STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.; Stratford, Yesterday. Mr. Clias. Bayly left by the mail train this morning for Wellington, en route for England, via Sydney. Many friends were at the station to say good-bye, and all hoped that he would return safe, and sound, and with a V.C. The annual meeting of the Fire Brigade takes place this evening. The annual school examinations of the Stratford District High School starts to-morrow. Stratford's farewell to the boys leaving with the next reinforcements took place last night, and despite the wet weather a very large crowd were present to say good-bye. The men fell in at the drill hall, and headed by the iPipe Band marched to the Post Office, where his Worship the Mayor and Mr. J. T. Hornsby j M.'P., addressed them. Amid cheers and good wishes they marched to the station and there entrained by the special troop train. The farewell was certainly the brightest that has taken place from Stratford. The shops were all lit up, and flags were flying at the station gates. The arrangements 011 this occasion were all that could be desired, and reflected credit on'the stationmaster, Mr. R. M. Prattie, and his staff.

The Municipal Band has had its ranks depleted by the bandsmen leafing for the front, till it is now only possible to get a "scratch" band together. However, Conductor Marshall has n team of fifteen beginners in hand, and he has great hopes of bringing the band up to the state of efficiency again. The weather since Sunday has been very boisterous. To-day it is like one of the coldest winter's day, with rain and hail, and fires are again required to keep oneeelf warm. Old Egmont has quite a large quantity of snow, right down to the Mountain House. One tiling farmers are thankful for, and that is that the grass has got a good start and the present cold weather should not affect' it very much. Mr. J. T, Homsby, M.P., accompanied by Messrs. R. Masters and E. Jackson paid a visit to the Ngaere factory this morning.

Mrs. Geo. Sangster and Co. report a record day's business at the Patriotic Mart sale on Saturday last, resulting in the Wounded Soldiers' Fund benefiting by the handsome sum of £64 lis 2%d, after paying all expenses in connection therewith. The organisers wish to thank all those who contributed produce, also those who kindly assisted during .the day. A bag of flour donated by Mrs. W. A. Hewitt, and raffled during the evening, realised the sum of £9 16s, and was won by Mr. G. H. Steele, iPuniwhakau. The organisers also wish to specially thank Mrs. Owen McAloon, Te VVera, for her donation 'of a steer, which was offered at the tf.Z. Loan Company's Te Wera auction sale on Friday last, also those who so generously bought and reoffered the steer for the benefit of the fund. The sale of this animal resulted in a substantial increase to the fund, amounting to £33, and'full particulars of the various purchasers will be published later on. Mr. V. Smith also donated a sheep, which was killed at the abattoirs, cut up by Mr. T. 1). Colson, and Bold at full market values. Mr. T. D. Colson also donated a leg of mutton for the guessing competition, the correct weight of same being guessed by two competitors, Mrs. Brooking and Mr. W. H. Kelly, who therefore divided the prize.