STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Stratford, May 1.

On Saturday evening the members of tile Rifle and Egmont Clubs met in the Egmont Club's premises to bid farewell to Tr. E. Broeklebank and Privates Burmeater and Chadwick, who are leaving with the next reinforcements. Mr. Campbell Jackson, on behalf of the Stifle Club, said that while they regretted the temporary absence of their secretary, Mr. Broeklebank, they all wished liim a safe return. He had brought the club to a standard that few Taranaki clubs could better, having a membership of 90. On behalf of the club he presented Mr. Broeklebank with a wristlet watch. Hi 3 Worship the Mayor expresed his pleasure at being present on such an occasion, and on behalf of the people of Stratford he wished the departing guests a safe voyage and return. He complimented the Egmont Club on the number of members they had sent to the front. Messrs E. Jackson and R. Masters referred to the amount of work given gratuitously to the A. and 'P. Association by Mr. Broeklebank, and the loss the Association would sustain during his absence. Messrs A. Mackay 'and McMahon also spoke, and Messrs Broeklebank, Bnrmester, and Chadwick returned thanks.

The local Patriotic Committee -have allowed Mrs. Dewar, whose case was •ventilated at the Rugby Union annual meeting, 7s 6d a week to augnient the 'pension she is receiving from the Government.

The net amount received from Soldiers' Day is £723, and this must be considered very satisfactory. The accommodation provided on the 4.20 p.m. train from New Plymouth, especially on Saturdays, is simply a disgrace to the Department. The secondclass accommodation last Saturday was overcrowded, and one of the carriages was in darkness, the lights having gone out a few miles from New Plymouth. Then the class of carriages provided is mostly of the oil obsolete stage, and would not be tolerated on any other section. fhere were, more loud complaints on reaching Inglewood, of passengers being turned out of the carriages because they were being shunt»d oft there. Surely the Department could have easily informed passengers before they boarded the carriages that they were being taken off at Inglewood, and so 'save women with small children the annoyance of having to find a seat in another part of the train. If the Department wishes to popularise the week-end tiips it should give the public the ordinary comfort they are asked to pay for. It is a matter that the New •Plymouth Chamber of Commerce may we'll take up and see rectified.