STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 10, 12 June 1913, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

THE FIRE BRIGADE,

On. Tuesday nig'it, the Stratford Fire Brigade mustered for inspection. The members of the Borough Council's Fire Brigade Committee had ..been officially invited to be present, but unfortunately only Cvs. X. J. King and J. Frederic could atteiut, tendering apologies for the absence of the iMayor arid'Cr. Thompson. The Brigade mustered in full force at the lire station. After the inspection, i Cr. X. ,1. King, the senior member of the i committee, brielly addressed the mem-' bers, and warmly congratulated Captain Grubb and his men upon the really excellent condition of the whole of the gear. Mr King said he had never seen it looking better than now. He also congratulated the Brigade upon their appearance, saying they were indeed a credit to the service to which they belonged—a purely voluntary service, but,one whose value could hardly be over-estimated. Speaking for the Council, Cr King said that the ratepayers' representatives were fully appreciative of the good work done* by the brigade, and the'ainount of time given to training,in. order to obtain efficiency; und if at any time the brigade found that its apparently reasonable requests for expenditure in its interests was refused, the members would understand it -was because there was no money available. An adjournment was then made to i the meeting-room, where Lieutenant T. Wilson was presented.by Captain Grubb, on behalf of the members, with a very fine silver-mounted bread knife and board, on the occasion of his approaching marriage. Captain Grubb spoke of his lieutenant in briefly eulogistie terms, stating that he had been associated with him in vbarious institutions for nearly fourteen years past. Lieutenant Wilson had been in the brigade for eight years, and had always been an enthusiastic worker. He had always been outspoken, and sometimes his views had conflicted with those of the speaker himself, but they were both in their different ways working in what they eoneeived to be the best interests of the brigade, and had heen friends all the j "while. Reference was made to Lieutenant Wilson's prowess in competition work, arid Kis keenness generally. Mention was also made of the fact that Lieutenant Wilson had been in charge of the station for five years, and held the record for long residence (seven years) on the station. That condition of affairs, however, was now about to be changed, and the speaker expressed members'.'best wishes for Lieutenant Wilson's happiness in married life. Cr. King also spoke, briefly expressing the wish that there would always be something good on the bread board, and' sufficient mouths to keep it in use. .Lieutenant Wilson heartily thanked his comrades for their handsome present, and the speakers for their good wishes.

DRUID'S LODGE.

At the half-yearly meeting of the Stratford Druids Lodge on Tuesday evening, the balance sheet showed a..very satisfactory position of the finances, whilst a good increase of members for the. period was reported. A.D. Bro. Hagaard was in the chair. The election of Officers resulted: J.P.A., Bro. M. C. Aagaard; A.D., Bro. T. Ladd; V.A., Bro. Johnson; secretary, Bro. J. W. B. Jones; treasurer, Bro. H. Burmester; 1.G., Bro. Cx. W. Mills; 0.G., Bro. A. Nelson; A.D.B.'s, Bros: B. Green and J. K. Stone; V.A.B.'a, Bros. S. Clark and S. Reader; auditors, Bros. G. W. Mills and J. J. East. District President, Bro. J. Harding, of Hawera,' duly installed the officers in their respective places. Subsequently the usual supper was held, the newly-elected Arch-Druid in the ehair. A short toast-list was discussed, Bro.,Ladd proposing "The Grand Lodge," which was responded to by the District President. Recitations were given by Bros.' Ladd and Johnson.

SALE OF PEDIGREE JERSEYS.

IS THE TOWN HALL.

Cr. Thompson pointed out to the' Borough Council, on Mondav evening,! that the revenue from the Town Hall in May had been nil, but there had been expenditure. In the discussion which ensued, several councillors expressed th<V opinion that it was not a matter of great concern if the Town Hall did not pay, for, whether it paid or not, it was always there as a convenience for the local people. The absence of travelling theatrical companies was not greatly to be deplored, for if they cut Stratford out of their programme, it meant that they did not take away Stratford's good cash. Cr. Thompson replied that the hall got very few local functions, because the tariff was too high, and urged that something should be done to make it available for dances and socials At present it cost £3 10s to hire the hall for a dance. Cr. Masters said it was useless to attempt to bring this hall into competition with the smaller halls for dances, when the small halls could be hired for 7s 6d or 10s a night, less than the' cost of lighting the Town Hall. Cr. King reckoned the Council should make the hall pay if it could. Councillors had pooh-poohed his statement a couple of years ago that the opening of the picture hall would reduce the Town Hall revenue, but it had occurred all the same. Cr. Boon said the reason why the hall was not paying was because the '' Couneil would not listen when men of-! fered' to hire it at so much a week for long periods for picture shows. Why, the Eltham Town Hall was let for pic-' tures at £8 a week for five years. He believed the charge to local shows should i be reduced.—Referred to the Town Hall j Committee. I

TO-NIGHT'S SCOTTISH SOCIAL.

Hardly any need 1m remind anyone of the big Scotch .gathering at the Town Hall to-night. The singers from afar off arrived last night. Miss Segrief sang last winter in Hawera, and is classed as one of the best lady singers ever heard there.

STRAY PARS.

Mr. Tom Kirkwood, a well-known and enthusiastic dog fancier, wonders that so far, the Taranaki Winter Show authorities have not added a dog section to the schedule. lie says that at present there is a very good entry of dogs for the Hawera Show, but there would probably bo more if there were two shows, for most of the exhibitors would? compete at both places, seeing that it takes praetically as much time and' trouble to prepare for one show as two. With the constantly increasing ranks of dog fanciers, and the importation of much pure bred stock, the idea should be worthy of finding a prominent place, in the Society's suggestion book. Mr. W. H. H. Young reported to the' Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday that I be had made enquiries with reference tothe snggesetion that the route of the Stratford Main-Trunk railway might be taken northward towards the Mokau, and had found that the country up that way was so rough and precipitous that

FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTER. Ofiice and Job Printing "Works: Next N.Z. Loan & Mercantile Agency Co., Broadway. { .Telephone No. 113,

it. would be very difTicult, if not impossible, to find a route. The iouil roller, tried to got down into i tin; old tunnel in Central Broadway yes- | tonliiy, but without avail. I Have yon seen the braw Scots in the •special "Il.B." window display? ' Stral.ford promises to semi a very fair i|iio!a ot visitors to the Winter Slioiv. It i? i|uile evident that many- of the parents of children do not recognise scarlet fever in. "its early stages. This is proved by'' the fact that recently a couple of children in one family were suffering from the disease, and one wus attejulinp school. The suggestion of the Hospital Board that a commonsense leaflet should be issued on the subject, was approved by the School. Committee oir Tuesday- night, members remarking that ignorance of this kind might lead to an epidemic among the school pupils.

It has been decided in the case of the Stratford School that no children below Standard 11. will be taken on board H.M.S. New Zealand at New Plymouth in charge of the teachers. The excursion to New Plymouth, however, will include pupils of six years and oyer, and these are to be-given"',the chance of seeing 11.M.5. New Zealand from the top of a sand lull of their own make on the beach, unless they are taken off to the ship by their parents or guardians. •. The evening goods train yesterday was i longer than the railway yard. It consisted mainly of "empties," brought up for the battleship excursion. The Committee of. the Chamber of Commerce is to endeavour to enliven the train serviee out east, particularly from | Te Wera eastwards.

A trial has been made of the Carron stoves in the new brick school, and it has' been demonstrated that when used in connection with a little commonsense, they warm the classrooms splendidly. It has just dawned on somebody that these stoves are radiators, meant to produce heat which is distributed by means of pipes. They have now been fitted with longer stove pipes in the rooms, and these give off so nraeh heat that windows have to be used to let in a breath of coolness.

The Rev. W. A. Butler has not relinquished command of the Boy Scouts, as we were given to understand. The ranks are now so strong that there are two troops,, and Mr. Kimberley takes charge of No. 2 troop. . It would be distinctly unfortunate for the Scouts should their senior scoutmaster give up the position, for he is an enthusiast in the work, and believes that it can be made effective in better shaping the future lives of the lads enrolled.

It is unofficially stated that arrangements are being made for the members of the Boy Scouts to do their Senior Cadet drills with the Scouts. The boys will be glad. The Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday evening decided to ask the Tradesman's Association to take into consideration the matter of holding a "New Zealand Industries Week." For some time efforts have been made on behalf of the settlers to have a mail service instituted between Whangamo: mona and Ohura. Mr. Kirkwood men; tioned at the Chamber of Commerce meeting that he understood an Ohura man was prepared to undertake the mail service when the roads became passable. The authorities will, not be allowed to lose sight of the matter.

A final reminder is given our readers of the Pedigree Jersey Sale to be held at Mr. Newton King's Stratford yard*, on Friday next, on account of Mrs. H J. Richmond and Mr. W. Saywell. The catalogue contains particulars of some very choice Jerseys, all of which, owing 4o several circumstances, are to be offered to the public absolutely -without reserve. The sale of such well-known prize-winning cows as Gold Leaf, Magnetic Ray, Lady Ray, Enid, etc.,-should attract a lot of attention. All the young pedigree cattle have been bred right on dairy line?, mostly by "K. See sth," one of the celebrated K.C.B.'s sons. Another point worth noting is that most of the cows are in calf to this bull. For general convenience of the public, the sale will be held on the Stratford yards, and all trucking and snipping arrangements will be carefully attended to by the auctioneer's agents.

• The King's Birthday does not eause any great excitement when it 'falls in midwinter, as does the present Sovereign's birthday. It is not much of a time for out-door gatherings, unless you are clothed in warm underwear, a good suit, and topcoat from The Kash" (Mulden and Marshall, proprietors)-. The men of to-day and the men of tomorrow are all interested in this announcement that the best place ia Stratford for a hair-cut or shave is S. Sharp's Egmont Saloon, next Bellringer Bros. Why not b,uy your cigars, cigarettes, tobaccos, pipes and matehes there, too?