STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 194, 14 February 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

FROM OUR RESID ENT REPORTER, Office and Job Printing Works: York Chambers (upstairs) iTelsphoss Ho. 111.

FAREWEUING MR WILKIE

STRATFORD'S "STAR" COMEDIAN. Jll tlie course of some highly-compli-mentary remarks concerning Mr F, H. Wilkie at Friday's meeting of the Stratford Operatic .Society, called specially to lionor that gentleman on the eve of liis departure for Wanganui,

The .Mayor of Stratford said that Mr. Wilkie was sure to make a great many friends wherever he might go, just as lie had done in Stratford, for he had always been most willing to give his services to any institution requiring them, until it was fairly safe now to say that no programme was complete without him. As secretary to the Operatic Society, Mr Wilkie had been quite a host in himself, and would be very much missed. He had "secretaried" the Society since its inception in 1011, and had played "the judge" in -'Trial by •Jury," 'Dick Deadeye." in "H.M.S. Pinafore," and 'the Major-General" in "Pirates of Penzance;" besides which he had done the major part of the work of stage-manager in the last-mentioned play. In handing to Mr Wilkie, a very handsome illuminated address, accompanied by a cheque, the Mayor, on behalf of the Society and a number of other friends, wished Mr and Mrs Wilkie "health, wealth, and prosperity."

Mr Wilkie's thanks were returned in a neat little speech, in which he promised that the address would always occupy a prominent position in his home, and he briefly referred to the satisfactory position of the Society which had been brought about by the loyalty of members to the Society and to' one' another—the only road to success. As | far as Stratford was concerned, the musical people were not the cantankerous lot that musical folks were generally supposed to "be, and he much regretted his severance with the members of the Society, than whom few societies that he knew could do better on the stage. Mr Fred Duulop, who had known the, recipient for some ten years, said that without him the Stratford Operatic Society would not have been such a success, lie was sure that wherever Mr. Wilkie might be, there would be an amateur operatic society. Miss Papps voiced the ladies' appreciation of Mr. Wilkie's .services, their regret at his departure, and their best wishes towards Mr and Mrs Wilkie in the future, "He's a Jolly Good Fellow" followed, and cheers for Mr Wilkie, Mrs Wilkie, and "the little Wilkie." SWIMMING CLUB THE MASTERS CHALLENGE CUP. The semi-finals in the 75yds distance of the Masters Cup were swum on Thursday evening. First heat: E. H. Kivell (ser) 1, B. V. Kivell (6sec) 2, C. L. Kivell Cisco) 3. Second heat: 0. M. Kivell (2sec) 1, W. Kivell (7sec) 2. Kelly (12sec) 3. The final will be swum at the carnival on Tuesday evening. THE CARNIVAL. The Stratford Swimming Club's carnival on Tuesday next is attracting prominent swimmers from Hawera, Eltham, Inglewood and Xew Plymouth, and the club itself will be well represented. The resuscitation of the club has evoked great enthusiasm amongst the local devotees of the natatorial art, and the committee in charge of the carnival airangeincnts is receiving willing assistance from the members. There will be an attractive programme of swimming and diving events, and as ample lighting is arranged for, and all arrangements are made for the comfort of patrons and competitors, there should he a successful gathering. The public should de their utmost to foster the swimming club, for it encourages an art which frequently is the means of saving valuable lives. CROQUET In the singles, the match between Stratford and New Plymouth, at Stratford on Thursday, Miss ingle beat Mrs. Fitzherbert 2G—5. Stratford won the match. STRATFORD RIFLE CLUB. Considering the shifty cross-wind blowing on Thursday, when 13 members turned up for practice, the scores were

very good. The young shots show marked improvement. The committee is anxious for all members to come and shoot, as the range is now free to the Rifle Club. The following were the scores of the day:— 300 500 COO Tl. C. Jackson 31 31 31 03 E. Brocklebank 32 30 29 91 A. Sangster 30 28 32 00 A. Mackay 30 30 20 89 A. Speck 31 30 28 89 A. Ferguson 28 3] 29 88 J. Voyle 30 29 28 87 T. Hobson 30 29 28 87 E. Silk 30 29 28 87 \V. Brocklebank 30 30 20 80 11. Voyle 25 28 28 81 W. Rogers 29 24 27 80 R. Pepperill 25 25 2(i 70 BERNARD'S PICTURES The present programme posseses some undeniably strong features. Defore passing on to a description of I one of the exciting films, mention must jbe made of the sterling orchestral music, which is in itself worth more than the price of admission. ''The Hand of Destiny," a dramagvaph by Kalem Company, is full of sensation and grandly staged. The story runs as follows:—Mr. and Mrs. Williams ! send their five-year-old daughter Mary, to visit an aunt. Some days later, | Williams is discharged from the rail- ' road service. Ho gets into bad company, and Buck Harris, a ganglcadcr, proposes that they secure the fifty thousand dollars which id being shipped on Xo. 7. It falls to Williams to set off a charge of dynamite to wreel the train. Little Marv is sent homo on Xo. .7. Williams prepares to set off the dynamite unmindful that his child js on the train. Several occurrences delay ths train. The desperadoes have an argument, and Williams refuses to take part in the affair. Buck sees the 'train, and demands with a revolver that Williams fulfil his agreement. A deadly encounter takes place, and the train dashes by in safety, Williams goes home determined to lead an honest life, and finds his little daughter telling her mother of the visit. GENERAL NEWS

At a meeting to-night a Stratford Mountain Club was formed to popularise the Stratford Mountain House. The first excursion takes place this weekend. Mr. T. Kirkwood was appointed secretary. There were only two civil cases before the Stratford S.M. Court yesterday, and in each of these judgment was given for the plaintiff by default: Newton King (Mr Stanford) v. Thomas Gooch, claim £2l os Cd, costs £2 10s (Id; A. Klee (Mr Thomson) v. 11. A. Gcldliam, claim £C 10s, and £1 12s Gdcosts. Friday's sitting of the S.M. Court lasted a little over twenty minutes. The public portion of the courthouse contained not one solitary listener, which is another way of saying that it was not raining at the time. Fro nnvliat can be gathered, Thursday's meeting of Liberals was one of the best gatherings of the party held i for some time. There was no set programme of oratory, and contributors to the evening's discussion spoke ex tempore for the most part. The present position of parties and the rejuvenation of the Democratic party were discussed at length, and the germ of sound organisation was apparent. The meeting included representatives of the settlers in the outlying centres. At yesterday's sitting of the S.M. Court, 11. Latham was fined 40s and costs on a charge of being found on ' licensed premises (luring the currency of a prohibition order. J. I!. Murray was fined 20s and costs on a charge of being found on licensed premises during the currency of a prohibition order. J. B. Murray was fined 20s and costs en ii charge of leaving a horse and vehicle Unattended in a public street. Should weather permit, there will lie a big crowd of visitors at the East Kgmont Mountain House on Sunday, for the Eltham Brass Band is due to play a programme of music there. Sir. and Mrs. Williams an making preparations for a great influx of visitors. The ears of at least one Stratford boy should have been burning a few minutes before ten o'clock yesterday morning. Ho was the subject of -some remarks by Sergeant McNceley, officio' in charge of the Stratford police station, and the character given him was anything but complimentary. ''This boy," said the sergeant, "lias been evading service of the summons by leaving liis home at all hours of the' day and night, and going for long walks in the country. . .'. lie was working for a hairdresser in the town until recently, but lately lie seems to have been doing nothing but dodging the police and this summons. He's a thorough larrikin and a hoodlum." Tn the S.M. Court yesterday, .Tack E. Lee, a senior cadet,' was fined 20s

and 7s costs, in default seven days' military detention, on a charge of failing to attend a parade of his company. Sergeant-Major Bonn)', who prosecuted, stated that Reeve had attended only Ifi parados out of IS2 called, and only one half-day parade out of three, On the last half-day parade this lad was more interested in watching a bicycle race than in taking part in drill, and, when sent in by the Sorgt-.Uujor to explain to the Officer-Commanding 1 , advanced the plea that he thought it was too wet for drill, lint not for a bike race, oh no! Eight sticks of dark llavelock tobacco i for (is; eighl sticks of Derby, Gs; eight 2oz tins_llavelock, "s'fld; eight 2oz tins Derby, 7s fid. These are specimen prices from Stan. Sharp's stock of smokers' requisites. Xext Bellringer'a, Stratford. A gift to please those yc i would favor with a mark of your personal esteem—your portrait. Nothing could be more appropriate. Make an appointment with Mr McAllister to-day. Broadway, Stratford. There is no questioning the fact that I "The Kash" is the best place in Stratford for men to supply their clothing and mercery wants. Quality and pride tell their own unequalled story in favor of the store.