STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] Y.M.C.A. WOEIw Stratford, Sept. G. Coniderable interest was taken in tlio \Nit here of Mr. Varney, secretary of tlie \ .M.C.A., and long before his evening meeting opened His Majesty's Theatre was filled. Before proceedings commenced the audience were treated to some fine orchestral music by nine performers, and added to this was a wellrendered cornet solo by Mr. C. Lawn. The public would prefer seeing and hearing the Lgniont Club orchestra a little more frequently. Mr. J. Masters, deputy mayor, briefly introduced Mr. Varney and paid a high tribute to the magnificent work accomplished by the Y.M.C.A. in the trenches, training camps, etc. Mr. Aarney, who was cordiallv received, gave an interesting and instructive account ol the work taken up by the As?o !!ition. He touched on the numerous einips and hospitals in England. thence l;ase camps in France, right up to the .Oring line. He also gave details of their work in India, Mesopotamia, \A est Afr'.ca, Egypt, and Palestine. Switzerland was also reviewed, which was the country used for exchange of prisoners with Germany. He paid a glowing tribute to the hundreds of ladies who gave voluntary assistance throughout Britain. Mr. Varney spoke for an hour and a half, during which he showed 250 exceptionally interesting lantern slides, depicting our boys in various camps, in hospitals, and in and about the firing lines, thus giving an ample description of the hardships and conditions of the soldiers and civilian life in the war zone. At the close of the address a hearty vote of thanks was passed, on the motion of Messrs George Curtis and W. P. Kirkwood. Admission to the lecture was free, and the collection taken up during an interval realised the appreciable amount of £25. LICENSING COMMITTEE. The quarterly meeting of the Licensing Committee'was held this afternoon. Present: Messrs A. Crooke, S.M. (chairman), C. D. Sole, AV. Hathaway, \Y. Mct'utchan, and J. B. Richards. The only business was an application for a transfer of the license for the Club Hotel, Stratford, from W. Lovett to T. Sullivan. The police offered no objection, and the application was granted. S.M. COURT. A sitting of the S.M. Court was held this afternoon, Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., presiding. The hearing of the claim for £3O and costs in connection with the motor car and cycle collision, brought by B. R. Long against T. Sneller, was resumed. The defending counsel, Mr. J. L. AVeir (Elth* am) was unable to be present, but on Mr. Stanford's application the evidence of a cyclist, Tait, who did not actually witness the accident, was taken. The caso was then further adjourned till 21st inst. to allo'w the evidence of another witness being taken. A prohibition order mas granted against a Toko resident. Several cases set down for hearing W.eje fiitlifr adjourned or withdrawn. GENERAL* Yesterday the Stratford School senior team met a fifteen from the Eltham cadets on the grounds here. The game was a very keen one, the teams being well matched. In the first spell Johnstone scored a try for Stratford (unconverted), and this being the only score obtained, victory went to tlie home team by 3 points to nil. Mr. Kivell was j referee. ! The ladies are controlling the social that is to be held in the Coronation Hall on Tuesday evening. They have decided to make a solid attempt to eclipse previous efforts, and that means something. The best of local talent will assist, and, lest we forget, the entertainment is in aid of the patriotic funds. A cable has been received stating that Sapper Geoffrey T. Lawrence (son of Mr. H. Lawrence, solicitor), of Stratford (14th Reinforcements), is in Brockenhurst Hospital, having received gunshot wounds in the left leg, right knee, and left forearm, the latter being severe. In the High School luncheon hour the members of the girls' hockey club made a presentation to Mr. Johnston, the agricultural instructor, who is leaving for camp shortly. Miss Lily Scott (captain) made the presentation (a silver cigarette holder), and in doing so •thanked him for the great assistance and attention he had paid them, and concluded by wishing him good luck and a safe return. Mr. Johnston, who was greatly surprised, thanked the girls for their kind gift and good wishes. There is no time like the present. It is yours, and the wise man is he who makes tlio most of the opportunity. Just now the opportunity of making a little cash go a long way is presented at Mr. C. E. James' warehouse. Prices are down to bedrock, whilst quality is of the highest. Ladies, don't neglect this chance of securing best leather handbags, jewellery, wedding presents, etc., now offering. Call and inspect when next in town.