STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent). [All communications, letters, etc., left With Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] HOSPITAL BOARD. Wtralford, Nov. 14. The monthly meeting of the Hospital Hoard was held yesterday. Present: Messrs J. McAllister (chairman). J. l.'hristoll'el. A. Meredith, I!. MeK. Morison, .1. Sniiih, C. M. Sole, and E. Walter. resignation of trie matron, Mrs. I'usudl, was accepted with regret, the hoard expressing appreciation of the 'cry capable manner in which she had tarried out her duties. The chairman reported that Nurse S. 0. Becdle, who is succeeding Mrs. l'us-sc-11, would take up her duties on December g.

Miss liroderick was placed on the pro bationers' list.

Some discussion ensued regarding the calling up for military service of Dr. Cooper, of Eltham. ' Communications were received from Eltham bodies desiring the board to co-operate in placing the position of Eltham before the Medi" cal Hoard in the event of Dr. Cooper being railed up. It M-a* pointed out that the Eltham practitioner assisted at times at the hospital here. Members generally were sympathetic to Eltham's application, and eventually a. resolution was carried. '•That the board recognises that it would be a hardship to the people of Eltham and part of (lie Stratford hospital district if Dr. Cooper were called up for -ervico, unless the Government finds a suitable substitute."

Dr. Steven, medical superintendent, reported that during the montli 2* patients were admitted, 27 were discharged, and there was one death. Sixteen remained in the hospital, and five in the isolation ward. Ten operations were performed under anaesthetics;.

Mr. A. flray. health inspector, reported two cases of diphtheria in .Stratford borough, and two eases of diphtheria and one of enteric in the county. As several of the members were retiring, pending re-appointment* as representatives of the councils, the cji.i.jnnan took occasion of the meeting tn thank the members for the attention and confederation they had given to hospital matters, and wished thani every success as future representatives. Messrs Walter. CliristnfTel, Smith, Meredith, and Morison all replied, reciprocating the I kindly expressions of the chairman.

FAREWELLIXG THE 3otbs. There was again a large attendance nf the public at the farewell accorded lo rbe men leaving for camp this morning. Outside the pest office, aft-T receiving hold'-ails presented by the Ladies' Patri" otic. Committee, the men were addressed by the. Mayor and Rev. .1. D. Madill. Both speeches were brief but congratutat«ri> to the men. and expressing apprecistlsr. of the efforts being made by the JoPecs at the front. Tiiose entraining were Tt. Franks, S. Simmons, \Y. ITiiule. R. McHuire. .T. O'Brien, R. CI. Vnr.'-r and L. Roberts.

The Town Rand, under Conductor L. Spin-die, .turned out in full force, and their piaying of several marches was very favorably rveived, the general opinion being that the band had already made a step fonvorrt in music anil marching. It was also pleasing to note that several of the old hands were out lmving a "blow." and with the assistance o* thesr, the band should soon reach tiie slayo of efficiency the conductor aims a:.

CHAMBER OP COMMERCE. A meeting of the executive was held last evening. In his address the presi'dent (Mr. J. B. Richards) stated tlmt tlie Chamber had not been as active as usual owing to the war, and to the fact that the patriotic committees had been attending to the principal needs of the district. Under normal conditions there were some questions that should engage attention. 'Regarding the StratfordOkalnikura railway construction, matters should be speeded up and the section beyond Whangamomona opened for traffic. This would confer a great benefit tn both Taranaki and Auckland, but shortage of labor made one reluctant to press the speeding-up policy. The telephone communication between Tahora and Tatu had engaged their attention for years, but the Public Works •!>- partment could not be prevailed upon to have it constructed. Were this done it would greatly facilitate business operations between Olmra and Stratford. He next touched upon the coal deposits in the Tangarakau, and thought the dairy companies might well interest themselves in this question, and perhaps mine the coal for their own use. In the neighborhood were. 3000 acres of bush that might be turned to profitable account. T!ie next feature was that of security, efficiency, and economy of ocean communications. It was obvious that our progress and welfare depended absolutely on ocean transport. There were two options open, one to continue under the shadow of the big trust, or to establish our own -shipping. The chamber had initiated a movement to establish a Producers' Shipping Company, by means of a levy to be sanctioned by Parliament. Mr. Richards next referred to the dairy industry. In spite of the depletion of labor by the war the butter-fat production had been well maintained, but a decrease had to be recorded, and probably this would continue till the soldiers returned. The following table shows the production of butter-fat in the district for I he past six years: /

19'1-12 .tv..., .1257.40011, ini'M-'l ..■ 3.772:2211b ' !, in-i! •..• 4.oin.so4ii> ini4-].5 .-,., 4.058,20011) l»l. r >-lfl , 4,G21,5651b ]»1«-17 , 4.227,0051b Prices for primary produce had been very good, but the progressive settler had been hampered by the shortage of labor and such necessities as wire staples and galvanised iron. He regretted that non-essential imports were freely brought to the Country whilst essential imports were neglected. Mr. R. Masters said a statement had been made by the Minister of Public Works that the construction of the line to Tahora would be completed about Christmas, and would remain at this stage for some years. He thought the Chamber should protest against this decision. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson had protested at the time the statement was made. Thi s line was of the greatest importance to Taranaki. He had personally visited the Oh lira district and felt sure it had great trading possibilities, and lie thought Xew Plymouth people should concentrate their efforts upon the construction of the Stratford-Main Trunk line instead of the round-the-mountain railway. New Plymouth had a harbor and should be looking to the I future import and export trade, and

until the line went through (he Ohura very Utile trade from that "district would go to New Plymouth's port, 'lie wa< convinced there was going to be a big trade through the breakwater, and the more trade through the province so much lets rates would be required. Ohura was !()!) miles nearer New Plymouth than Auckland, and with direct boats the former port, would secure all the trade. Uc recognised that the time was inopportune, to a*k for expenditure of money, but ho reminded members that an equal sum ( .£23,000) was down on the estimates for both lines, but the Vahnra line, he was sure, was of more vital importance than the Opannko line. He moved that the chamber protest against the statement of the Minister of Public Works that the line shall be held np at Tahora, and that representations be made to the Premier and the Hon. W. Eraser on the matter. The motion was seconded by Mr. Thomson and carried. ■ The Taranaki and llawera. Chambers of Commerce solicited support in urging the speeding up of the morning train from ITawera, but the chamber resolved that, in view of the war conditions, it could not support any representations to the Government on'this mutter. It was resolved that Messrs Richards and Hewitt wait upon the Borough Council regarding a petition received by the chamber from settlers at Pohokura. and Ta'hora, requesting the .Department to allow trains to arrive in Btr,atford at '11.25 a.m., instead of 1.15 p.m., on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The traffic manager is to be informed that the 'chamber strongly supports the petition. A number of people are now"'excrcising their minds as to what to send to absent friends. Their dilemma will soon be a things/ the past if they call at Mr. C. E. James' jewellery warehouse and note the line Christmas cards, greetings, etc., he has for sale. The shelves are also crowded with those little trinkets so dear to tho feminine minds. Now, young men, don't forget tho ladies! Ladies, don't forget absent faces.