STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 216, 12 March 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

PROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTER. o;liee and Job Printing Works: York Chambers (upstairs) Telephone No. 113.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held oil Tuesday evening. Present: Messrs J. B. Richards (president), P. Thomson, R. Masters, W. I'. liirkwood, 1). J. Malone and A. F. Grant. RAILWAY MATTERS. A letter was read from Mr. Hine, member for the district, suggesting that a deputation should meet the Minister of Railways on Thursday, 19th inst., and discuss railway matters. On the motion of Mr. Kirkwood it was decided that a deputation of representatives from the Stratford Borough Council, the County Council, the Whangamomona County Council, and Kaponga district meet the Minister of Railways relative to matters in the interests of the district. On the niut.ion of Mr. Masters it was decided that the Railway Department be urged to take over the Kohuratahi section of the Stratford-Ohura railway as early as possible. It was also decided to advocate the more punctual running of the ferry service, so as to ensure connection with the Wcllinglon-Xcw Plymouth express. It was further decided that' the secretary of the Chamber accompany the deputation to the Minister. The Minister's attention is to be drawn to the inconvenient position of the crossing pointa at Stratford station, and to the necessity for lengthening the platform. MAILS AND TELEPHONES. Tiie Taranaki Chamber wrote complying with the request to co-operate with . the Stratford Chamber relative to the southern mails. A letter was received from the Minister, relative to the request for extension of the telephone line from Tahora to Tatu, ana stating that he regretted it could not be complied with. The president said the reply was very unsatisfactory, as the line in question was more important than any other leading to Auckland. He advocated further pressure being brought on the Minister in order to obtain the much needed extension, and he suggested obtaining the co-operation of the Wliangamomona and Ohura County Councils in this endeavor. Eventually the ma.tter was left in the hands of the chairman and secretary for their report to the next meeting of the Chamber. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. A letter was read from the Mines Department, stating that a geological survey of the whole of Taranaki would involve the expenditure of thousands, but if there was any Bpecial part of the district for which a survey was specially required it would receive attention. It would be some time before a survey of the whole of Taranaki was made. Mr. Thomson stated that what was

wanted was a survey of the Whangamomona and Oliura districts, particularly as to locating coal, and it was decided to agk for a survey to that end. RAILWAY FREIGHTS. A circular letter was read from the Auckland Provincial Industrial Association, asking for the Chamber's co-op-eration in the endeavor to secure cheap railway freights for short ends of timber.—lt was decided t» forward a copy of the letter to the Egniont Box Company. The Wellington Chamber wrote forwarding a copy of"an address given by the vice-president of that chamber relative to a revision of the railway tariff, and asking co-operation with the chamber in protesting against the use of the railways for protective purposes. The president mentioned the case of imported timber, which had to pay an extra tariff on tho railways. This particularly affected timber used for bridge work. Mr. Masters mentioned the heavy charge for carriage of benzine, which ■was fld a caso dearer (from Wellington to Stratford) than kerosene. It was decided to endorse the action of the Wellington Chamber, and to cooperate with that body in its action relative to the amendment-of the railway tariff for carriage of goods and the removal of existing anomalies. THE OHURA. The president read a copy of the letter sen.t on behalf of the Chamber to Mr. Meredith, chairman of the Ohura Settle™' Association, thanking- tho settlers for the hospitality and good feeling extended to the members of the Chamber on their recent visit. The president added that there was no doubt the visit had been productive of much good, both in removing misconceptions and making good friends who would probably have business connections with ! Stratford. A letter was read from Mr. F. I£. Jones, of Kotare, pointing out that the

j best route for the railway was up the 1 Tangarakau until it struck Me Mangai papa road, bearing west, or north-west ! up that road to the incline, with an ! easy grade to easy country for miles, j past Mt. Messenger, through the Wai- ! iaanga and thence by an easy grade to | Oluira, and on to Te Koura, A considererable saving in cost would bo effected, [ and a lot of suitable country opened | up for\ small settlement, while the eastern route would pass through big | estates which were rough and unsuiti able for small holdings. The route he (suggested would take the line through j the Waro block, which the Chamber had | some years ago urged the Government , to open, and would lead to the middle of the Mokau and Aria districts. He I suggested that the Chamber should inI vestigate the route with the object of | getting a preliminary survey of the line ! he proposed.—The matter was referred | to the President to deal with. | REGISTERED LETTER DELIVERY. I Mr. Kirkwood brought up the ques- ; tion of inconvenience suffered by the | recipients of registered letters by the | evening mail in not being able to obtain | them the same night, and he moved | that a representation be made to the I Department, urging that, registered let- | ters be delivered over the counter bej tween 7 and 8 p.m.—The motion was i carried. I I ■ ' ' j THE MOUNTAIN CLUB I (By Alpenstock). While exploiting the mountain, two I members of the Mountain Club undertook the task of reaching the highest 1 point of the ridge that reaches far into the azure blue of the Heavens on the south aide of the old mountain-house ! site. Dense scrub and other alpine j growth intervened, but nothing daunted, the intrepid explorers fought their I way inch by inch, sometimes balanced 1 on top of the mountain's whiskers, | other times creeping and crawling in . the lizard-infested undergrowth, and time and time again making a speedy I and unpremeditated descent to New | Zealand. After exhibiting much cour- ■ ago and partaking of much laborious toil, the position was won. What a I glorious panorama of forestization was J unveiled to the view. From Bell Block I in the North to Pihatna in the South, i one uninterrupted scenic of Mount Eg- [ mont National Park—a Gauinont, in j fact, at its best; every sliade imagini able of green, restful to the eye and j extending far out into the distance. Huge timber monarcha towered aloft, ■silent sentinels, watchful of the interests of their smaller giants, and far beI yond lay Taranaki, like one vast plain, - the distant townships being easily dis'eeraible, Waitara and Hawera included. To the right lay a sight seldom seen — just one mass of gorges. Gorge after gorge ran in parallel] lines up the moun-tain-side, and met in one stupendous abyss near the Stratford and Dawson Falls track. A path is to be cut through the undergrowth by the member of theStratford Mountain Club at once, so as j to have easy access to this best view- j point hy the week-end. Quite a largo concourse of people wended their way mountainwards last week-end, and, judging by their radiantly happy expressions, old Egmont again successfully performed the duties of "mine host." BERNARD'S PICTURES The greatest appreciation of the new programme was shown last night, the chief item of which was the enthralling drama "Seed of the Fathers," m which Miss Marion Leonard is at her best. Possibly the film which excited j the pulses of the audience to the greater < extent was that depicting ttie latest de- | vices in aviation, and no description would convey an adequate impression of ] this film. It must be seen in order to' be realised. In fact, every item screened j is well worthy of a place in the high- j est class picture show, added to which is. the excellent musical acciimpaniment. The famous colored Biblical drama "The Life of Christ" is to be screened on Friday and Saturday. COMMERCIAL At Mr. Newton King's monthly wool, | skin, and hide sale, held at Stratford . last Tuesday, all classes of produce were in keen demand, prices showing | an all-round advance. Hides were ex- | eeptionallv keen, the demand far exceeding the supply. Cow hides were 1 %d to %d per lb. higher; Ox hides V 2 d I to l%d, and yearlings 2d to2%d higher. Shepskins %d, and full wools advanced %d per lb:, lambs Vl l ' to %d and pelts Id to lVl.d per lb. Good, bright, clean lambs' wool was eagerly sought after |at a decided advance of ] / 2 d per lb, fleece wool being y,d per lb higher. Seedy lambs were in poor demand and hard to quit. "* TOWN HALL PICTURES The attractive programme of pictures I at the above, theatre caused the greatest pleasure to all those who were present, —a goodly number. The drama, "Crini's on the Coast," was beautifully portrayed. "The Girl from Back East" was a story depicting how a woman can have more than two strings to her bow. The picture, "Sports of Indo-Cliina" was a lovely Pathe color. The. "Wreck of the Veronese" was one of grandeur and realism. The "Scenes of Winter in .Moscow" was also splendid. The proprietor wishes to state that lie will be screening Pathe, Gauinont, Warwick, fielig, A.8., Keystone, Lnbin, I Vitagraph, Nordisk, B. and C., Kalem, Film Art, Aquilla, Don Q., and all the , leading makers of the world with an exclusive star twice weekly. All these films come direct from the Anti-Film Combine, who have buyers all over the world. Nothing but the best that can I be procured will be shown at the Town | Hall Pictures. GENERAL NEWS A sale of appropriations in the lirsi • group was held by the Stratford Co-op-i crative Building Society on Tuesday j evening when Mr. F. Arden secured .£3OO, and Mr. Ruthorfurd £l5O. According to the latest statistics )s----1 sued by the Government, the Stratford 1 County contains an area of 301 square miles, a population of 7,865, a capital 'value of £2,000,345, of which £1,457.712 represents improvements. The tot-il

area in cultivation is 101,755 acres, of which 241 were in oats or grain and 35 lin potatoes. The number of sheep is set down as 115,830, horses 3,48!), cattle i 44,405, and pigs 7,859. [ A very successful meeting of the Methodist Band of Hope was held on Tuesday night, when there was a large muster of juveniles, recitations being given by Miss Eva and Mona Brown and Ronald Goodrick. Miss I. Sole and N. Everiss contributed pleasing solos, and several others took part, an interesting programme concluding with an enjoyable temperance dialogue. Your photograph will please them all —some of your friends have been expecting one for a long time—don't be satisfied with one taken years ago. just as you are to-day, in your everyday attire. Having your portrait taken is as pleasant aB an informal call on good friends. Make an appointment to-day with Mr. McAlister, Stratford. Eight sticks of dark llavelock tobacco for 6s; eight sticks of Derby, 6s; eight 2oz tins Havelock, 7s 6d; eight 2oz tins Derby, 7s fid. These are specimen prices from Stan. Sharp's stock of smokers' requisites. Next Bellringe.-'a, Stratford. There is no questioning the faet ihat "The Kash" is the best place in Stratford for men to supply thoir clothiig and mercery wants. Quality and price tell their own unequalled story in faTor of the Btore.