STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

'(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left witii Mr. 11. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.]

TEE LATE K. SPENCE.

Stratford, Nov. 2. At the S.M. Court sitting this afternoon. Mr T. Fookes, on behalf of the bar of Stratford, said he desired to express the deep regret of all members at the great loss they had sustained in the'untimely death of Mr Robert Spence. They Were proud to say''that Mr. Spence was a young New Zealander. After a brilliant farcer .■>', school and filling several responsible positions with credit, lie entered into business in Stratford in 1901. For sixteen years he continued to practise, and the results achieved were sterling testimony to his zeal and ability. He was a great worker, and devoted iy loyal to his.clients' interests, and never spared himself in his efforts to faithfully discharge his duty to those who entrusted their business to him. As a barrister he achieved great success, and had he removed, to one.of the larger centres, where he would have had more scope for his exceptional abilities, he'would have become one of the leaders of the bar in the Dominion. At great personal sacrifice Mr. Spence nobly offered his services as a soldier in the present war, and proceeding to the front, met his death on October 12. During his short military career he won the esteem and respect of nil ranks, and the loss of so promising an officer would be universally deplored. To the parents, brothers and sisters of the late Mr. R. Spence they offered their heartfelt sympathy in their loss. Stratford and Xew Zealand had sustained a loss that it was hard to estimate, but the memory of Robt. Rpeneo would ever live, and be held in th* hisrhest honor by those for whom he ha mud" the supreme sacrifice. The magistrate snid he had to endorse the remarks »f Vo: Fooke«. Personally, he did not -mv the late Mr. Spence, but he felt sum that he possessed ability that would .u>vc carried him far in the profession. It wan a source of regret tat they would not have the opportunity of welcoming, him homo again. Mr. Coleman, on behalf of the relatives, expressed appreciation of the remarks ! made by bench and bar. PRESENTATION TO F. KLEEMAN. Last evening the staff of the Midhirst Dairy Company waited on Mr. v. Kleeman, the late'manager, and made him a presentation of travelling rug and ease of pipes. Appropriate speeches were made by Messrs Wilden (12 years with the company), George Bennett (0 years), H. McKenzie (13 years and R. Milne, Tuna (11 years). Mr. Kleeman had been associated with the company for 17 years, and the length of time the employees named were also with the company is ample testimony to the excellent relations that always existed between the late manager and his fellow workers. A very enjoyable evening was spent by all, the time passing pleasantly with song and story, musical items being contributed by Mrs. Syme, Miss Kleeman and Messrs Wilden and Milne. FAREWELL TO 'PRIVATE D. SULLIVAN. The Town Hall was well filled with dancers and others at the farewell tendered to Private D. Sullivan, son of the borough engineer. During an interval the Mayor, in a short, but effective, address, wished the guest of the evening a safe and pleasant journey, and trusted he would return with honors and goon" health. The Mavor also mentioned that Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan had two other sons in the trenches, while a third had returned wounded. The Mayoress then buckled on a wristlet, watch, the gift of friends, after which cheers were given for the recipient, who briefly expressed his thanks. Songs were contributed by Mrs. Massey, Miss Sheahan and Mr. T. Wilson, all the items being very acceptable. Mrs. Bianchi (piano) and S. Parker (cornet) supplied the music for the dance, while extras were contributed by visitors and local pianists. GENERAL. ' Some time was token hip at the S.M. Court in hearing (he application of Samuel Gadsby to secure half cost of erection of dividing fence between his property and that of Thomas Ilu/.ziff, section 4. block 7. Ngacre S.T). Mr. Coleman represented Gadsbv, while Mr. King acted for Huzzifi'. Both contending parties went into the witness box. and after hearins evidence the magistrate (Mr. Crooke) announced that the fence should be erected, each partv to pay ha'.f cost. To-morrow (Saturday) the Stratford Ladies' Patriotic Committee hopes to obtain good results in the mart, tea rooms, etc., on behalf of the Y.M.C.A. funds. The Y.M.C.A. has accomplished much aood work at the front, and those contributing to this fund can rest assured Hint their help is well bestowed.

A Wanganui friend writes to me that. Stratford is gamins a fine musician and sterling citizen in Mr. L. Spurdle. who is leaving Wansanui to take up the conduetorship of the Stratford band, and also enters flie employment of Masters, Ltd. Besides taking an active interest in hand matters. Mr. Rpurdle has identified himsplf with church details, where his musical knowledge has been much availed of. The local bandsmen are very enthusiastic over Mr. Spnrdle's appointment. He is expected to arrive here on fupsdar next.

The A. and'P. Association delegates to Palmerston North returned home last night. Questioned regarding the Manaivaln Show, the opinion was that it was well up to standard, but the persistent, rain must have sent the receipts down with a bumb. and spoiled the pleasure of many patrons. Shopkeepers there must have had a good run in winter apparel, its many visitors found it necessary to purchase leggings, goloshes, etc., to enable them to move round with safety, if not in comfort. In case some readers of these columns should imagine it is always wet in Stratford, it is just as well to record that during October 17 days showed rain, 8.85 inches falling. Outside Inslewood the position was worse, or rather, damper, as there were only 10 dry days, and the total rainfall was 11.4S inches. That the Ladies' Patriotic Committee put the cash raised by the tea rooms, etc.. to practical use is plainly apparent by the appearance of the.rooms now. No less than 140 parcels were made during October, from material purchased from tea room funds. Rood luck to the ladies. May their machines continue to treadle merrily.

Mr. C. E. James has just opened up some very appropriate and beautiful Christmas cards for sending to soldiers nt the front, and friends in the Home Land. A very larga 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.