STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) FAll communications, letters, etc., left w.'tU Mr. 11. J. Hopkins, bookseller, v ill teoeive prompt attention.] MODEL DAIRY FARM. ! Stratford. July 28. Tlie promoters of the Model' Dairy Farm in Stratford oan now look with a certain amount of satisfaction at the results of their efforts. The matter of setting aside an area of ground in or around Stratford was no new project. In fact, it has been "in the air" for over three years, but now some tangible results are apparent. The Government lias sanctioned the purchase of ground, promised a subsidy, and named a representative, Mr. Deem. The committee have now held meetings, and the supposition is warranted that before long the model dairy farm will be not only a name but an actuality. But with the pawing of time, the election of committee. etc., one is apt to forget to give credit where it is due. The work was initiated by the Stratford A. and P. Association, and the success is due particularly to the persistent manner in which Messrs E. Jackson, R. Masters, and R .Dingle, to mention a few, have stuck to their guns. These members of the Association clearly recognised that the establishment of a farm on the lines laid down would be of immense value to those on the land. The wealth of Taranaki comes almost entirely from the land, and the future prosperity of the province lies in the greater productivity To increase the yield of any area is, or should be, the aim of every farmer. It is generally recognised that although land is at a high figure it will probably rise further. The land itself has not changed much during the past 23 ycar=, but it is very evident that the methods have considerably altered, and for the best. The educational authorities are alive to the importance of "schooling" students in agricultural matters, and are also directly interested in the Model Dairy Farm to the extent of 43 acres, on which they intend to experiment in grass plots, fertilisers, and stock. The boys are to cultivate the ground, mill;, and generally acquire an intimate knowledge of farming under the guidance of the Board's instructors. It is claimed that experience gained under these method? will be of great value to the boya when they take up farming after finishing their school studies. The committee set up are all showing considerable enthusiasm in their work and have got things in working order.

PATRIOTIC SOCIETY'S ANTsTJAL MEETING. The annual meeting of tlie Patriotic Society was licld on Saturday, and wa<-prcside-d over by tho Mayor (Mr. J. \V. McMillan). There was a poor attendance. Tho balance-sheet submitted showed a credit at June 30th. 1916, of £G3l'9 2s Sd, and other receipts to hand since were: —Soldiers' Day, £748 10s Oil; Millhirst Dairy Company, J-090; Ngaere Dairy Company, £240; Cardiff Dairy Company, £132 10s Sd ; raflle of C. Jackson's section. £li~> 7s Gd: J. B. Hine. M.P., £7O; Scottish Society, £llß lis lid: Whangamoinona Committee, £I2S Is; Ladies' Patriotic Mart, £112; motor car art union (X. King), £215 13s; ToWo Committee. £l2B 14s (id: Stratford Pacini; Club, £SS3 12s Cd; Mc-Laren-Fox concert, £l2'o His lOd: Taranaki War Relief Association, £I7S 23 31: interest, £SO: sundry subscriptions iunder £00). £341 IS* (id—total, £lO,139 Is lOd. Expenditure: Taranaki War Relief Association, £0124 His 2d; Red Cross Fund, £SO; Belgian Relief Fund, £SO. Serbian Relief Fund. £SO; Sailors' Relict' Fund, £304 Ss Id; relief to soldiers and dependents. £59 12a 3d; donations to contingent bands, £10; Ladies' Committee (Christmas Oift Funds), £10; rent, stationery, advertising, etc, £57 19s Sd; P.O. Savings Bank deposit, £200; balance in bank, £205 12s —total, £10.159 Is 10d. The auditor. Mr. Win. Po.ver, added a recommendation that in cases where representatives of the committee make disbursements to returned soldiers receipts be produced, and in cases where this is is impossible, that the party receiving cheque by way of refund give an ac-

knowledgment. The report stated that the years] work had been very satisfactory. Thirty meetings had been held, the principal attended being W. P. Kirkvood 29, J. W. McMillan -_>ti, W. J. Crawsha-.v 30, J. W. Boon 25. J. B. Richards 24, D. Malone '24, M. Gernhoefer (Toko) 13, \\. Lander (part of year) 8. The Ladies Commtttee had done excellently during the jear, and thanks are due to them for donatins to the Wounded Soldiers' l'und fil* 7 a portion of their takings for three' months at the Mart. Sections of land have been donated bv Messrs S. A Mann and T. H. Penn. also by Misa Smvthe. of England, through Miss Carberrv It is proposed to offer these properties as prizes in the Art Union which the Taranaki Provincial War Relief Association is endeavoring to arrange throughout the whole of Taranaki, m aid of the Wounded Soldiers' 1-und. It is most desirable that the new committee should keep on steadily augmenting the funds and carrying out organised patriotic effort until victory is achieved bv the Allies. ' 4i,« of the reDort

"in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet the president dealt with some of the work done by the War Relief Association, lie said that the Taranaki body was the only one he knew of that was endeavoring to place soldiers on the land So tar probably 300 returned soldiers had come to Taranaki. The Association had made e>erv effort to see justice was done to all annlicants. The Association had had to £t manv cases, and whilst the war continued'these claims would have. to be considered. The sums available »oal<l Aot meet the claims if something fui ther was done (lone ' and el , 1 orants would have to be reduced or a bi« sum leathered by way of art union Ue tmWri Item that Uw "■ »; the need for raising funds for tK wounded soldiers by means of an art union to be worked in conjunction with the Patriotic Committees in Tar ""£'' Thev hoped the scheme would ™ ltcn *' ise and a handsome sun. be raised. He congratulated Mr. Kirkwood on Jus . ■ pointment as chairman of the "ttai the report and balance-sheet were adopt.

"'the. election or olS«r. r,M----5: Under, W. J. Crawsba.w D. J. Mal °" e ' rH. Grant, J. W. Boon, J. Lucena, ?.nd J. S. MoDouftW-

Mr. Sid. ard said he had been in the country a good deal, and there was a feeling there that the committee was not showing the interest in the country that it might. Coiintry Patriotic Committees were not forwarding subscriptions o n account of the, members not being in touch with the Socictv. lie admitted that the Committee had done the beVt under the circumstances, but country towns desired that t.hcy should receive more opportunities of being represented and airing their grievances when they had any. 'Mr. Richards said they .were doing I heir best. As far as money went they had not turned down any application. Any man who knew of any soldier or dependent was falling short of his duty if he did not notify the committee.

Mr. Boon said the country people had worked hard. If any man knew of a returned soldier who wanted ivork, the latter should "be put in the way of getling into touch with employers. It was necessary for the Committee to investigate each case before making a grant or otherwise. It was unreasonable to ask an employer to put an inferior man on a job for a few hours each day.

Mr. D. J. Malone said the Committee was always willing to give assistance where possible. The small Patriotic Committees worked hard in their own way and added to the funds, and he had no desire to disturb their work.

The president stated that, regarding the query as to where tlio funds went, he might mention that £3OOO a month, or £36,000 a year, was forwarded Home for use of wounded soldiers tliorc. He understood that this forwarding would shortly be stopped. Mr. Lueena. desired information £La to what particular fund the art union suggested >was to be set up for. - The president explained it was for the War Relief Association, whose main work lay in meeting tha claims of wounded and invalided soldiers and their dependents returning to Taranaki. Votes of thanks to the .Mayor for presiding, and the outgoing committee, concluded the meeting.

GENERAL. There 'was one man in town yesterday who was disgusted. He had parted with an old friend, and the parting was very severe, and made a big difference. He had come into town to enlist in the forces or to see a long-lost friend, or to protest against the tatter-fat iniquity. Whatever the eauSc, he remained, and had to slumber, and slumbered. His dreams were undisturbed, but "ah! what a difference in the mornins!"' as the old song goes. During his absence in the land of Xod some joker removed a portion of his moustache, and what was once a •well-groomed facial adornment 'ooked very much the worse for wear and scissors. The problem was solved bv a visit to the hairdresser, but it was iiard to part with a close friend of 20 vears' standing. The parting with the whiskers is nothing to the explanations to be made to tho "other half" a 5 to how it is a man cannot afford to go to town without leaving his moustache behind.

Owing to clashing with another entertainment- on the night originally fixed, the concert committee of the A. and ?. Association has resolved to hold the concert and dance in the tea-rooms on the show grounds on Tuesday, August 7. Between 7 and 8 p.m. motor-cars will be available to carry patrons to the rooms. The date now fixed will allow of a reallv fine programmes being submitted. Particulars are advertised on the pogo of this i*suc.

There are many useful thinsrs to admire (and buy) in Mr. 0. E. .Tames' warehouse. In the windows theie ir, Doulton ware that would please mother to have as a present. For poor old father there is a wide range in briars and 0.8.D. pipes, and cigars of varyinq decrees of strength and prices. Sister Susie would be enraptured with one oi the broodies or bangles displayed, whilst the "book-worm" of the family would also be pleased to handle and read som< of the latest fiction offering here.*

"A thing of beauty is a jov for over, and the place to secure beautiful thinjrs is in an up-to-date jewellery stock. Mr. T!?n. -T. I'eters. of Stratford, in announcing tlie' success attending iii* sale effort, which is now in full swing. lays stress on the class-value of the _ bargains now offering, and whether it je to-div, to-morrow, or the next day, you are pure to have the choice of quality poods, nothing else. The romantic side of life must not he lost sight of, as romance lias a direct bearing on our stability. Young men are requested to fall in love and then into Ben. .(. Peters' sale for a good engagement ring- A nice choice in presents awaits Reciprocating young ladies.*