STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Out Own Correspondent). [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] Stratford, Bee. 29. Mr. Griffith Jones, of Mahoe, has received information through the Defence Department that his son, Private David Jones, has been awarded the Military Medal. Sir James Allen also forwarded his congratulations. His parents have also received a letter relating details, and I have been permitted to make the following extracts: "Belgium, Oct. 12, 1917.—We have just had another scrap with Fritz, and. of course, I had to bring back .several souvenirs, so that I iook like Buffalo Bill when I'm dressed up. We had a great time, and, though our casualties were heavy, we were also able to inflict a lot of damage on the Huns, so everybody is well satisfied. For a wonder, our company was the first to go over, and I was in charge of the bombers, as the noncommissioned officers were mostly kept out. Everything started right, but a German machine-gun got busy and held them up. One of my mates, an ex-sergeant-major, was shot thronj-h the heart. I stopped to see if I could do anything, when I spotted the gun doing the damage, so set off with my bag of bombs to settle them. The "first fell short, but settled two of them, and the next landed right amongst them, killing the remaining three, and ; putting the gun out of action. Grabbing a rifle off a wounded sergeant I accounted for five or six more that were in adjacent shellholes'. I can safely say I settled more Germans during that busy five minutes than during the last eighteen months. There were several similar instances of hand-to-hand fighting, and, of course, several recommendations have been sent in, and no doubt a few medals will be dished out, but don't know whether I shall be one of the lucky ones or not. We only held thp new line for forty hours before being' relieved, and it was quite long enough with no coat or blankets." The success of Private Jones, who is well-known in this district, is very pleasing, particularly round Mahoe where his parents have been the recipients of many congratulations at their son's success.' Indications point to a crowded house on Monday evening, when the new King's Cinema Theatre will he opened. An attractive programe has been secured, the big film being "Madcap Madge," which delighted film patrons at Everybody's, New Plymouth. The gross proceeds go to the local Patriotic Society, who will nlace same to the credit of the Wounded i Soldiers' Fund.

There Las been a steady demand for l.ickets in connection with the band benefit at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. A varied and complete programme has been arranged, and should form a most acceptable means for winding up the day's sporting. The object of the entertainment is 1 to Wild up a uniform and instrument fund, so those who patronise the Town Hall will be helping a good" cause. A dance follows the concert. An inebriate arrested last night was convicted and discharged at the S.M. Court this morning by Mr. C, I> Sole J.P. Railway passengers at Tariki to-day were surprised ,and amused to notice four schoolboys of tender years engaged in shovelling coal. Although the handle? were much too long, the boys appeared to relish their task, and were making good progress during the few minutes thj? train was at the station. The Tariki Hall is full of cheese awaiting shipment, and if the summer heat gets too strong perhaps some of it may deteriorate rapidly. Some comment has been occasioned at the action of some of the 'business people closing down last Thursday after the Association had decided to open that day. The president of the Association (Mr. James) considers that if any blame was deserved it should 'lie on the individual rather than the Association.

The business done in Stratford during Christmas week was quite up to expectations. There wa s a food run on the jewellery store of Mr. C. E. James, and this was not surprising, seeing the great variety and excellent value lie was offering. It is some years since Mr. James opened business here, and his thorough study of the district's requirements is perhaps the secret of his success—plus good value in every article." December. 1917. will soon be only a memory. There is. however, an opportunity still to take advantage of the great range of artistic jewellery, brooches, and bangles, that Mr. Ben. ■T. Peters, jeweller, has for sale. Those in searcli of seasonable gifts can find their wants satisfied by visiting bis premises.*