STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(Frpm Our Own Correspondent). GIFT AUCTION SALE. Stratford, Jan. 20. Mr. W. P. Kirkwoud was voted to. the chair at the general committee meeting held in the Municipal Chambers this afternoon. Others present were: 'Vssrn W. .1. Orawshaw,,A. F. Grant, K. ... u-ay, .). P.. Richards, W. 11. Young, D. .1. Malone, H. Iv. Abraliam, K. Walter, V. Smith, I'hlenberg and R. McK. Morison. Apologies were received from the Mayor (Mr. .1. W. B. H. Nolan. Reports from the canvassers showed that Douglas had totalled £3O (incomplete), Lowgarth £3O (incomplete), Beaeonslield road £OO (incomplete) and Te Wera .t7O to £IOO (incomplete). These amounts, are plus about £2OO previously to hand.

The Loan and Mercantile Co. offered their paddock for accommodation of stock, and Mr. Morison said he would willingly place ft 4-aero paddock at the corner of Warwick and Mountain road, at the disposal of the committee for stock one week prior to sale.

The chairman and Messrs Crawshaw and Richards, with the auctioneers, were appointed to canvass the town for donations, gifts, etc. The chairman stated that they had placed an advertisement in the Daily News and Stratford Post. This was a direct appeal to all to assist in building up the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. With united action they should he able to reach the total desired— £2OOO.

Mr. D. J. Malope said they were getting a good deal of cash in hand, but he thought they should use a portion of '•That Messrs S. Pitt and V. Smith bo this to purchase stoofc, and he moved: instructed to purchase stock up to £.500." They wanted to push the appeal along and boom .the sale, and should endeavor to have a. big yarding.

Mr. W. H. Were (Toko), Mr. Newton King, and the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company all offered their accommodation paddocks for the use of the canvassers, and they, with Mr. Morison, were thanked for'assistance rendered in this direction. * The general committee, canvassers and others interested in the gift auction sale will meet again next Saturday, at 1.30 p.m. The Lowgarth contributors were: M. McMabon, G. Styles, E. A. Gray, Grif. Jones, £5 eacTiT J. Richards, £2 2s; A. Burke, E. S. Bennett, L. Taylor. W. Brett. D. Kenn;- E. Hartwigg, Mrs. K. Kilbride, .tl Is 'each; Mrs. Coales, £1; A. F. Cull', pony. There are three or four more settlers on the road to be seen. GENERAL Included in the last list of those killed in action is that of Rifleman J-. K. Cresswell, of the First Rifle Brigade. Cresswell attended the Stratford School, and nrior to the outbreak of the war was on .lie school's probationary class. After two years' active service "finis" has been written to a career full of promise. His parents at one time were farming at Ngaere. but are now understood to be in Blenheim. Lieutenant R. Wood has notified his relatives that he will be leaving shortly for Now Zealand. There arc many Stratfordit?s who will be pleased to hear this news. "Bob" has had some wonderful experiences, and has won many honors on the field of battle.

Efforts are being made to get Dr. Thatcher, MP., to deliver*a political address here on his return from Auckland. Things politically in Taranaki are as dead as the proverbial door nail, and an address by the Christchnrch member would prove \ ry acceptable. Dr. Thacker has certainly attracted a good deal of attention in and out of Parliament, and would command a good hearing here. Mr. W. T. Mills, Campbell road, Eltham, formerly of Midhirst, has received a letter from his son, 'Lance-Corporal Mills, who left with the 13th Reinforcements. He writes a very chatty letter, during which he mentions that after a struggle in France he returned to Britain, and has had the good fortune to visit relatives in Scotland. 'His writing of the work accomplished in the wet, muddy wastes of "No Man's Land" give a very clear picture of the tribulations our soldiers are going through. Incidentally, he pays a tribute to the stretcherbearers, who have anything but a pleasant task carrying the wounded through a mixture of mud and slush, frequently up to tile thighs. He was very fortunate iii the last "bust-up," but many of his' mates found the gunfire too accurate. It is very frequently a perplexing dntj in trying to discover just what would please him for a birthday gift. Don't (rouble any longer, but just hasten to C. E. James' warehouse, and if he prefers a pipe you will find the best varieties here, ditto smokes. If he likes literature choice reading will be found on the shelves. If in need of military brushe.*, the shop for the purchase is C. E. James', and don't forget it."