STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 53, 23 July 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTER. Office and Job Piinting Works: York Chambers (upstairs) Telephone No. 113.

STRATFORD SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the committee was held on Tuesday evening, Mr. P. Skoglund presiding over a full attendance of members. The chairman reported that the Board's foreman would attend to the draining in the playground. The Board's inspectors reported that the records were kept satisfactorily and the attendance had' been very good. During 1913 eleven pupils gained firstclass certificates for regular attendance and 34 second-class certificates. The order, discipline and tone were very good, and the grounds were in a satisfactory condition. The marks allotted for beautifying the school grounds totalled 79 out of a possible 100. Correspondence was read relative to the Education Bill.

The chairman pointed out that the subject was likely to affect Taranaki very considerably, as it was proposed to merge the Taranaki Education Board into that of Wanganui. There had been a meeting at New Plymouth to protest against the proposal, and Stratford ought to take similar action. He considered that for the last twelve years the Taranaki Education Board had done excellent work, and could well hold its vown as compared with other boards, and was therefore entitled to be retained. He moved—"That the Mayor be requested to call a public meeting to protest against the abolition of the Taranaki Board." Mr. Smart seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. McMillan moved that a committee consisting of the chairman, Mr. Smart and the secretary be set up to obtain information to place before the meeting, and to act in conjunction with Mr. R. Masters, the member of the Board for the district. Mr. Jackson considered it would be unjust to Taranaki to' have its educational business administered at Wanganui.

The chairman pointed out that all the bark block schools would suffer, as they would not get the same attention under the Wanganui Hoard. The motion was carried. A letter was read ;'rom the Taranaki School Committees' Association asking the Stratford Committee to affiliate. Mr. Smart moved that the letter be referred to the cliairman, Mr. McMillan and the secretary to report-upon at next meeting.—The motion was carried. The question of increasing the caretaker's salary was discussed, the committee to whom the matter was referred reporting that they liad no recommendation to make. On the motion of Mr. Smart, it. was decided to discontinue the present bonus of £lO and to increase the caretaker's salary by £"2f> a year. The Visiting Committee reported on tte state of the school and grounds. The chairman, in reply to a question, stated that playing hockey in the grounds had been stopped. Accounts were passed for payment and tic committee adjourned.

GENERAL. ThcTe has been quite a large influx of Government officials at Stratford tliis week, representing the Public Works, Postal and Railway Departments. The Bite of the new Post Office was one of the matters dealt with. Tenders arc being called by Mr. J. D. Healy, architect, for a new building on the south side of the bridge. j The talented orchestra which has been j formed by members of the Egmont Club j has been doing good practice work late- ; ly, and on Friday evening will give a i delightful performance at the Club, judg- j ing by the programme that lias been I selected. A prominent object in Messrs Mullen | and Marshall's window just .now is the challenge shield presented by Mr. R. ( Masters for competition by the Eastern ; district football teams.. j Brooms appear to be very expensive item of school administration. At the I meeting of the School Committee on j Tuesday it was stated that two brooms costing 23s Od each had been procured i after the Christmas holidays, but were ] now worn out. The members were sorely puzzled over the matter, and left ; the visiting committee to solve the . problem. . Master Fred. P.rake. of Stratford, j gained the first prize and championship ; for Skye terriers at the Huntly Show. j A social and dance is to be held at j Stanley road on behalf of the Country Girl candidate for Carnival Queen. The first count of votes for Carnival Queen takes place to-morrow (Friday), and tickets should reaeli the scrutineer bv f* a.m. on that day. 'At the Huntlv dog show Mr. McMillan, of Stratford, took the first prize and special trophy for the best Airedale in the show. With reference, to the usefulness of Airedales for police work, the Inspector of Constabulary in the North qf England states that in the. Kortli Riding of Yorkshire about 20 per cent of the force are permitted to keep and use their own dogs, Which are carefully trained for the work. They are useful on night patrol, both for protection and companionship, and a_ help to constables, especially on dark nights, in bringing to notice things that otherwise might escape them. It is added that Airedale terriers have also for some time been used by the police in the outlving parts of Liverpool, and have proved to be of value. . There is at the present time a keen demand for good dairy farms in the Stratford district, and the well-known firm of C. and E. Jackson have had » rno-t, successful season, bavim; omuig the last week sold property to the va ue of over .tSfI.MO. making a total value of properties that have passed Invoiiuii their hands during the iast four months of over £IIO.OOO. The firm undertakes to finance bnvers of farms through them for stock at C per eent. interest, whic.i is much appreciated, as the large turn„ver proves. We wish the Messrs .lackson continued success.

Your photofrrapli will please thorn nil _=ome of your friend linve l.«™ expect in" on' for a Ion" time—<i"r. tif =ati<lied with one taken years afro. Send them a fresh portrait, icst as you are to-dav, in your everyday nT..ire. Having war portrait taken is as pleasant as an informal call on good >" oll '' 3 - Make an appointment U-ilay vi'h -Mr 1 McAllister. Stratford