STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD.

OCT TO THE FRONT, • (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Saturday, Last night the settlers at Cardiff gave a farewell send off to the boys residing in that district, who are leaving with the next reinforcements. Close on one hundred people were presc/t. The chair ■was oec-upied iby Mr. O. A. Marehant, and after the usual loyal toasts had been drunk the chairman proposed the toast of the evening: "Oiu- Guests." He referred to the pleasure it gave them to honor .Messrs. W. Belcher, S. Hancock and Searley, who were leaving to do their ibit for the Empire. He 'hoped they would all come back safe and sound, and felt sure they would do their best to uphold the British Hag. Tho toast was drunk -with musical honors, and then songs and recitations whilcd away a pleasant evening GENERAL.

Mr. F. Lundon has just completed five waggons for the Te Roti-Opunake line. Each waggon holds three yards of earth, and they are to be used in connection with tho steam navvy in making the new line.

Lieutenant Gray, in proposing the •health of the Cardiff Home Dtfcnee Corps last evening, said lie. wished io .compliment the corps on the way the men had attended parades, and remarked that the Stratford Home Defence Corps had not taken the matter up in the same spirit as Cardiff had. Cardiff had kept the corps together by instituting leitims and ride shooting. Stratford had start ed with a parade roll of 1">0 strong, but it h(id gradually dwindled down till, at times, there Avero scarcely twenty at parade. The men had cvidem'.v' got tired of attending parades; they had certainly not shown the spirit of British character, and he thought it was no credit to the corps. S.U'eiy ;t.:, members could give an hour er more lo attend parades. Cardiff had led the way, and .Stratford was not following in its footsteps. Lieutenant Wilson, at the Cardiff send off, regretted that the goud work that the ladies of this district had carried ont at tiie beginning of the war. in Making comforts for the men ni tie front, had not been kept up. lie said tile n.en fighting greatly appreciated the gifts, and lie suggested that 'adios' gm'ds should be formed tlirong'io'it the province, and gifts, such as socks, nwfl'len. anil so forth, lie made up and sent to our boys at frequent intervals. W'intrr is coming 011, and the articles were badly needed. Jt is hoped that the suggestion will he carried out. Tiie Borough Council will peel; oil Monday night, and Mr. N. .T. King will receive a presentation at the meeting on his retirement from municipal life.