STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

x THE LATE SHOW. (From Our Own Correspondent). December 4. The parade of stock on the second day was one of the features of the Show. The Jersey bulls that headed the procession were fine types of that strain, and the leader, Mr. Harkness' Rozel Sultan, conducted himself like a Sultan, his two attendants being dragged along. Mr. E. Griffiths must have been pleased at seeing the next two bulls, both magnificent specimens, were from his well-known sire, K.C.B. The New Plymouth breeder, Mr. C. W. Reube, had also reason to feel proud in having the reserve champion in his two-year-old Protection of Meadow Brown. This bull is by Mr. R. J. Linn's Lord Twylish, and since his success at the last New Plymouth Show lias filled into a most typical Jersey. The Holsteins were also worthy of special attention, demonstrating what could be done with care and attention. Some critical judges around the grandstand were not unanimous that the judge's award (King Rose de Kol) was the best bull in the division, some holding that the hindquarters sloped too abruptly for their liking, but, despite this, the King Fayne Segis 11. bull was a worthy representative of a great sire. Mr. W. James, of Corbett Road, iiad the champion eoiv in Segis Galatea, who in two milk-tags on the first day of the show gave 3.8011b. of butter-fat. A cow like that is not met every day, and as Mr. James led his black and white past the stajid the initiated had no difficulty in recognising a cow above the ordinary merit. Mr. Skoglund had the winner ■ of one milking in Betty, a Jersey, who gave milk equal to 1.2501b. of butterfat. Betty's owner had no idea she was of such value, and his win was a popular one, being, unexpected. The Ayrshires, with their small heads and widebranching, skv-pointed horns, also made a fine display, and those partial to that breed had plenty to feast the eyes on in animals owned by Messrs. Hall, Olson Bros., etc. The Feilding exhibitor, Mr. E. Short, had a. fine roan gelding in Seout, who was very successful in many competitions. Mr. •Short will now have another fine roan in Fritz, who changed hands on the second day for £IOO. The Eltham champion has had a long run of victories under the ownership of Mr. J. W. Burke, and, with Scout, the two roans will form a formidable pair ill any show-ring.. Mrs. J. 10. Anderson, of Whangamomona, who, before her marriage, was a prominent rider at many show competitions, proved she still knew something about the game. She had a nice stamp oT pony in Mickey, and obtained several r?d ribbons. Some of the unsuccessful competitors hardly did justice to their nominationsSome of the horses were decidedly rough in the coat, and lacked groomage, whilst others were handicapped in ill-fitting collars, etc. In the show ring a horse needs every assistance, and every little attention to detail by rider or driver

is a point along to the prize ribbon. The veteran exhibitor recognises this, and sees to it that everything is in readiness, and his foresight generally lands him there. Moral: When showing a horse, don't let the groomage, the set of the collar, etc., wait till the last. Be prepared some days ahead, and then note the difference when the judge sizes up your nomination with ofhei contestants.

Jri eldsing these notes on the show, it fair to mention the keen interest shown throughout by Mr. Campbell Jackson. He was in charge of the cattle classes, and was "on the run" on both days, seeing the exhibits were ready, and meeting all inquiries, previous to the show he was moving round the Manawatu, Wanganui, and Hawera shows, hunting up exhibitors, and persuading showmen to come this way. An energetic man can accomplish a lot, and it is only fair that Mr. C. Jackson's fine -work in this direction should be duly noted. '•THE DESERT."

To-morrow evening the Town Hall should hold a crowded house, the occasion being the production of the cantata, "The Desert," by the, Hawera Male Choir. The Rev. R. Papakura will sing the tenor songs, the Opunake singer having a very sweet voice. Other soloists are well known and popular on South Taranaki concert platforms. The concerted numbers are also of exceptiona merit. the cantata, the choir will also sing tho well-known numbers, "The Lost cliord,' "Hope," and the ever-favorite -Scotch song, "Robin Adair." Other items include a recital by the Piev. E. O. Blamires of Mr. Asquith's speech at the opening of the war. The orchestral effects should also prove something above the ordinary. All in all, a rare musical treat should be afforded patrons on Wednesday evening. Proceeds go to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund, and the nature of the entertainment should warrant a bumper house. GENERATj.

A meeting of the War Pensions Board was held here on Saturday afternoon. A number of applications from invalided soldiers in this district for renewal of pensions were considered and attended to. A number of people yesterday were interested spectators at the Railway Department strengthening the bridge over the Patea River. With no trains runing, the Department had a clear day. They removed a lot of loose shingle in the vicinity of the pillars of the bridge, and then filled the cavity formed \with large stones ol several c-wt. in weight. To-day the crane was engaged in lowering morn huge boulders to a restingplace near the pillars. These will divert the. river to a channel away from the pillars. During November, fifteen births were recorded and four deaths notilied in Stratford.

Rain fell on .sixteen .lays during November. Tile day 011 which the heaviest rainfall was recorded was on November ,8, when the rain-gauge showed 3.90 inches.

A very old Stratford identity died on Friday evening. Deceased was .Mr. Peter Hancock, who arrived in Stratford in ISP. and had lived here continuously ■ly. f. lie leaves a widow and a family 1 ' twelve. Mr. Hancock, in the early ',-es of the town, took a keen interest

: its progress, and was one of the first icmbers of the Stratford Town Board. ,1c was 03 years of age. The interment rook place in the. Stratford Cemetery this afternoon.

■'One Who Knew Him" (Inglewood) lias handed me a few notes concerning the late Sergeant E. J. Harris, who died of wounds at Dannes Canniers in November. He was one of the first to enlist from Inslewood, leaving with thf»

Main Body by the Arawa. He was one of the party sent to the Suez Canal cn the occasion of the first trouble with the Turks, and also with the first landing party at Gallipoli. He also went en to Cape Helles. A severe illness caused him to lay up at Malta, thence lie went to England in August, 1815, returning to Egypt in January, 1910. He W;is then promoted sergeant, and left with the \'«w Zealanders for France, where ■lie remained until wounded on October 1. "llicfc" took a keen interest in tlie lire brigade, cricket, and lioekev, and was on several. occasions a representative player in hockey matches. Much sympathy is felt for his widowed mother in the sad loss of so bright a life, but she has the consolation that lie proved himself an Anzac hero.