STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(Vrom Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. 11. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will icceive prompt attention.] A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. Stratford, July 24. About thirty members of the Association attended the meeting held this afternoon. Mr. J. W. Boon presiding. The executive committee reported that the catering committee had been offered donations as follow: Mr. Dingle i veal calf, Mr. A. Walker a sucking' ;>ig, Mr. Lopdell a. ham, and Mr. Huggett milk. The hours fixed for meals were: Breakfast 7 till 8, lunch 11.30 till 2. Since the annual meeting 28 new members had been elected, and the executive urged all members to make a special effort to secure as many new members as possible. Fifteen members had each signed a p/n for £lO for financing the overdraft.

The president, in moving the adoption of the report, referred to the catering arrangements, maintaining that with the strong co-operation of the committee, and assisted by the ladies, they would probably save £IOO, and if other members would assist in this direction he was sure they would net a handsome result. As to new members, there had so far been enrolled between 35 and 40. Guarantors had readily signed when a&ked. | but he .believed there was little prospect of their being called on to meet these guarantees. Mr. R. MeK. Morison, in seconding the motion, expressed the hope that all would do their utmost to push the Association along. The Teport was adopted. The president then brought forward

the suggestion that the new tea rooms be opened with a social. He pointed out that the cost of installing lights would be between £l6 and £lB, and he questioned whether it was wisdom to go to that expense. After some discussion it was decided that a concert be'held, and that a committee consisting, of Messrs Ranford, Linnell, Huggett, and Lopdell attend to necessary details. Mr. W. T. Bailey (Kaponga) moved that the show should be held later on in the season, about February. If the committee adopted this suggestion he believed they would obtain as good, if not better, results, and he instanced where the Taranaki Society had been obliged to go to February, and with satisfactory results. By coming later in the season the farmers had more spare hours, and so ha 4 the public, and they also had the latter to consider. Mr. T. B. Meltor (Ka/ponga) seconded. The chairman doubted the wisdom of making a change. If they decided to wait for February they would find another three or four reinforcements leaving, and that probably meant they would lose 100 or more members' services, probably some who were present now. If they held the show in November they would probably have the assistance of all. Again, now the shows were held before the race meetings. If they held them afterwards they would probably

find the money had been placed on the totalisator. In February the farmers were up to their necks getting in the oats, etc. They should stick to their original date, and conic a fortnight after the Man&.vatu fixture. Mr. C. Jackson heartily agreed with Mr. Boon's remarks. It not desirable to make a change. They had become used to November as a show month, and should continue holding it then.

Mr. Linncll said the present date allowed the dairy farmers to show their stock in the best possible condition. Xo one could say that the dairy cattle would look their best in February. Mr. Ranford favored November. They had in the past received a lot of support from the Munawatu, and they would lose these exhibits, and perhaps some members, by going in for a February show.

Mr. E. Dingle said there were some who had more time in the autumn to set. stock ready, but the president and the young members were keen on getting to work, and he would support their efforts. He thought they should hold the show this summer, although he jjeognißed that there .was something to be said in favor of an autumn exhibition. Mr Bailey said a good judge of a cow did, not judge solely iby the size of the udder. Mr. Bailey's motion was lost, and an amendment by the president, that the shaw be held at the usual time, .was ea'ried. The following members were elected: W. H. A. Mander, A. Goble, R. H. Witt, W. Bevins, X. Barr, E. A. Maunder, J. W. Pratt, T. Cooper. D. McMillan, J. J. Pearee, A. H. Guy, P. E. Garvey, C. Thomas, R. Fry day, S. J. Hollard, A. R. T. Keedham, E. A. Chard, C. Lucas, C. E. Oliver, and Mrs. C. Enwright. . Messrs Barclay. C. Jackson, and Orr were instructed to draw up a report on the suggested ''milking herd class," outlined by Mr. Bailey in his letter, and report to next meeting. A working bee will be held at the show grounds next Thursday. A long, and at times pointed, discussion ensued on a motion tailed by Mr. R McK. Morisonr "That it he a recommendation to the executive committee that no intoxicating liquor be allowed on the grounds."—This was seconded pro forma by Mr. C. Jackson. An amendment: "That no licensed booth be on the show grounds," was proposed bv Mr. C. 0. Sole, seconded by Mr. R- McK. Morison. The amendment was carried by a narrdw majority.

FAREWELLS AT CARDIFF. Despite tlie very bad weatlier prevailin" the attendance of settlers and others at Cardiff last night was distinctly pood. The occasion wasone • to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. J. Prebble. who are leaving the district, and also to Private Brown, up on final leave. Mr. ,T Richards, who presided, paid Ingu tc=tiraonv to the invariable readiness ot Mr and Mrs. Prebble to assist m any wrpoie or cause that had their sympathy. They had proved excellent neighbors, and he trusted that in their new home in Canterbury very best of « o od health and luck would be their,. On e behalf of subscribers he presented Mr Pr-bb!c with a toilet outfit and Mrs. Probble with a silver tea service. Ke»arfin« Private Brown he said they all felt .glow of pride at the magnU ieent work accomplished by the *ew ZeaUmdZ at Messines. He was sure Private Brown would always endeavor to do aw be,t and would carry with him the best Ses of all in the district. Messrs Sle and Brown briefly respondeu. An nceflent programme 4i» submitted, toward., which the following contrrimteA- Mr*. M«ter, Mr. Frank Kanford,

Miss Fieldes, Mr. Stan. Sharp, Mr. B. J. Peters, Mr. Tom Ranford. Mr. C. Cokl'.vell was M.C. at the dunce that followed, the music for which was contributed by the Rogers' orchestra (5), and special praise is due to their excellent performance. Mr. Tom Ranford contributed three extras. Dancing was 'kept going till a late (or early) hour, all present thoroughly enjoying the bill of fare presented. AT STANLEY ROAD. Here another farewell was made, this to Private Johnstone, who., a few nights previously, had a similar 'honor sit Kahouri Bridge. Mr. Wellington was chairman, and during the evening presented Private Johnstone with a fountain pen, with which he hoped 'he would be able to keep in touch with all during his stay at the front, where he (tlie speaker) trusted, and felt sure, Private Johnstone would always be ready to give his best. The recipient suitably acknowledged the gift and hospitality showered on him by his sympathetic friends. A number of enjoyable musical items were rendered during the evening by Misses E. Sangster and B. Sheahan, Mrs. C. Carter, and Mr. CI. T. Walters. Encores were insisted upon in each instance. Miss ' Kobson acted as accompanist, and also ! played for the dance that followed, with , Mr. Lister (violin). The M.C. was Mr. . Chard.

GENERAL, . Messrs Ranford 'Bros, have cleared all the grade Jerseys from their farm on the Opunake road, and are going ia for tho best pedigree stock. To-day two cows and four heifers, tyipical milkers, were railed to Stratford, saving been purchased from Mr. Mitchell, of Mimgorei. The herd already possesses many cows and young stock that would be hard to beat, and the Ranford brothers [promise to have a big say in show exhibits during the coming summer. The old girls of St. Joseph's Convent intend holding a social in the Town Hall on Thursday, August 3. An excellent programme is being arranged, details of which will appear in future issues.

The Borough Council is busy experimenting to lighten Broadway. C. E. James is also engaged lightening the long winter nights, and has opened up a huge array of parlor games that should afford amusement to oldsters and youngsters. A fine range of reading matter by the most popular authors is also available at lowest prices. In recognition of the hearty support accorded him during his business term of three years in StTatford, Mr. Ben J. Peters, who has more than justified his claim as a "first-class watchmaker and jeweller, has decided to offer for the' period of one month the whole of his high-class stock of watches, rings, jewellery, and plafc at a tangible reduction on present prices. The quality "of Mr. Peters' stock is well known, and the bargains offering in engagement and diamond rings, watch bangles, etc., will be very real and will afford opportunities to secure lasting gifts. The date fixed for thb commencement of thj sale is Saturday, July 21.