STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

SCOTTISH CONCERT AND BALL. Stratford, August 'lB. The anticipation* formed of a high-class entertainment organised by the local Highland Society were amply fulfilled at the Town Hall on Friday night, the large audience thoroughly enjoying the long list of items submitted. There was plenty of variety, too, and naturally included piping and dancing items. The programme opened with a Highland reel by Messrs Mcßoc and Wade, Miss Reid and Master llcid. The last-named neatly footed a sword dance, and Miss ileid put plenty of vim into the Highland Fiing, The vocalists were Misses Fyfe, Sangster and Lang (fngleWooij), and Messrs Goldsworthy and Dunsian (New Plymouth) Marlow, (Inglewood), P. Gonnley (iiawera), and P. Aittein, 0. T. Walters and 'Frank Ranford, Stratford. The last-mentioned was particularly pleading in his Scotch ttories, and with Gormley supplied the comic element. The items by the Rev. Papapakura (Opunake) fully merited the recalls demanded. He lias beyond doubt one of the linest tenor voices in the Dominion, and the pity is that the opportunity of hearing him on the concert platform is very rare.

The dance that followed was equally enjoyable and well attended. The musicians for this portion of the entertainment were Miss Anderson (piano) Mr. S. Parker (cornetJ, and Mr. H. Harrison (violin). The M.'sC. were Messrs Mcßae, Paul and McFarlane.

On Saturday the Society's members ivere early astir for their daylight demonstration. By mid-day the kilties were in full possession of Broadway, and outside the municipal buildings a dancing platform allowed plenty of freedom for stepping. At times the congestion of • traflic made matters very awkward, but Uie per»piring, bedraggled dames enjoved the novelty as well as the younger generation. The performers were liberal in their music and 4ancing, and the voung ladies were Very energetic in selling art union tickets. The president, Mr. Geo. Sangster, and the secretary, Mr. F. J. McDonald, have every reason to be satislied with the results achieved by the Hishlaiid Society, and are deserving of the thanks of the district for tke°entertainment provided. .Stratford, Aug. *2O. The Scottish 'Patriotic Day on Saturday proved a huge success, the clans gathering in Broadway and working to •such eli'eet that considerably over £2OO will be added to the patriotic funds. There was a mart on each side of the street, and a platform on the roadside, all very liberally stocked, and the willing attendants had a busy time, but soon sold out. A bevy of laik and lasses did great business selling badges, buttonholes, etc., and there were verv few passers-by that were able to resist their blandishments. The Mayoress (Mrs. J. W. McMillan) and Mrs. Songster had charge of the special mart, which produced £.jj, with more yet to come in. Mesdames A. F. (irarit and J. Petrie had charge of the patriotic tea rooms, which did business to the extent of £2!) 8s Bd. An entertainhent consisting of Scottish dancing and singing by the Meßae clan, as at New Plymouth, attracted considerable interest and afforded much entertainment, besides bringing in much 'grist to the mill, the sum of £ul 13s being c-.nlributed, or an increase of about £ls on the amount the same party raised at Xew Plymouth. Special mention must be made oMhe work of Mr. Joe Wade, and of the dancing of Miss and Master Reid. The concert on Friday night resulted in tlij sum of £2iio being raised. The art' Unions will be drawn on Saturday night. The society deserves to be fongratulated on the success achieved. A!) worked willingly and ungrudgingly, none more so than Messrs F. J. Macilnnald (secretary) and W. Macdonald (treasurer).

FAREWELL AND PRESENTATION. There was an excellent attendance of friendj of Private Braimigan at the smoke concert tendered him on Friday nii'ht. i!;s Worship the .Mayor presided, and ail present spent amost convivial evening. Several toasts were honored, during which -Mr. McMillan (mayor) presented Private Bramiigan with £lO to purchase some memento of his stay in the district. Private Braimigan suitably acknowledged. Songs, recitations, etc., were contributed by Messrs J. Lister, J. Rowe. T. \Vilson, W. Robinson, VV. Barlow, A. Woodhead, and 0. Raadrup, whilst Mr. Robinson proved a most capable accompanist. A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. A general committee meeting of the A. and 'P. Association was held on Saturday afternoon, Mr. J. W. Boon presiding over an attendance of about 40 members. The executive committee reported on the work done by the sub-committees and the working bee held on the showgrounds. The sum of £l4 nett was obtained from the opening of the tea rooms. The show dates had been fixed for November 28 and "29. A remit from the annual conference of the New Zealand Council of Agriculture: "That to encourage unity and friendly relations among associations it be a recommendation to secretaries to advise the secretary of the show immediately following theirs of any defaulters, especially among the side shows, and that until the indebtedness is met they be not allowed on the ground." The matter of procuring feed boxes was left in the hands of the committee.

A notice is to be put up asking exhibitors not to wash clothes or brushes in the drinking troughs. * Members drew attention to the necessity for obtaining a second judge in the grade section, as the entry was so large that one man could not get through in time for thera to be milked until late. —Referred to the cattle committee.

A member suggested that all classes in which the entries did not pay the prize money shsuld be cut out, but it was pointed out this would mean a sweeping reduction in the number of entries. A member stated that the prize moneys in the home industries exceeded the entrance fees by £23. Mr. Linnell moved that the conditions of the schedule should be strictly adhered to. He stated that last year he had entered a horse in the farmers' utility class, the conditions being that the horse had to\ be driven in harness and ridden over bush 3 feet high. He had trained his horse (a light inilk carter) to jump, but found that he was competing against light draughts, and the judge said the jumping condition must bo a misprint. The matter will be brought under the notice of the schedule committee. Fourteen new members were elected. GENERAL. Mr. R. Dingle, chairman of directors of the Stratford Dairy Company, is at present confined to liis home through

Monday was a eold, raw day. We were, however, more fortunate than some of our neighbors, who had a spell of rain, Rugby road suppliers met the Tariki directors in connection with the proposal to join the Tariki Dairy Company. .Though nothing definite has heen fixed up, it is understood the matter will eventuate.

The Stratford Fire Brigade are holding a plain and fancy dress ball in the T«wn Hall on Thursday evening, the proceeds being in aid of the brigade funds. There has been a steady demand for tickets.

The Stratford Dairy Company is now turning out 41 boxes of butter daily. This is under 25 per cent, of the company's maximum output in the liush, but the cows are rapidly coming in, and every week should see a considerable increase.

Corporal Barker, D.C.M., who re-enlist-ed and went into camp with a recent contingent, is now back into civilian life, the injury which necessitated his return to the Dominion having made iteelf apparent in camp. Corporal Barker intends to follow farming pursuits.

The funeral of the late M. J. Fitzgerald took place on Sunday. Rev. father Maples •oliiciated. Mr. J. ti. Hannah, of the local branch of the Public Works Department, who has been transferred to Wellington, has been succeeded by Mr. J. Wilkinson, of the Nelson office.

A lad named William Anstis, of Bird road, had a narrow escape from serious injury in Broadway on Saturday. He ran in front of a car, and was knocked down, but fortunately escaped with a few bruises and cuts.

An Eltham delegation visited the Egmont Club on Saturday, and after a complete inspection expressed themselves as impressed with the institution. It is understood that the establishment of a club on similar lines in Eltham is conjtfinplatcd.