STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) l ' October 30. Tlie Daily News was a much-discussed paper this morning. In the streets small i knots of men gathered and criticised the cable news. The chief topic of conversation was the result of the conscription vote in Australia, and the opinion here is not flattering to the Commonwealth. Apparently it is not altogether the best policy in the world to be a wellwisher to a departing soldier. An instance was recorded here to-day. A prominent business man, learning that a young man was going to the' front, wished him well, and congratulated him on the step. Imagine his consternation when he reecived an epistle from the soldier's mother. She was in a hostile mood right from the moment she started the pen going until she reached the postscript. Amongst other advice tendered to the well-wisher was that he, too, should toe the line and march—probably to Berlin. The cause of the unpleasantness arose through the lad's parents objecting to the boy leaving, but the latter, having reached the age of 20, heard the call and went. The business man, not knowing the hostility in the home-life engendered by the young man's action, evidently "put his foot into it," and trod in places where, had he known the locality, would not have ventured within miles As it is, he is pleased to see the young man moving off to do his duty, but after this, unless an intimate relative, he is not going to do any well-wishing. He will leavt that and the abuse to some other unfortunate.

On Saturday Mr. C. E. James found his stock reduced by one black handbag, which went astray whilst business as usual was going on in other parts of the shop. Mr. James has a politelyworded advertisement in another column in connection with this lag. There were sad circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. ft. McKain on Friday evening. Deceased was recently operated on for varicose veins, and whilst recovering, to pass the weary hours, the patient used to knit. By some means, during her slumbers, one of these needles penetrated her wrist. On Friday evening she became worse, and Dr. 'Paget was summone.l. The medical man did everything possible, but the sufferer gradually sank and died the same evening. The funeral took place The popularity of the deceased was shown by the large attendance of sympathisers who attended the funeral and paid their last respects to her memory. Many mourners came from a considerable distance. The Stratford Town Band hope to hold their annual meeting to-night. The secretary (Mr. George Bradley) hopes the society 'sill escape the fate of the Eltham Band—have to "shut down"— but ne is not too sanguine. The preI sent conductor, Mr. T. Marshall, has sold out his interests here, and is pulling out for a town where he expects to find less moisture—the rainfall was too great for Tom. The band members regret their loss, and appreciate his work on their behalf.

The secretary of the Stratford A. and P. Association, Mr. A. D. Stanley, is a busy man just now. He has to answer a number of calls on various matters. A recent caller was one who thought the genial and energetic A.D.S. was the man to issue orchard permits, or notices. It is a good thing to Know something, but the A. and P. man disclaims any knowledge of post office duties or details. In conversation with a Tariki farmer, the latter informs me that the season generally has been very backward. Feed is not so plentiful as usual for this time of the year, and cattle, pigs, etc., are hardly showing the. condition farmer? would like to see.