STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Corerspondent). We hear so much about men being' required to enlist at once, and the way some who have enlisted are treated by the Defence authorities, that one wonders whether the Department really do require the men. If the treatment meted out to an Inglewood man is an example is it any wonder men will not enlist 1 The Inglewood man referral to enlisted six weeks ago, was passed by the doctor as first-class, and lie sent in his papers, and up to last S> •■■ilay had not received any word from t; Jepartment. Further, the area officer in that town telephoned the Hawera office (so my informant says), but could get no satisfaction. Either the district office at Hawera is ! under-staffed, or so bound up with red tape that it does not think it worth while to extend th'e recruit the ordinary courtesy of a reply to his application. The town is full o; rumors oF a split in the camp of the Ladies' Patriotic Committee. Last Saturday two patriotic markets were in full .swiugr. one in opposition to the other. On looking into one of the markets on Saturday "your own'' was confronted with an authority signed by his Worship the Mayor, and was particularly requested to see if the other market had got authority to solicit contributions. The town is not concerned with the rights and wrongs of the quarrel, but in the interests or all the committee should pull together, especially at a time like this, when money ig so badly needed for patriotic purposes, and should remember that unity is strength.

Last Saturday the Misses Skoglund disposed of £l3 worth of tickets in connection with a Christmas hamper for ■Christmas dinner. Mr. Cato proved the winner. The proceeds have been handed to the Belgian Relief Committee, with a request that the money be devoted to the relief of the gallant Serbians.

Last Saturday afternoon, as Mis. <\iul Miss Kilsby, of the Surrey road, were driving to their Home from Stratford. one of the wheeds of the trap came off just past the Waipiiku station, and the horses started to kick. Fortunately he occupants managed to get clear of the trap, and Mr. Young, who was motoring from Inglewood, kindly drove'the ladies home. The Stratford Domain Board met on Monday afternoon in connection with the application of the Tonins Ciub to grant three more .courts on Victoria Park. It was decided: That the Tennis Club he permitted, to extend their courts 100 ft west from the present tennis courts on the ground granted and held by the Hockey Club, on the following conditions —That the Tennis Club will at their own expense and to the satisfaction of the Board, level, grass (in the proper season) and make fit to play a further 100 ft west the full width of the hockey ground, and that they deposit the sum of £2O, and erect styles where directed bv the Board. That the Fire Brigade be granted a strip ,'tOft wide running from east to west, partly levelled, and have prior right as against other applicants during the pleasure of the Board.

The local Defence Office is to be connected by telephone. This will prove a great convenience to the public doing business with the office.

His Worship the Mayor is calling a meeting to discuss the Serbian Relief Fund on Thursday night. At the croquet green on Monday, there was a very large attendance of members to bid farewell to Mrs. F. Dunlop, who is leaving Stratford to reside in Wellington. Mrs Dingle (president), on behalf of the club, presented Mrs. Dunlop with a ladies' dressing case, and wished her the best of luck in her new sphere. Mrs. T. Reader received word yesterday that her father, Mr. \V. Baker, one of the earliest settlers in Canterbury had died suddenly in Christchurch.