STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

[All communications, letters, etc., left ivith Mr. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] 27 th REINFORCEMENTS.' (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, March 20. There .wag a large attendance of the public at the railway station this morning to farewell the men ' leaving for Prentham. Mr. J. Masters, chairman of the Recruiting Committee, stated that he had been requested by his Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. W. Boon) to addre;3 a few words of farewell. To those who had not seen the Daily News, he had good news to convey. The Germans had left their trenches they had occupied and were retreating towards the Belgian frontier, being followed by British tnd French cavalry. It was hardly necessary to state that the public 'here appreciated the loyalty shown and the sacrifice those departing were making in going forward to fight in llefence of our nation. It was due to the magnificent response of the Dominions and our Allies that we were not now under the iron heel of Prussian militarism and semi-slavery—instead we are on the "road to victory. We do not know whether you may reach the firing line—we hope not—but if you do, we are sure you will do as the boys who have gone ahead, uphold the honor of Nc.w Zealand. Hardships will have to be faced, but whenever downhearted, they should keep steadily in view the fact that they were fighting in a just cause and for that which is the heritage of every Britisher —Liberty. May the great God direct your movements, protect yon, and bring you safe back to Ne\v Zealand shores. The names of the men leaving were: IT. Batson, R. Burrell, C. Foley, J| Jensen, T. Lineham, A. Perry, J. Roonev, \\ Moss, J. F; Tocker, W. Jones.

. THE WHAX'GAMOMOXA ASSAULT. From particulars gleaned, I understand that on Friday last the stationmaster, Henry Comrip, was engaged !:i his duties til] a late hour, 11 p.m. He was then leaving the office, and in the net of closing the door, when ha v.t.s suddenly struck on the head by someone standing behind the door. The blo-.v stunned luni somewhat, and lis wa-j struc-k twice again before he could eio:? with hig assailant. In the straggle thr.t followed Comrie had his thumbinii tora off, hut managed to get his man down, and called for assistance. No one hearing his call, lie allowed the man to get up, and going outside discovered tii.it his, assailant was the cadet, Marcrofi, employed as his a'-hiant. Comrie made his way home, the police were comnuiircated with,, and Constable Scannell arrested Marc-roft shortly afterwards. On Saturday Marcrofi, was charged with assault and causing actual Vodily harm. Mr. J. Masters, J.P.. cn the bench, and formally remanded lun till Saturday, 24th inst. Coauic remained v.nder the care of the nurse at Whangamomona and was' removed to the Stratford hospital yesterday. Com-1-ie's injuries are not considered serious, although he was much kr.oci;cd about. GEXERAL.

St. Patrick's Day wa« celebrated in fhe Town Hall last evening with a --crial. There was a large attendr.n.-;' of ■ai'ver.s and others, and a first-cla- -- gramme was provided, comprising quartettes, ducts, and solos, contributed by Misses D. Fitzgerald, D. Edwards, Fieldes, E. Milner, Mrs. Ma-«ey, and Messrs. T. Lonegan and J. Peters. Mr. Joe Wade, as a big bonny Ilielan- man, stepped the Highland fling antl sailor's hornpipe in a manner fitting an artist, whilst the items contributed by the ladies and gentlemen mentioned were ail appropriate to the occasion. The floor was in splendid order for dancing, and the decorations reflected great credit on the young ladies, headed bv Mi--s X. O'Connor. Mr. Jans proved an efficient M.C., whilst mention must be mad? of the artistic manner in which Mr. C. Fox contributed the music. It is playing the game pretty low when anonymous correspondence is clipped from a paper, pasted on cardboard, and posted to the parties interested. Some hostile comments made on the road, formation in this district have been cut out of a newspaper column and forwarded to ti'e chairman of the Stratford County Council. The Stratford Borough Council require ,a tra'ction engine driver. Particulars 'are advertised' on the first page. The great Allies' march continues. First we have the capture of Bagdad, then Eapaume, and now Peronne is wrested from the enemy's grip. Writing of grips, reminds one that there has been quite a run on ladies' handbags in Stratford. This is scarcely to be wondered at, seeing that C. E. James, of the Jewellery and Fancy Goods Warehouse, has been offering some, which for price and quality are unequalled in the Dominion.