STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(Frpgi Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Yesterday, j The "Hard Up Social," held in connection with the Eire Brigade's efforts to raise funds for the annual demonstration, to be held at Stratford, was quite the most successful function of its kind that has been held here. All the dancers had to wear masks and hard up dresses, and some were very good indeed. It would be impossible to give a list of these, but the two men dressed as Indians were certainly the best. The I£aponga Band, under Conductor Wood, a fine rendering of "Maritana," and W4S heartily applauded at its conelusion. The "Hard Times Orchestra" was quite a funny and laughable affair. The orchestra all belonged to tlio Kaponga Band, and consisted of an accordion, tin whistles, bones, violin, cymbals,' drums, and coins shaken in bottles, The time they kept and the mtisic they produced from these articles was appreciated by the dancers, while the antics of the conductor kept th» audience in roars of laughter. The supper was of the 'hard time" sort, and consisted of biscuits and water. The public, lam pleased to say, were present in large numbers, a'id showed by their presence that they appreciated the brigade's readiness at all times to risk their life for those unfortunate c-nough to have a fire. The funds should be considerably increased after last night's function. Mr. Roy Foden, late of Messrs Halliwell and Thomson's Btaff, was in Stratford yesterday from Rangiotu. Mr. Foden's parents reside at Hawera, and have a family of five boys, three of whom are already in camp training for the front, a fourth has enlisted and is waiting to be called up, while the fifth is a lad going to school, and is rather annoyed that he is too young to follow I in his brothers' footsteps. The Lowgart'h Dairy Company have consigned their output to Messrs Henry Lane and Co., and not Henry Hane and Co., as mentioned in to-day's issue. His Worship Mr. W. G, Kendrick delivered his decision this morning in the collision case, Watkins v. Donald. Hej gave judgment for plaintiff for £2O, value of horse destroyed, £2 2s veterinary services, £2 general damage, witness' expenses £3 13s, and solicitor's fees £2 12s, a total of £32 12s. The Railway Department have fenced in the section that the premises formerly occupied by Mr. Mercer were built on. The department is certainly not to be complimented on the fence they have erected. It is simply of post and wire, and looks unsightly. Seeing that the Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce agitated for the department to take over the section, it is hoped that both these bodies will see that some practical use is made of it, and not let it remain as at present, an eyesore to the town.

Where is the water cart? This was the cry of shopkeepers this morning. Dust was blowing in clouds, but no sign of the water cart. It is a pity the council authorities do not bring the cart out when it is required. The damage to traders' goods must be considerable, and they are indeed entitled to a little consideration from the borough.