STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

, TRAFFIC regulations. (From On: Own Correspondent.) January IS. Stratford is a busy centre. A visitor can aseortkin the truth of tin? by visiting the town on sale days and Saturdays. Then lie will find the town well filled with town and country folk. In Stratford's days of. infancy the regulatiens then were probably ample Co deal with the traffic. Not so now, that is if there are any regulations existing. According to the conduct of some motorists, traffic laws do not exist—as far as Stratford is concerned—and this should not he. ' so. The municipal authorities have/ notices placed at each end of the b.irough'requesting speed to be reduced to a, certain mileage, but this is,barely observed. Indeed, whenever race carnivals .are on at New Plymouth or Hawcra the speed at which these cars travel will certainly provi disastrous to any person crossing the road. The trouble for the police is in defining just what constitutes a pace dangerous to the public. On a good road, with a char view, and no obstructions j. speed of "0 miles or more would not II considered (lanpvrouf. but in a town where so

many streets intersect a higl. rate of speed is dangerous to motorists, unci others. The Borough has by-laws but ih.ese require revising and brought up-to-date. Whilst on the question of traffic it is just at well to mention that in I.lf.wera, Napie:, <.nd other towns the taxi-stands are in the middle of the road, thus allowing traffic a clear run on each s.rie. In Stratford this is not so. The new stand is about sft off tht west side of Broadway, and private motorists wishing to draw' up to the kerbing in the vicinity of the recognised stand would have difficulty in doing so ,f there were many cars plying foi hire. The nile of the road, "keep to the left," is rot observed.

On Friday the writer notice., a collision narrowly averted through a motorist proceeding north on the cast side ol the road, scarcely allowing room for a car to round White's cornet. Ai Hav.era on sale days a constahh is to be seen standing at the intersection of High and Princess street, compelling motorists and drivers of vehicles to keep lo the left. In narrow .streets this is necessary to prevent accidents, a.id although Stratford's streets are wide that is no rea=on to neglect the rules of tht road. This is written in no carping spirit, but rather to draw attention to the fact that drivers and the municipal authorities can all assist the police by observing the rules as at present existing. Probably the police would willingly ,'O-opcrate with the Council in making Stratford up-to-date in by-laws of this description, and when this is done the danger of accidents will be considerably minimised.

Messrs Foley and Cottier are the present holders of the bowling feathers, having usccessfully challenged Messrs Sanderson and C." Jacksor. on Friday evening. The winners had much the best of the bowls, the final scores being: Cottier 19, Jackson 7.

At the quarterly meeting of the Methodist Church circuit, Rev. R. B. Tinslcy presided. The finances disclosed a very healthy position, it being decided to place the amount raised at Midhirst towards a sinking fund for the erection of a parsonage there. Mr. J. Masters was appointed Church representative to the next conference.

Owing probably to farmer; bDin fe too busily employed harvesting, the meeting of the Jersey Breeders' Association, called for to-day, was adjourned owii><; to want of a quorum. If the Stratford Brass Band is perilously close to abandonment the future for music is -bright. The bandmaster (Mr. Ti. Ford) informed a band meeting that the 14 lads under his control were shaping very well in their studies. He hoped before long to have them playing in public. Mr. F. Foley offered to grant part of a night's proceeds at the Pictures towards the band's funds. Xecdriesi to say, the offer was received with ent.HiMasni. TARBIXG BROADWAY.

To the Editor. Sir,- The remarks in a recent issue of the News as to the need of tarring Broadway has received general endorsement in' Stratford, except amongst the few who, while profiting most by every improvement, are the least willing to contribute tbeii quota towards it. An old resident of South Taranaki, who has had been lately making a round of the district, states that "at the back of beyond" in the Eltham county the roads aro fat better suited for modern traffic than is Stratford's main thoroughfore. I hope you will continue to stir the matter ,ip till our Mayor and councillors, for very shame's sake, ~.vill feel impelled to modernise their methods. Just fancy a water-cart paving the way for road disintegration by motor-cars and motor lorries in the year of grace 1917! I wonder what people will think about it in 1927. Stir them up, Mr. Editor, and earn the thanks of the community.—l am, etc., OLD TAR. Stratford, 12/1/17.