STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 206, 28 February 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTER,

Office anil Job Printing Works: York Chambers (upstairs) Telephone No, 113.

AN APPRECIATION PRAISE FOR THE MOL'XTAIX CLl'I!. Mr. 11. G. Ell, M.P., is an enthusiast in the matter of {preserving native bush and tile conservation of all public recreation ami scenic reserves, lie warmly approves of the formation .of the Stratford Mountain Club, as is nhowii [ by the following letter lie lias forwarded to Mr. J. A Uichards, the promoter of the club: Dear Sir, — I was very pleased to see by a report which ,ip. pcared in the Lyttrlton Times that you have been successful in organising a Mountain Club, and that one of the objects of the Ciuh is to preserve the #ora and fauna of Mount Egmont Xational Park. I had the pleasure of visiting this reserve, through the kindness of Mr. Wilkinson, M.l\ I had no liilea that the forest, especially the lower reaches of the reserve, was so magnificent. It is truly a wonderful sight, and I can quite understand your anxiety to (lo all that you can in the direction of protecting it from j encroachment; and I fear that there is every necessity for vigilance on the part of your Association, as there are still people who are disposed to regard reserves as of little value to tile country. I congratulate you upon the formation of your society, and although I live far away from Taranaki, I shall be glad to hear from time to time of the work which your club has taken in hand. To one who conies from a treeless district—l speak of treeless, of course, in connection with the natural forests—it was a pitiful sight to travel over scores of miles of country formerly covered with magnificent forest, without seeing a reserve of even five acres. I had the opportunity of visiting a reserve near Inglewood—a beau-' tiful spot. It was teeming with bird life. We counted close on 30 tuis on one tree, and saw them flying about in all directions. There were other kinds of birds also in the reserve, which is situated on the bank of a river. It was incredible to me that some of the people of the district asked the Government to lift the reservation and turn the reserve into a small dairy farm. I may add that it has been a reserve since 1892. There are trees on the. reserve, which cannot be less than 1500 years' old. Such ancient giants would be highly prized if they were in England, or in many of the older countries of Europe. But here they seem to be regarded in the light of their value to the sawmiller, for I saw several of the trees marked with the Government stamp. However, T communicated with •Mr. Massey by telegram, and he has promised me to look into the matter when he returns to Wellington. It is true that Inglewood is a long way from Stratford. Still, I have no doubt that any effort that is made to preserve the small areas of forest growing in different parts of Taranaki, will meetwitli your sympathy. Again wishing you success, and congratulating you ulpon the success of your efforts."

ESSAY COMPETITIONS Mr. 1!. (!. Wlietter. Education Board Inspector, has given his decision in the Stratford A. nid'T. Association's essay competition, the subject being the l!H;i Spring Show. The award in "A" section, with noms-de-plume, are as follows: —"Periwinkle," Doroen Hammond, Stratford, 1: "Pickwick," C. McAlistcr. Stratford, 2; "Brutus," W. T. Dobson; "Peter Simple," Frank Grant; "Joan of Arc," J. E. Boon. In the "B" section "Columbine," and "Florence Xightingale" are first and second respectively, but their names are not available till to-day.

NEW LAND AGENCY 'Mr. W. (!. Fargie, who lias fanned land in the Whangainomona and Olmra districts for over eight years, and well known in the district, lias opened a land agency in York Chambers, Stratford. Mr. Fargie has a knowledge of every section of the country from Douglas up to the King Country, and should thus lie well iguuliflod to advise intending investors in tfie great land development (propositions "out east," whilst his knowledge of Taranaki generally should prove, of value, to those seeking his advice or assistance in regard I o land.

"HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE The present series of pictures at His Majesty's Theatre is certainly a series not to be missed. Vitagraph's magnificent IKIOOft. star drama ''Prince of Evil," is a powerful society drama, richly dressed and splendidly acted by ilie world's beat picture actors. It is a strong appealing story, showing the triumph of virtue over villanr. "Hunting Small and Big fiame in the East" js an intensely interesting film. Then there is the "Latest '.Pathe Gazette."' which is always worth the iprice of admission. "'Needs of Wealth." is one of Luhin's besi dramas. "Tron and Steel Industry" i> an educational picture well worth seeing, and the Lunch of comics is headed by Vitagraph's rib-litir?fmg comedy "The 'Tables Turned."

GENERAL NEWS -Messrs. K. Ma.slers (memlicr of the r l aranaki :ilinn Hoard) and Mr. J. W. McMillan (member of the Stratford School Committee) met the Hon. Minister for Education at Stratford on Friday morning in reference to the necessity for enlarging the school plavground. Advantage was taken of I lie late arrival of liie south train—even slow trains have their uses at times (o make a, hurp"d inspection of the school grounds and residence. There was the usual crop yesterday ot liy-1.-nv oases. The two-light by-law with regard to whiclcN still represents a share of Hie inspector's harvest. There is room for the ivii'Mr of his vigilance with regard to .--tray stock. Messrs. Arthur Xondhitm (Douglas). Mr. Arthur .1. Sfockley (Kiore). and •Mr. Edward Walter (Douglas), have been gazetted .Indices of tile Peace, Joseph Sharro:'!: (Mr. Thomson) sued J. B. Murray (Mr. Rulherfiird) at the t ourt yesterday tor wages on account of work done in concreting Mr. Newton King's yards at Douglas. The ease was only part heard when the Court adjourn ml. Rev. Mr. Pattison left Stratford on Thursday morning for Gisborne, where he will attend the funeral of his brother-in-law, Mr, R. <!. lilack, Mr.

Black was mustering on his farm at I'akowai last week when ho and the horse were precipitated over a dill', death resulting froiL injuries received. Hanks Peninsula (people in the district will regret to learn of the fatality, Mr. Black being known to them as a son of Mr. G. .). Black. formerly of Akaroa. Mr. C. Massey, manager of the Bank of Australasia at Stratford, left for Auckland last evening, having been hurriedly called owing to the serious illness of one of his children. Judgment by default was given in the following cases at the S.M. Court yesterday: Arthur James Stockley v. Bnnginui .£9, costs £1 13s fid; Cash Tailoring Co. v. James Dunn, £i lis, costs 15s; Caroline Wing Kce v. J, W. Chadwick £2 15s Hid. costs 14s; John Pennington v. Victor lievins, £1 4s Ad, costs 13s; Mary Ryan, v Charles Millen. £0 ss, costs .til 3s Od.

At the S.M. Court yesterday, Clil'orA Tanner was fined £1 and 7s costs on a charge of failing to attend Senior Cadet drill. Sergeant-Major Collins stated that defendant had done no training since last May. The S.M. fixed no default, but advised the SergeantMajor to apply at once for ail attachment order if default was made in payment. W. E. Porter whs fined 60s, with costs 7s, for failing to attend drill of H Company. Major Collins said defendant was transferred from the mounted squadron in September last, but had done 110 infantry drill and had been convicted for failing to attend the last camp. A default of three .weeks' military detention was fixed, the S.M. repeating his remarks about the attachment order.

Joseph Sliarrocli was fined 40* and costs yeterday for neglect to cut ragwort on his land at the proper time. Dcslpite heavy resignations during the' year, the membership of the Egmont Club has increased by 22, and now stands at 108. ,

At the S.M. Court yesterday Charles Gooch (Mr. Spratt) proceeded against Anton Zurcher (Mr. Ruthcrfurd) for the recovery of. a ! dog, or, failing possession of the dog, the sum of £SO. The plaintiff failed to prove that defendant had had the animal, and was non-suited, the S.M. remarking that the similar looks of two dogs had apparently caused confusion. Costs amounting to £8 l.'is Ad were allowed.

Your photograph will please them all , —some of your friunds have been expecting one for a long time —don't be .satisfied with on taken years ago, just .as you are to-day, in your everyday .attire. Having your portrait taken is as pleasant as an informal call on good friends. Maxe an appointment to-day with Mr. McAlistcr, Stratford. Eight sticks of dark Ilavelock tobacco for 6s; eight sticks of Dcrbv. fis: eight 2oz tins Ilavelock, 7s 6d; eight 2oz tin? Derby, 7s fid. These are specimen prices from Stan. Sharp's stock of smokers' requisites. Next Bellringer's, Stratford. There is no questioning the fact that "The Kash" is the best place in Stratford for men to supply tlieir clothing and mercery wants. Quality and price tell their own unequalled story in favor of the store.