STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)*

/All communications, letters, etc., left wiih Mr. n. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.]

Stratford, Oct. S. The Town ITall was crowded to the doors yesterday afternoon, the occasion being the holding of a national day of prayer. Prior to this ceremony the Town Band headed a procession of territorials. cadets, and fire brigadesmen to the hall, the band playing impropriate selections. Inside the hall the congregation found a strong choir of over 60 voices on the stage, and a fine orchestra available for the several hymns and anthems sung during the service. The speakers included the Rev. J. D. Madill. R. B. Tinsley, Captain Campion, Dr. Steven, and Messrs P.. Thomson and T. White, the addresses being very impressive.

On Sunday morning the boy scouts, under control of Scoutmaster Dyson, attended church parade at the Anglican Church, the Rev. 0. Howard officiating'. The funeral of the late Mr. T. Stott, of Finnerty Road, yesterday, was attended by a large number of sympathisers and friends. The family has been particularly unfortunate of late. In the Hesaines battle a son, Private T. Stott, died of wounds, and shortly afterwards his mother, who had worried a good deal about her son and her son-in-law (Tom Wilkie) also died. In the Messines engagement Wilkie was wounded, and now the father has gone the way of all flesh. Thus the daughter has not only lost father, mother, and brother in a short space of time, but has a wounded husband. General sympathy has been extended to Mrs. Wilkie in her great trouble.

The Ladies' Patriotic Committee reports another good day on Saturday, ithe takings at the mart being £lO 10s and tea rooms £-7 16s 7d. N The 20th inat. 'has been set aside as the Red Cross day, and for this occasion the Xgaere ladies will control both rooms. Word reaches us that the contractor has made very good progress with the new cheese factory on the Robson Road, and that suppliers anticipate having the building ready for operations in November.

Mr. C. E. James has just opened up some very appropriate and beautiful Christmas card 9 for sending to soldiers at the front, and friends in the Home Land. A very large and varied assortment is available but already a steady demand has set in, so those on the lookout for seasonable gifts of this description should lose no time in inspecting- Mr. James' stock.