STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 195, 16 February 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

FROM OUR RESED ENT REPORTER. " ■». Office and Job Printing Works: York Chambers (upstairs) jTdtpkes* No. 111.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL , With the excellent entries received the success of to-morrow evening carnival is almost assured, for in all other resnects, except as regards the weathei, which is entirely in the lap of the gods, full arrangements have been made which will ensure the complete comfort osomuetitors and .spectators alike. A musical programme will be a feature of the evening. STRAY PARAGRAPHS. Stratford "swimmers were fairly successful at the Inglewood carnival on Friday. Cecil Kivcll won the 50yds and 220 yds open races. Eric Kiveil won the 100 yds and was second in the divin». Stratford beat Inglewood,at polo. A "feature of the meeting was the excellent swimming of the ladies, aHd effoits are being made to have a number of them as competitors in the Stratford carnival to-morrow night. The Jngl--wood club entertained the visitors at supper, and the secretary (Mr. Billiard) said Inglewood would reciprocate the Stratford club's help by sending a good team to the Stratford carnival. BERNARD S PICTCRES. To-night patrons will be treated to an entire change of programme at His Majesty's Theatre. "Th» Black Circle is a thrilling story of the exploits of a gang of expert thieves. Vivain Vane "ambles at his club, and loses heavily to Guy Molynaix. He is liable to pay, and when Molyneux visits him, more in jest than in earnest Vivian tells his persecutor that there is nothing left for hini but to join the Black Circle Gang. Molyneux seizes upon the do- \ spairing remarks and says lie can show him in the way. Vivian is initiated that : night, and is soon elected to carry out a robbery. He sees his mother's portrait looking down upon him, and detei'miaes to refuse the task" and Icavo , the country. He arrives in Chicago, with letters of introduction to Amos Brown, a millionaire farmer out West, and soon gets work on a farm. He marries his daughter Edith. Meanwhile the detective is on the soent of the Black Circle, and all are captured but Molyneux, the leader. lie goes to America, and discovers Vivian, whom he threatens to expose unless lie gives him money, which he refuses to do. In revenge, the blackmailer abducts Editn. but Vivian and the cowboys rescue her. Molyneux oscapcS and throws himself oven a precipice, and is killed. THE LIBERAL CANDIDATE

Despite the fact that Friday night s j gathering of liberal delegates waß clos- j ed to the preSß and allegedly conducted j in private, it was an open secret in Broadway on Saturday that the two 'man locking for political konors in the event of Mr. Joe McCluggage adhering to his determination not to oontest the seat, are Mr. Thos. Boyle, master of, Pembroke School, and Mr. W. H. Hawkins, connected with the firm of T. I. Lamason, auctioneer. The prospects of these men, their strong points and their failmgs, were actively diseUßsed iu the street. Apparently Mr. Boyle's friends rely on his long association with the district* and his study of social and political problems (the results of the said study being launched broadcast Saturday by Saturday) combined with the engaging style of a mescurinl son of Erin,, earnest and eloquent. Mr jHJuwkins' recommendations include a knowledge of campaigning, as the result of previous political fights, a fund of knowledge of political questiois, asd i, jrood platform reputation for ready wit and acidulated criticism. But he has not been here very long. Mr. McCluggage is well known throughout the Dominion as a pioneer settler full of grit and kindliness, and a man of excellent reputation in the district in which he has lived for the greater part of his life. He fought a good fight at last election. PERSONAL.

The Rev. W. A. Butler, M.A., ficar of Stratford, is resigning hia charge, and leaves during April for England. The present incumbent is an active manactive in the duties of his office and physically active. His energies have resulted in the upbuilding of his congregation and in a higher tone in church matters. He has never looked for popularity, nor chosen the easy way, for lie has pursued ideals with firmness in the face of obstinate opposition. Outside of church matters, the Rev. Butler Iris

been mainly instrumental fn the establishment of the church preparatory high school, and as Scoutmaster in charge of the Boy Scouts patrol ho has not spared himself, but has worked ■whole-heartedly with his boys, endeavoring to instil into his youthful charges that spirit of manliness which is necessary in our lads if their own lives arc to be of the greatest use to the State. Here again the vicar has met with criticism, some parishioners openly asserting that the time devoted to the hoys should be given to parish visiting, but, as he retorted at a recent meeting of his parishioners, the time given to the Boy Scouts was his own time, and it represented his recreation as well as a mission. Parents of the boys arc propared to depose to the benefits their lads have derived from their conneefeion with the scout movement and their regular personal contact with their pastor and guide.

The C.E.M.S. members will miss the several "smoke" evenings for men, with a view of levelling down harriers. The possession of a good voice, and a versatile musician, we have seen him assisting in entertainments, even to the extent of impersonating "Massa Johnson" in a minstrel troupe.

The Rev. Butler leaves .Stratford on April 21st. and sails from Wellington two days later for London, with the intention of re-entering the ranks of the clergy in (England. Mr. D. P. Fraser, of the local stall' of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., was on Friday evening the recipient of a presentation from the local staff of the company on the occasion of his retirement from the service to join his father in business in Tiinarn. Mr. W. A. Hewitt, the local manager of the company, in a few well chosen words, wished Mr. Fraser every success in his new sphere, and said how sorry he was to part with such a promising officer. Mr. Fraser suitably replied. Mr. Fraser left by Saturday morning's train for Wellington,,', en route for Timaru. Mr. Phillip Mcßarron, of the Masterton Branch, succeeds Mr. Fraser as book-keeper and cashier at the Stratford branch. DOMAIN BOARD.

At the annual meeting of the Board on Friday Messrs W. P. Kirkwood, T H. Penn, R. McK. Morison. and P. Thomson were present.

It wa9 decidsd to offer the free use of the parks to the New Plymouth school picnic on March 12th. Mr. Penn reported discovering a fire among the pine needles in King Edward Park, endangering the bush, and it was decided to erect a signboard warning people agaiwt lighting fires in tha park. Mr. Morison suggested the appointment of a permanent caretaker, and thought the Borough Council should subsidwe the Board to enable ffhe appointment to be aiade.—The chairman doubte'd if tire Borough had any m»ncy to spare.

ANNUAL REVIEW. The bahmce-sheet showed revenue for the year of £9l Os Od in rents sind grazing fees, and a balance ef £ls 7s 7(1, had bean br9iij;ni forward from tlie previous .Tear. BxyeiWiture totalled -£ll3 13« (id, o.f which £SB Ok Bil w,as for wages. In the course of the statutory report appeared, the following, passages: — "Permanent improvements existing.— About five and a half miles of fencing. Fifteen acres of plantations, PooibKll and hookey grounds. Suspension bridge, bridge, seats, paths and croquet lawns.

What Domain is used for. —Victoria Park: Cricket, football, croquet, sports, ; etc. King Edward Park: Hockey, -band concerts, picnics and promenades. Other ' parts arc let for grazing purposes. Portions leased. —The area of the Domain is SG acres 21 perches, of which 46 acres is leased." Jn moving tlie adoption of the report and balance-sheet Mr. Kn'kwood said that in Bome quarters the efforts of the Board were belittled; but he thought that when it was considered that the Board had 86 acres of reserves and 5 1 /. miles of fencing under its control it would be found that the Board had got good value for the money expended. He thought much more money might have been spqnt without getting similar results. It had been suggested that stone should be taken from the river in King Edward Park between the suspension bridge and Brecon road, but the Board had always objected to such a proposal. In years to come it was possible that the stretch in- question would he the only one in which there would be any stone. If the stone were removed it would take all the beauty from the river.

Mr. Penn supported the latter remark, saying that in some places hundreds of pounds were spent In placing boulders in park streams and in making artificial cascades. Here they had them, and some people would strip the stones from the river! He knew of recognised beauty spots in Wales where the central feature was a boulder-strewn stream very similar to the stretch of the Patea river within King Edward Park. Eight sticks of dark Havelock tobacco for (is; eight sticks of Derby, fis; eight 2oz tins Havelock, 7s fid; eight 2oz tins Derby, 7s (kl. These are specimen prices from Stan. Sharp's stock of smokers' requisites. Next Bellringer's, Stratford. A gift to please those yoa 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 "The Kash" is the best place in Stratford for men to supply their clothing and mercery wants. Quality and price tell their own unequalled story in faror of the store. ~