STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

WELL DONE. MIDHIRST!

'Stratford, Aug. 13. I It is surprising what excellent results may be achieved by united effort. The Midhirst ladies were much in evidence on Saturday. Throughout the day they concentiated in Broadway anil rushed matters (n such an extent that .Mrs. IluEig (chief promoter) and Mrs. Boon I president I banked £10(j. Tlie taking at the tea-rooms -were about £X, and at tit? close of the day the total was e-timated at £IBO. At the picture entertainment at His Majesty's Theatre the s;in:e evening the drawing for the various articles by an union was conducted under the supervision of Sergt. Dale. The successful winners were: — Pony. Mr. Scott, lluiroa; butter, Mr. fi. Smart. Stratford; camera, .Mr. Burfitt,

York Road; skirt, Mrs. F. J. Hopkins; cheep-guessing. ftUlb. Mr. M. Knox, dolls, Misses Francis t'niacke and Ruth Adlam: cake. A. M. Anderson. Those who assisted Mrs. Hogg: were Mesdatnes Adlam and J. M. Sliotter in the tea rooms, and Mesdames Fever, Williams, Tapp, G. S. Fergusson, and Crif. .lone; Miss Fever, and Tom Henderson. The Midliirst promoters are very grateful for the assistance of the band, which included Messrs Foley, Ford. Rowe, Cramer, find Sergeant-Major Mahoney. SCOTTISH SOCIETY'S DAY. The Scotsmen of Taranaki and elsewhere are now on the warpath taking stock of the elans that tan be relied upon to make next Saturday's effort on behalf of patriotic funds a memorable one—satisfactory to the promoters, and creditable to the district. Already the McDonalds, Mcßacs. MeSangsters, Stewarts and McMillans are hunting round the house—and country—for tartan, and the prospects are that Broadway will be alive with bare-kneed tam-o'-shanter men, complete nvitii sporran and cairngorms, aided by lasses—wee and otherwise—all prepared to battle for funds by way of dancing, so dear to the hearts of all liighlanders and lowlanders. '•Joe'' Wade, our veteran piper, has been tuning up frequently, anil will be prepared to "blaw his whistle" all day and night, provided the public dips into its pocket and helps the funds along. On Friday evening the annual concert and dance will be held in the Town Hall, when a fine concert programme will be submitted. The dance that follows should be also well attended, and patrons will have the rare opportunity of witnessing reels o' Tulloeh. sword dances, etc. Ireland will not be omitted from the occasion, as the true highiand dancer can always be relied upon to have an Irish jig concealed in his dancing pumps. Pipers and dancers are expected from ail round Taranaki, and with the weather in reasonable mood indications point to a very pleasant day for the promoters. GENERAL After a week's spell of fine weather the windy blasts have returned. Yesterday (Sunday) the winds were strong, and to-day we have had a northerly buster, accompanied by drenching raiti. tha, made one envy those who couid afford to stay indoors.

The monthly meeting of the County Council will be held this week. Tho Stratford Patriotic Committee hel'l a meeting' on Friday evening. The secretary informs me that they have been fairly busy making grants to various applicants and otherwise applying tho funds. wOwing to a desire not to make the grants in any way appear as o: a eharuuble nature, 110 names or locality arc mentioned, hence if one hears any growl in this direction it is no fault of the committee or the War Relief Association, who are always ready to Jo their best to grant immediate relief and further assist if possible. Tioso who know of soldiers not getting the assistance they should will find matters improved if they notify Mr. \V. Lander, the lion, secretary of the Patriotic Committee.

Most of the dairy factories in this part of tlie province have held their annual meetings. It cannot be said that they have erred on the side of generosity regarding donations to various societies and associations as was the case last year. There may be many reasons for this somersault in the action of shareholders. hut the fact remains shareholders have been very cautious in making grants. Probably some .were looking ahead, and others may have viewed it. in the light of air. Frydny at the Lowgarth meeting, ile stated that he did not object to any supplier giving any donation lie desired for whatever purpose, but believed a company should call a halt in voting the company's money awav.

From balance-sheets disclosed at the several meetings it looks as ii farmers .generally have had a very good year, despite the fact that the late spring and early summer was hardly up to previous years. Cattle have realised big prices, and although shipping ha>, been somewhat hindered, the year has passed very wejl. \\ hat the future holds the farmer cannot say with any degree of certaintv.

Cattle continue to bring good prices, but one farmer who lias been experimenting for many years on an Ayrshire herd was disappointed at the average per head of a herd that had been carefully culled, only realising £l7 or so. At Lowgartli recently a mixed herd, mostly Ilolsteins, heat these figures, although the average cow did tot appear to be the equal of the Ayrshire* previously mentioned. An impression seems to prevail amongst farmers that the Ayrshire is a timid beast. That may be so, but it is a fact that buyers were also timid in making their bids, and in consequence the herd was sold at below value.

The long winter evenings are still on hand. To those 'who find time hangs heavy a visit to Mr. C. E. James' warehouse will soon provide a remedy, as lie has in stock all classes of parlor games for young and old. Besides amusements, the warehouse has a large range of Doulton ware, whilst the range of jewellery Should satisfy all tastes. The smoker can secure all classes of tobaccos, cigars and pipes at lowest prices. "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever,'' and the place to secure beautiful things is in an up-to-date jewellery stock. Mr. Ben. J. Peters, of Stratford, in announcing the success attending his sale efforts, which is now in full swing, lays stress on tile class-value of the bargains now offering, and whether it be to-day, to-morrow or the next day, you arc sure to have the choice of quality goods, nothing else. The romantic side of life must not be lost sight of, as romance has a direct bearing on our stability. Young men are requested to fall in love and then into Beri. J. Peters' sale for a good engagement ring. A nice choice in presents awaits reciprocating young ladies.* 11