STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 7, 9 June 1913, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTER.

THROUGH CANADA A STRATFORD RESIDENT ON TOUR. Mr. N. Fulton, of Stratford, a member of the staff of the Dairy Division, who is away on a tour of Canada and England, has written to Mr. Fearon, secretary of the Stratford A. and P. Association, forwarding a handful of "Prairie Wool." This, says Mr. Fulton, is a native grass (or grasses) that makes wonderfully good hay. The horses and mules engaged on the heavy railroad construction works on the Rocky Mountains and other places are fed entirely on this fodder, three times a day. They get no oats or chaff or grass—just this hay; and they can work day in and day out on it. "We are having a grand trip so far," says Mr. Fulton, "and the weather is delightful. The journey over the Rockies is beyond description, in regard to its beauty and wonder. We are being entertained to-day by the Dairy Commissioner at Regina, Sask. ! . . We are going on to-night to Winnipeg, thence to East Canada and New York, sailing on tahe 17tli from the latter city for Southampton. Canada," lie continues, "is a good country, and we like the people. The officers of the .famous CanadianPacific Railway Co. are the most obliging and kindest folk we have met with. Mrs. Fulton is showing improvement already." '

SCOTTISH SOCIETY The Scottish gathering at the Town Hall on Thursday next certainly promises to. be a very big affair. Members of the committee report capital sales of tickets, and apparently all the world and his wife will be thtre. The soloists will include Miss Syrief, of Wellington, one of the leading singers in the Empire City; Miss Kriight, a popular performer from Lower Hutt; Miss Nielson, Hawera's favorite vocalist; and the Hawera quartette, in praise of whose unaccompanied singing much has been written. The members of the quartette are Messrs Tarrant, Searle, Sutton and Whitehall. Miss Taylor, of Fitzroy, a clever' and versatile Scotch reciter, figures on the list; and last, but by no means least, Mr. F. H. Wilkie, whose Scotch humorous impersonations are too well known to be enlarged upon here. The programme of singing and Scotch dancing over, a bountiful supper will be served, followed by a dance, for which very complete arrangements are being made.

ODDFELLOWSHIP The American Constitution of the Independent Order of Oddfellows is one of the largest and wealthiest friendly societies in the world. Hitherto there have not been many lodges under the American Constitution in Taranaki, but there are many members in the district. Mr. H. T. Spiers, the organiser, has recently opened lodges in South Taranaki, and calls a meeting in St Andrew's Hall to-night at 8 o'clock to form a branch in Stratford. All interested are invited to attend. \

AMONG THE DOGGIER The management of the Stratford A. and P. Show view with appreciation the intelligence that the New Zealand Kennel Club has again seen fit to graciously bestow on its next fixture the challenge classes for smooth-coated collies bull-ter-riers, and field spaniels. It only needs the inclusion of pugs (black and fawn) to fill their cup of happiness to the brim.

Mr. Tom Kirkwood is interesting himself, as usual, in the dog sections at the Dominion Dairy Show at Hawera, and will be prepared to care for any dogs which owners may fear to send untended.

The following "pars" about Stratford dogs and dog-fanciers are clipped from the current number of The Farmer:—

The fawn pug bitch which Mrs. A. Dean was expecting from England, has arrived safely and well and is now in quarantine on Soames Island. I have not received full particulars as yet, but am told that the new arrival's name is Romola.

We may always know what is right, but not always what is possible. Mr. E. Jackson, late secretary of the Stratford Show, who has succumbed to canine fever, believes otherwise, and is positive that the Pomeranian pup which he has ordered from Mr. Lewis, Christchurch, "will be a chamj)ion. * Mr. E. B. Stohr, of pointer fame, late of Stratford, has purchased the Red House Hotel at Opunake, and is conveying his kennels thither.

In all probability the first litter of pups to be inoculated with AntiDistemper Phylacogen, is the Ch. Brummy Prince Bosker—Sea Spray one. Since the inoculation the pups have matured in a most remarkable manner, not having had a single day's illness, although rearing the age of five months. Two were purchased by Mr. T Kirkwood; one by Mr. A. T. Moorse, New Plymouth; one by Mr. S. Stewart, Stratford', and Mr. H. Campbell, Stratford, is also the proud possessor of one. Two are being retained by Mr. E. B. Stohr. Mr. Edward Mason, V.S.A.V.A., performed the operation.

EGMONT CLUB PARLIAMENT An excellent opportunity of acquiring proficiency in the art of public speaking, of improving the language and extending thc_ vocabulary of those taking part, is provided by the debates held in connection with the Egmont Club. In addition, members gain a knowledge of the rules governing debate and the conduct of meetings. Unfortunately the last two meetings have lapsed, owing to the small attendance. The committee has made inquiries with a view of locating the cause of the lack of interest. One is undoubtedly the choice of Wednesday for the debates. Another, it is said, is that the debates on literary and debating lines are not as attractive as along the lines of a "Parliament." In order to re-awaken a real, live interest in the debates, a special general meeting will be held on Thursday evening. June 19, when Mr. R. Masters will move to rescind the previous resolution, and re-in-troduce the Parliamentary debates. At the conclusion of the business meeting, a Bill will be introduced bv the Premier and Minister of Defence, Mr. C. D. Sole, entitled "The Compulsory Training Abolition Bill." The Leader of the Opposition is Mr. J. J. Staples.

THE BATTLESHIP Mr. P. Skoglund, secretary of the Taranaki Rugby Union, lias 'received a letter from Captain Halsey, of IT.M.S. New Zealand, in which lie says:—"Tn reply _ to your letter of May '2!)tli, I beg to inform you that I have now decided that in view of the ship lying so far out and in an open anchorage, I cannot allow any officers or men to land. I must, therefore, decline your invitation to play football."

Office and Job Printing "Works: Next N.Z. Loan & Mercantile Agency Co., Broadway., Telephone No. 113.

STRAY PARAGRAPHS Borough Council to-night. Chamber of Commerce to-morrow night. Hospital Board to-morrow. Scottish social Thursday night. The headquarters of the XI. Regiment will be moved to Hawera as soon as possible. Staff-oflicers are beginning to pack up. °

Milkmen are experiencing difficulty in procuring enough milk to keep customers supplied. In other trades, this would mean a rise of a penny a quart at least! _ The attempt to prevent the sale of liquor at show or races in Stratford, is ■being warmly discussed in some quarters. One prominent citizen, who is not a beerchewer by any means, declares that if the resolution moved at the licensing meeting on Friday is carried, he will willingly take round a petition asking the members of the committee to resign their seats. °