STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) .rAll communications, letters, etc., left With Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] FIRE BRIGADE. The anuUal meeting of the Fire Brigade was held on Tuesday night The financial position was show*. to b&, very good, the : receipts (including a credit of £7O IJs 4ld last year) reaching £l7l 4s 3d,' and the expenses £134 15s Id, leaving a credit balance of £3O 9s M. In moving the. adoption of the refort and balance sheet the chairman (Captain Grubb) said the expenditure looked very heavy but the brigade now possessed a motor chassis that cost £ 100 and should be available for many years. Mention was made of 13 brigadesmen having gone to the front and also that two, Clyde Dewar, had fallen. During the year there had been one fire.—Adopted. The election of officers resulted: Captain, T. H, Grubb; Lieutenant, A. ,T: Davcy; foremen, W. Rowson and A. Moon; committee, Firemen E. Lichbon, J. Pearce, and A. Drake; secretary, W. Payton; treasurer, A. Moon. Two years' service bars were presented to Foreman Rowson and Fireman Crossan, making '3 years' service, whilst Fireman B. Buigess has had 19 years' membership, and also received a bar, which was also presented to W. Burgess 19 years, and Lieutenant Davey. Reference was made to the assistance rendered to the brigade by the Council. Or. gold medal for best attendance resulted in a tie by five members, and, on the donor's suggestion, it was decided to accept five silver medals. A lengthy toast list was discussed and a pleasant evening enjoyed.

Mr. C. Carley, of Cardiff, has received news that his fourth son, S. E. Carley, was killed in action on October 4. This is the second son he has lost in warfare, whilst two others are at the front. Eighteen months ago the eldest son made the supreme sacrifice, whilst just previous to that Mr. Carley lost his wife. Much sympathy has been expressed locally with Mr. Carley in his great sorrow. At Midhirst hali last night the euchre tournament was won by Mrs. C. Plews and Mr. 0. Volzke. At the dance that followed, Misa Huse supplied the music. The borough engineer, Mr. Sullivan, is preparing estimates for laying down Boardway in concrete, and with asphalt surface. These will be considered by the council, probably at a"special meeting. The question of granting further assistance to the band also awaits consideration. The county engineer (Mr. Lopdell) informs me that he has been able amicably to arrange with the laborers to continue their work at a wage satisfactory to the council and themselves. Whilst wages are going up, the quality of the labor offering is deteriorating, but the county council is taking a philosophical view of the matter. At the school committee meeting on Tuesday evening the headmaster's report showed that the school was making very satisfactory progress. The secondary school attendance had fallen off somewhat; but this was attributed to the fact that, owing to t'he scarcity of labor, many of the boys were being detained at home for farm work. The attendance at the primary schools, however, was excellent, and in some rooms the classes were overcrowded. Some small repairs to the baths were ordered to be effected. T. LAMASON'S WEEKLY REPORT. I/ast Saturday the usual weekly sale was held, when tlffere was a very fair entry of poultry and vegetables, and prices realised were very satisfactory. Quotations are: Hens, poor and old Is 8d to 2s, others to 3s fid; ducks, 2s 7d to 2s 9d ; roosters, Is 9d to 3s; cauliflowers, 2s 6d to 4s fid dozen; potatoes, 13s sack. Furniture and sundries at usual auction rates. T. Lamason's usual auction sale is advertised for Saturday, When he will be selling poultry, furniture, a quantity of soap, glassware, and sundries. u Mr. C. has just opened up some very appropriate and beautiful Christmas cards 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.