a survey made of a still more northerly route of the Stratford-Okahukura railway. At present the choice lies between Tangarakau Gorge' and Heao Valley.

, ( STRATFORD RIFLE CLUB The Stratford Rifle Club will fire a .match to-day for Messrs. Hallenstein Bros.' trophy. Handicaps:—Riflemen C. Jackson. Q. Speck, X. Thorpe, Wickham, scr: ; A. Speck, 2; Gollop, 4; W. Brocklebank, Rutherford, Rogers, Sangster, Mitchell,. Ritchie, Ferguson, 6; Newland, 7; Mackay, 8; McMahon, Arden, Bowler, 20. STRAY-PARAGRAPHS . the Stratford Football Club will open the,"season' to-day. 'Players are asked to be on the show grounds at 3 o'clock sharp, when sides will be picked. ,Tlie examinations of music teachers by the Trinity College of Music/London, on "(he art of teaching" are to be hold at Stratford in July for theory, and in August for practical work,. So far, Mr. T. 0. Grnbb, the local representative, has received names of seven candidates, of whom Jour are from Hawera and three from the Convent at Stratford. Entries for the pupils' examinations close during the last week in the present month. Toko Sports to-day. Mount Egmont's pure whiteness is very suggestive of winter. : The people hereabouts don't seem a bit enthusiastic about the fact that the •Premier, accompanied by a Stratford party, planted a tree at Mangatoki the ■othei- day. On the other hand, feeling ,is alleged to be running high at Eltham, and' lengthy discussions are to be heard about -'political etiquette," "Stratford's bounce",and "manners." After all, the I schoolmaster and the Premier were alone to-blame.

Contrary to the opinions expressed "Mown the line," Stratford is not seeking to "divert" the Opunake railway route from Taranaki. It may suit the book of Kltham agitators to say so, but if they will read the News of last Friday tlifty will see that Stratford merely asks for an immediate commencement of the Stra'tford-Kapoiiga-Manaia railway, which was recommended by the Opunake Railway Commission. One'can easily understand the objections raised by the Eltham people, and even excuse th'e misrepresentation, when one looks at the map, and observes that a railway line running from Stratford along the'route suggested would serve the South Taranaki district admirably. Should the Stratford-Kaponga-Manaia line be constructed first there are shall we say, possibilities. Several new volumes have been added to the Stratford Public Library. Subscribers are advised, not ollicially, to disregard the information contained on the labels of (he library books, for these labels are far from truthful' about the hours of attendance, and so on. Bacon and liana have "riz." Prime bacon, now selling in rashers by the retailers at a shilling a pound, will have to he advanced in price, for the bacon companies have shot up the figure at which they will supply to retailers. Hams are now selling wholes."!.' at lid or liyUl! As the bens have recently decided "to limit the production, with a view to regulating the price of eggs, (he "amanegz'' of the restaurant is not so abundant as or yore.