STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent) [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] 'A. .'AND P. ASSOCIATION. Stratford, June 15. The annual meeting of the Stratford A. and P. Association will be held tomorrow (Saturday), at 1.30 p.m., at the Foresters' Hall. It is very desirable there should be a large attendance, as several matters of importance will be brought up for discussion. The past year has been one of the most progressive in tlio history of the Asscoiation. Under the guidance of the president, Mr. E. Jackson, some lasting improvements have been effected on the grounds and buildings. One of the alterations effected was the making of luncheon rooms at the people's stand. This work was carried out by Mr. J. W. Boon, and is complete in every detail. The old luncheon rooms at the Back of the grandstand will now become the locality for the butter, cheese, and home industries, and will give ample room for these to be shown to the best advantage. Another improvement is that dogs will foe housed in the old produce shed. The bull stands now consist of a substantial covered-in double row of stalls, while the horses' stalls and loose boxes nave also been improved and enlarged. The entrance to the grounds from Flint Road has added much to the convenience of owners exhibiting stock. Here a road has been formed, graded, and sown in grass. The seed for sowing iwas donated by Mr. Newton King, and the work, as well as that of dismantling buildings, was carried -out by working bees. Mr. E. Jackson, the retiring president, will not seek re-election, owing to residing in New Plymouth and his time being required in other directions. He will be hard to replace, as he did not spare himself 'in his efforts to push ahead the Society's interests. A motion has been tabled by Mr. E. Dingle regarding the question of bolding shows during the war, and this should elicit a big discussion, GENERAL. The Scottish Society has been quiet for many months, so quiet indeed that many imagined it Kad ceased to exist. This is not so, and it is quite possible in the near future that we shall have the sons of Seotland producing a concert in aid of patriotic funds. At the Midhirst cheese meeting on Thursday some of the speakers spoke frequently. "Say, Mr. Chairman, cut them short," pleaded one voice. "Get out," answered another. "Don't you know this is our day out. Let's make the most of it," a statement that struck the popular fancy. The Midhirst directors came in for some rough talk on Friday. The chairman (Mr. Skegwell) poured oil on the troubled water by admitting that they might be fools and have made mistakes. 'Hats went up and cheers were beard when the result of the voting on the cheese question was proclaimed. Evidently tho Midhirst people have been "dieting" for weeks on casein, glaxo, and butter, and relished the prospects of swinging on to cheese. What -has become of the Stratford Minstrel troupe? Last winter several entertainments that proved very enjoyable to patrons and increased the patriotic funds were given throughout the dsilriet. The minstrels were responsible for brightening up the winter nights in many small towns, and probably would receive the same hearty support if they again took up the work. There are bargains offering in the thousand and one articles that Mr. C. E. James intends to clear between the present data and the 30th inst. H'e is carrying a heavy stock of general and fancy goods, and this must be turned into cash. During the next few weeks bargains rarely placed before the Stratford public will be available, so those on the look-out for best value goods at lowest cash should attend these sales."