STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

[All communications, letters, etc., left With Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.]

THE NEW COUNTY COUNCIL.

Stratford, Nov. 3. The last meeting of the County Council as at present constituted will'he held next Wednesday. The writer lias .been trying to find out the intentions «f councillors, and so far the only definite retirement, is that of Cr. Worthingtnn, of the Manga elm Riding, and his successor will probably be Mr. Court. Ors. Walter ■anil Were are likely to be returned without opposition, but in the South Ridinsr Ors. Christoffel and T. Coleman are like"ly to be opposed by Mr. Fryday, who has polled very well on previous occasions. Cr. Christoffel. after 17 years at the council table, is not so keen on re-election, and it would not.surprise the writer if he does not come up for nomination. In the West Riding Crs. Smith land Anderson are likely to be opposed by Mr. Haneoek." In the north there is also likely to be a contest, as efforts are being made to get Mr. W. Rutledge to come out in opposition to the chairman (Cr. Hatliaway) and Cr. Baskin. A little feeling is creeping into matters here, and the contest should awaken more than passing interest. Probably Wednesday's meeting will throw more light on the subject. i ' METHODIST CONCERT.

| The Methodist Hall in Regan Street was well filled last night, when a very successful concert was given in aid of the Sunday school funds. The first part was given by senior members who had been trained by Mrs. Moon. The items contributed were as follow:—Piano duet, Misses P. Weston and N. Reira; duets, Misses K. Martin and E. Cartwright, I. Moon and J. McLean, Miss Moon and Mr. Weston; songs Mrs. F. Dixon, Miss .1. McLean, Miss Phillips. Messrs T. Ranford. P. Aitken, and J. Weston; violin solos. Miss M. Hopkins and Master Donald White; recitations, Misses Rowe and Birdie Foster and Master A. Cameron; glees, "Sleep, Baby, Sleep," and "Bells," by the choir. The accompanists were Misses Moon. Hopkins (2), and Rogers. The Rev. R. Tinsley occupied the chair. The singing of the National Anthem concluded ■ a very enjoyable evening.

The Ladies' Patriotic Committee's tearooms and mart presented a busy scene to-day, when the Women's Christian Temperance Union ran the rooms and a street stall in aid of the funds of the Y.M.GA. Good business appeared to be done, but the financial lines were not available when these lines were penned.

The vita) statistics for October were: Births 17, deaths 2, marriages 5. Air. R. Soilness, manager of the Kaponga Dairy Factory, has had bad luek witli his sons at the front. L. C. Neil Soilness left with the Main Body and was twice wounded at flallipoli. When the news was made known that there was a possibility of the Main Body coming to New Zealand on furlough there was joy in the family. Since then the sad news has come to hand that Neil was killed in action on October 4. Three months earlier Gunner Cecil C. Soilness, who left with the 15th Reinforcements, died of wounds, the date being July 4. A third son, Christopher J., who left with the 7th Reinforcements, ha 3 been wounded. Despite these sad happenings Mr. Souness keeps a stiff upper lip, meets his troubles with resignation, and makes a brave showing whilst surrounded with disasters.

Whilst on Kaponga fatalities, I notice that Willie Faull has fallen in battle. 'He and his brother Harry were amongst the first to go to the front. I believe Harry made the supreme sacrifice early in the war, and now the second brother becomes a memory only. There are many who will read these lines with regret, as the two young men were manly in every sense of the word.

Mr. C. E. James has just opened up some very appropriate and beautiful Christmas cards for sending to soldiers at the front, and triends 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.