STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 275, 12 April 1913, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

I From Our Resident la-porter. Office: Next Loan & Mercantile Agency Co. Telephone 113. BOWLING On Thursday afternoon a number of members of the local club indulged in a game of progressive bowls (pairs). The afternoon passed very pleasantly. Fookes and Geo. Smart were a powerful combination, ami won all their matches. KIFLE SHOOTING

The captain of the Fire Brigade acknowledges with thanks the receipt of a donation of half a guinea from Mr. C. Wright, in acknowledgement of the.services rendered in extinguishing a fire at his residence a few evenings baek. ) In connection with the,local competitions to be held by the Tire Brigade in a month's time, it is pleasing to notice that Lieut. Wilson has a team of three in training for the novice event. It is an evident fact that this is a new departure, for the Brigade's best team has changed but little in personnel for some time past. If more interest were taken in pushing on the juniors there would be keener competition for the tirst places, and the efficiency of the brigade would be greatly enhanced. These remarks do not apply solely to the Stratford Brigade, for others in Taranaki • have had to take a back seat in the open competitions because the members of the teams have grown o!.d in the service. These men know all the tricks of the trade, and can do the necessary "pointing" (absolutely necessary, it may be said), but they have long since lost their dasli between the wickets. Push some of this knowledge into the younger fry. and then see wha'j an improvement will be made. The suggestion is hereby made that tlie oldf,' members of the Stratford Brigade should eacli coach a man or two, and put them forward not only for the novice event, but also in the open competitions. • '. The Stratford Municipal Brass Band ] will play a programme of sacred music j in the hospital grounds on Sunday after- j noon, and no doubt there will be the usual large gathering of the public. A collection is to be taken up in aid of the hospital funds. Mr. P. Burgess, land salesman for Messrs McOluggage and Co., who veIcenlly underwent an operation for appendicitis, has been recuperating at Daiinevirke. and telegraphs that he is act ting along splendidly. He hopes to I be able to resume his duties early next week.

Friday morning saw folks wocdering why letters arrived then which should have been delivered on the previous day. Enquiries at the local post office revealed that the fault lay with the New Plymouth; end. It was all right for boxholders, but, owing to the letter-carriers' half-holiday there was a delay in the delivery of New Plymouth correspondence of the great body of the public. It is regrettable that the Defence Department has decided to transfer Captain l.ampen from Stratford, for he has made good here, and the defence scheme has been', carefully brought into being and matured by him, as only a very'able and very tactful officer could foster it. He has appealed to the better instincts of the Territorials, and every man of them has unbounded respect for him. His administration has been very successful, but it is doubtful if the time has arrived for his work to be given into the hands of another. As a citizen we greatly regret that Captain Lampen is included in the Defence Department's '•general post." He has shown unflagging zeal in amateur theatricals, and he and .Mrs. Lampen will be much missed in social as well as musical circles. This reminds >is that the popular captain has taken every means possible to foster manly pastimes among the youths given into his charge. The proposal to run a special excursion train to Wellington for children to see '-Our Battleship" is not looked upon locally with any great degree of favor. Fancy sending a youngster all that way to see a battleship, when Madame Bernard will give us a faithful picture presentation here of our armored cruiser. The Public Works train is now running through to Whangamomona. It may be possible now to improve the transit of goods from 'Stratford, about which complaint was made at the last meeting of the Chamber of Commerce.

The Stratford Def L'lK'C s Rifle Club had a very successful shoot on '1 'Hun ■iday at 500 and 000 yards. Till ! SCO res ■ were. :— Trooper E. Sang.ster 4!) 4li — Do Rfm. K. Krocklebauk 45 41 — !)5 Rfm. A. Wickliam . 46 43 — 80) Rim. W. Brock .... 38 43 « 87, Rim. 0. Mitchell ... 44 37 (i 87 Rfm. J. McMahon .. 43 34 10 87 Rfm. W. Rogers ... 40 38 (i 84 Rfm. A. Speck 39 41 2 8-2 Rfm. P. Arden 34 20 20 8Q Rfm. Rutherford ... 42 30 ti 78 Rfm. X. Thorpe 39 31 — 70 STRAY PARAGRAPHS