STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 210, 5 March 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

FliOM OUE RESIDENT REPORTER. Office and Job Printing Works: York Chambers (upstairs) Telephone No. 113.

STEATFORD RIFLE CLUB A trophy shoot will he held to-day on the Stratford Rillo Chb range, ton shots at 500 and GOO yards. Handicaps are as follow:—N. Thorpe srr., C. Jackson scr, C. Speck scr, A. Sangster 1, Wickliam 2, A. Speck i, E. Broeklebank 2, Ferguson 5, Ritchie.s, Sangster 0, Voylc (i, McMahon (1, ;Ilopson fi, Mitchell 7, H. Voyle 7, Gollop 7, W. BrcJdebank 7, Mackay 7, Rutherford S, Garlick 8, Nweland S. Ardcn 10, Pepperell 20. THE TRAIN SERVICE The mixed trains have been exceptionally heavy of late, and the timetable has faded away into a thing- of dim remembrance as far as the train service is concerned. A globe-trotter wrote recently in complimentary terms concerning the punctuality of the Now Zealand, trains, but it is not on record that he travelled by the "ordinary" passenger trains on the Taranaki section. The engines are being asked to do too much, and either more engines or more powerful engines are needed to enable ' the Department to cope with the greatly-increased goods traffic on this section. THE HORTICULTURAL SHOW OWNING TO-DAY. The annual autumn show of the Stratford Horticultural Society opens to-day in the Town Hall, and promises to be the usual success. There are capital entries in the various sections, and it is expected there will be a lovely display , of cut blooms. Pot plants will assist greatly in the general effect. Much interest centres in the trophy competi : tions for sweet pea and dahlia growers. The pride of the kitchen wardens of tte borough and district will be competing in the vegetable section, and here the competition is keen. Patrons will be regaled with a fine programme of music from the Egmont Club orchestra. Our Horticultural Society is fortunate in "oasessing a secretary of the capacity of Mr Cato, who has all the arrangements for the show well in hand

BERNARD'S PICTURES The instantaneous success last night of the magnificent wild animal drama, "A Triumph of Strength," augurs well for the second production this evening. The drama is splendidly staged in every respect, and the audience was quick to appreciate the spirit of danger and of daring on the part of the principals. The lions are very fine specimens. There are numerous other fine sneetacular films, and a couple of -very interesting scenics. Whilst the comics arc an unusually good lot. The third change for the week will he screened to-morrow (Friday) evening, and picture patrons may look forward to something extra special.

FIRE BRIGADE CARNIVAL NEXT THURSDAY. Townspeople are working loyally ari'l •hard to make a success of next week'* carnival and fete in aid of the Stratford Fire Brigade funds. Our Brigade is a voluntary organisation. The men who give their time to training, and who, as the result of their training, are able to cope with outbreaks- of fire, receive neither fee nor reward. They are liable to service at all hours of the night and day, and in all weathers. The least we can do for them is to see that they" are properly equipped for their arduous and dangerous work. The brigade needs more plant, and it is to enable this to be purchased that this monster carnival and fete is being arranged. The attractions include a bah" show, decorated vehicle competitions, motor-cycle, pedestrian, and equestrian events. Apart from the set programme there are scores of amusements for one and all. At night there will he a procession, and a concert i\ the Town Hall.

PRESENTATION TO MR. T. 0. FOOKES. Mr. T. (,'. Fookes, on the eve of his departure to England on a trip for the benefit of his .health, was presented by a representative gathering of the citizens with a pair of binocular* and a gold bangle for Mrs. Fookes. Tlie Mayor., who presided, said the citizens had decided that they could not let Mr. Fookes depart without doing something to show their respect for one of the oldest residents of the town. Sincecoming to the town Mr. Fookes had taken a great interest in its affairs, and lie was one of those who had never faltered in the work of helping the town and district. He (the Mayor) had lirst met Mr. Fookes when he was an articled clerk for a big legal firm in Wanganui, and- he was pleased on coming to Stratford to (ind Mr. Fookes here. Mr. Fookes could properly be called one of the pioneer townsmen. lie had not onlv had faith in the town, Iml had acted up to that faith and remained in Stratford. While he had been acting as Borough Solicitor, Mr. Fookes had had the confidence of everybody with whom he fame in contact, and the speaker believed that Mr. Fookes had not made better friends than among the members of bis own profession, whom it was pleasant to see there that night in such numbers. Addressing- Mr. Fookes the Mayor said: "It gives me great p!c:iurc to make this presentation as a token of the esteem in which you are held by the people of the town. 1 sincerely hope that you and Mrs Fookes will have a pleasant voyage. I am sure tin- goodwill in evidence to-night will be equally in evidence on >our return." (Applause). Mr. R. Spence said he desired to gpeak of Mr. Fookes professionally, and most men desired to hear the opinion of others in their profession. It was often said that it was hard to find an honest lawyer, but Mr. Fookes was not only an honest lawyer, but an ultrahonest lawyer and a ood man in his profession. That was not an idle statement but an honest conviction after thirteen years' experience of him. Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P., said Mr. Fookes had watched the town grow from its infancy, and had taken his part in every

walk of municipal life, doing everything possible for the advancement of the town and district. Kveryhody knew how .Mr. Fookes encouraged the Stratford football team. It was easy to understand the strain there must lie on a man of Mr. Fookes' energy—he put his whole heart into anything on which lie was engaged. Dr. Paget said the trip Mr. Fookes was taking was highly necessary to recuperate his health. Everybody knew him as a good sportsman and a good townsman, and he (Dr. Paget) knew him as a good friend. Messrs. T. 11. I'enn, Cecil Wright and W. G. Malone also spoke. Mr Fookes, in the course of a reply lasting just upon an hour, entertained his hearers with many an anecdote of early Stratford, and expressed his very hearty thanks for the presentation and good wishes of the citizens.

BOWLING I The following will represent the I Stratford Club in their match with ! (lie Ponsonby players this afternoon on the local green, play to commence, at two o'clock.—Porritt, Dingle. J. .Masters, ./. King (s). ; Ed. Jackson, Edgecombe, McDonald, Sangster (s); Biekcrton, Wright, Sharp, Smart (s); Martin. [Vrni, (ii'o. Jackson. Morison (9). GENERAL NEWS The following new books have been added to the Stratford Public Library: —"Max Carrados" (E. Bramah), -The Business of Life" (Robert Chambers), "Laddie," author of "Freckles" (fi. ,S. Porter), "Mr. Pratt's Patient" (Joseph Lincoln). "Hagar" (Mary Johnson), "The Valley of the Moon" (Jack Loudon), "It Happened in Egypt" ;(j. X. and A. M. Williamson), "Number 13" (Fred White). "The Terms of Surrender" (Louis Tracey), "Julia and I in Canada" (author of Daphine in Paris). "The. Hat Shop" (C. Peel), "Great Days" (Prank Harris), "The Peacock Feather" (Leslie Moore), "The Book of Anna (A. E. Holdsworth), "Dust from the Loom" (E. Noble), "Horace Blake" (Mrs. W. Ward), "Fool of April" ■■(.!. IF. McCarthy), "The Man Upstairs" (P. 0. Wodehouse), "Two Ways of Love" (M Caffyn), "Faith and UnfaHh" (James Blylh), "Mary's Marriage" (E. Bosanquet). •' ■-• • Mr. W. A. Hewitt, agent for the X.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., at Stratford, desires us to' state that it was not the Stratford branch of the business which figured in the list of Mr, J. A. Thompson's creditors. At the school sports the district championship is to be run at 3.20 p.m. After this event, the baths will be open for the girls' sports, to which ladies only will be admitted. The girls' events include swimming, diving,"and life-saving contests. Xo charge will be made for admission.

Mr. E. Masters is president of the T.gmaut Club for the ensuing year. Your photograph will please them all —some of your friends have been expecting one for a long time—don't he satisfied with one 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. Make an appointment to-day with Mr. McAlister, Stratford. Eight sticks of dark Havelork tobacco for 6s; eight sticks of Derby, Gs; eight 203 tinsjlnvelock, 7s (id; eight 2oz tins Derby, "s (id. These are specimen prices from Stan. Sharp's stock of smokers' requisites. Xext Bcllringc;~'s, Stratford. There if no questioning tie fact that "The Kasli" is the best place in Stratford for men to supply their clothing and mercery wonts. Quality and prije tell their own unequalled story in favor of the store.