STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE. Stratford, Sept. 13. The Mayor presided over a very good attendance of members of the Second Division League last night. Messrs Masters and Mdone, delegates to the conference recently held at Wellington, explained the business done at the meeting.

A committee, consisting of Messrs Mastors, Malone and Coleman, was .set up to keep in touch with members of Parliament regarding legislation affecting the Second Division men. Some discussion was caused at the inability of the Minister to allow memof the Division to present themselves for medical examination as soon as possible, so that they could learn.how their chances were regarding enlistment, and thus allow more time to attend to business selling or management.

The views as to how the wives of men enlisting would stand in the matter were also discussed, the Mayor undertaking to call a meeting of ladies and ascertain their views and offer them full membership. Mr. R. Masters was appointed press steward. The division is a strong one here, and embraces a membership of over 400, including many country settlers. Several of the latter' attended last night's meeting.

NEW LICENSING LEGISLATION. Probably the topic that created the most talk in Stratford this morning was the licensing legislation introduced by Parliament, and published in this morning's News. The first two gentlemen I met were temperance men. Neither was pleased, the first stating that the hours should be considerably curtailed, instead of from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The second man was more emphatic, and said the National Government is taking "a refuge in efficiency," and ignoring the voting of 80 per cent, of the Dominion. The third gentleman was one we term "moderate.' He thought the Bill might have restricted the hours further, and placed them on the same footing as the grocer and other retailer. -Probably if the Bill is not pruned further, the party (as the "liquor men" are termed) will be agreeable to have matters stand as brought down by the Bill.

The Midhirst Soldiers' Farewell Reception Committee is to be commended for the happy medium it has set up recardiinr farewelling and receiving returner] -nMinrs. Each man is made to feel he is leaving or returning to the best u: i•■lcii-N—friends in every sense of the word. Unfortunately some of the men do not return, and the Midhirst folk do much to minimise the effect of the blow. One of the heroes who left for the front and eventually lost his life, was Private Cyril Brvan Jones. He was from the Old Country, and probably till his arrival in the Dominion his parents had little knowledge that such a place existed. In Ridgehill, Bullingham, England, his parents mourn the loss of a son. lie can never be replaced, but in little Midhirst, 13,000 miles away, sympathetic souls remembered Jones also, and so the committee has recently had a letter of condolence carefully and neatly penned by Mr. J. McAllister expressing their regret at "the loss of Cyril Bryan Jones, killed in action," and concluding with a short but appropriate verse. Messrs R. Masters (chairman), H. Trimble and E. Dixon (Education Board) paid a visit to the Mokoia School Committee this afternoon. In the northern window of Mr. C. E. James' warehouse, those on the look-out for the choicest brands of tobacco, the be*t pipes, and the fragrant cigar, will find the variety coual to the best. In the southern window the ladies will find trinkets and jewellery of evrey description. placed in tempting array._ If vou are not needing "smokes" or jewellery, perhaps it is Doulton ware, and here again the choice is best. Again for stationery. toys, games (in and outdoor) the variety is large and the prices lowest in Taranaki.

T. LAMASON'S WEEKLY REPORT. Last Saturday our usual sale was held. Poultry was very scarce, and the demand very good. We quote as follows: Hens 2s to 3s Gd; roosters Is Od to 3s Od; cabbages 3s to 4s dozen; potatoes 12s to 14s sack. Furniture and sundries at usual auction rates. T. Lamason's usual sale is advertised for Saturday, when he will sell a quantity of useful traps, etc., and furniture. there is no time like the present. It is vours. and the wise man is he who makes the 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.