STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent-) [All eommunicntio.is, letters, etc., left with Mr. 11. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] EFFICIENCY BOARD TRUSTEES. Stratford, May 13. There was a very representative meeting of the Efficiency Board Tiustees of Taranaki, held in the Municipal Chiimbors this morning, Mr. .1. B. Murdoch (Hawera) was in the chair, and others present included: Messrs. Morton and Percival (Inglewood)-, S. Pitt and J. Masters (Stratford), 11. Dunn (Auroa), 0. J. Belcher (Elthem), E. Dixon (Hawera). T. Winks (Hawera), T. MePhillips (Manaia), J. T. Quin and E. Parrott (Eltliam), R. Dingle (Stratford). C. Andrews and J. R. Rowlands (Taranaki County), F. J. Hill and E. Whittle (New Plymouth), J. Burgess (Warea), E. Muxwell (Opunake), W. A. McCutchan and A. Meredith (Whangamomona), S. Napier, \V. H. Watkins, A. L. Elmslie, J. C. Palmer, and Graham (Waverley-Patea). K. K. Williams (Olmra), W. T>. Powdrel) (Hawera). Apologies were received from Messrs. T. Furlong, J. S. Connett and W. L. Kennedy. The chairman, in opening the meeting, briefly explained the reasons for calling the meeting, and then read correspondence from Mr. Moss, in regard to reviewing appeals which had been adjourned sine die. and the repatriation of soldiers who desire to take up farm work. A good deal of discussion ensued on the sine die question, and a motion was carried: "That, in the opinion of this meeting of trustees, in the case of all personal appeals brought before the Military Service Board the local trustees be asked to report on the facts of eacli ease before the granting of sine die exemption, and to make a recommendation thereon. A further resolution was carried: "That all past sine die exemptions be referred to the Trustees Board to report on." There was a good deal of discussion on the matter of calling up expert labor, and it was resolved: "That all dairy companies should lodge appeals in the cases of expert members of their staff being called up for service." On the motion of Messrs. Powdrell and Dunn it was resolved: "That the trustees recognise the need of releasing everv available man to help to win the war, but it is imperative in the interests of the staple industries of the country that its expert men be retained, and the Efficiency Board be requested to urge on the authorities the necessity for retaining such experts."

SOIftIERS ON THE LAND. On resuming after lunch, the chairman reverted back to Mr. Moss's letter regarding the placing of soldiers on the land, and quoted a portion: ' ; That there is now an opportunity of improving matters in tin's connection to some extent, and that is by training soldiers who are returning and desiring to take np farm work." Mr. Murdoch stated that as far as he knew there were very few men in the T:\ranaki Province who were unable to go en the land if fit to do so. In the cities the position was different, and it was a serious question whether it. would pay to give these men nil the instruction. They had Government farms at Moumahaki, Levin, Waikato. etc., and he believed these would be the most desirable places. He had given the matter considerable thought, but hnd no suggestion to make. Perhaps others had also reviewed the matter and would give their views. Mr. S. Pitt said that, as far as Stratford was concerned, they had the War Association and Patriotic Committee looking after the interests of the returned soldiers. They were giving every protection and assistance. Mr. It. fi;i;in snid the War Association had been able to find employment for all who wanted same, and he did not think there were many out of work. He thought that Mr. Kirkwood could give information.

The chairman Raid there might bo a lot of men returning, and the authorities wen ted something to go upon. Mr. MePhillips considered it useless to put men on the land who had 110 experience. H had been suggested that these soldiers should be put on experimental farms, and he agreed. T'.p men deserved an opportunitv <o wr-' „ , ~\. Mr. T. Wink.', said' the G ''* ..;nnit had the matter in its own hands. Mr. Maxwell said the question was more for the War Association. He also thought the Government should get into it. War expenses were becoming enormous, and they should not cavil at a few thousands. Our chief need was to make the farms up to their usual capacity, and he questioned whether the returned soldiers could do that. Apart from that, he believed they should render all assistance possible, but there was little doubt that the State farms were the best means of initiating the soldier. Mr. Dunn thought the Government might do much in the matter. They could utilise tire soldier to break in the land under the supervision of men who bad gone through the mill, and under this method they could help to bring the land to a higher standard of productivity.

Mr. Maxwell moved: That this meet- p ing is of opinion that the War Relief e Association is doing all that the KfHcien- e cy Trustees could do in the direction of v placing returned soldiers on the land."— 1: Carried. v The chairman and Messrs Masters and r Dixon expressed appreciation of the I work of the War Association. The chairman then touched on the value of experimental farms, and moved: "That the facilities at the existing State farms should be at once extended, so as to meet the needs in the direction of training returned soldiers for farm life: The trustees would be glad to record and send forward to the Efficiency Board 1 the names of any farmers wishing to ' take any returned soldier on to his ; farm.—Seconded by Mr. Williams. ' FARMS GOING BACK. The chairman said there was another matter that required consideration, and that was the state of farms of those who had gone to the" front. He had thought the farms were all right, but had since heard that this was not so, and called upon Mr. MeCutchan, Whangamomona, to explain the position. I Mr. MeCutchan said that in the back of Stratford the position was very bad; land was steadily going back in value. There were quite a number of farms that were not actually abandoned, but pretty close to that condition. Some had been left to the control of others, but those undertaking these duties had lost labor themselves, and the work was 1 getting beyond them. The Government should certainly do something in the " matter. In taking up land the man rey quired good stock, capital and experi- '• ence. Without these it was no good, I and would lead to chads. He was sorry e to have to give an adverse report 'on the '• condition of the back country, but that was how he found matters.

« Ths chairman said he did not know

whether they could alter matters. Ail recognised that matters were becoming worse. UTILISING HORSEFLESH. Mr. S. Pitt brought up the question of superfluous horses. There was evidently a market for these in other countries, and lie moved: "That this meeting urges upon the Efficiency Board the desirability of some means being devised v/liercbyj the surplus and useless horses could be killed and the products utilised, and that the Government he urged to permit same."—Seconded by Mr. McCutchan. Mr. Powdrell said if the Government granted permission, the meat works could attend to this matter. There was a market in other lands for horseflesh, which they could purchase at a low figand put on the foreign market at a small margin of profit. g. The ehainmin concurred. At the present time there were a lot of useless animals consuming feed that might go to sheep and cattle. Mr. Dunn thought the Government should be urged to allow this to be done.

In reply to a question, Mr. Powdrell . said the works could buy the horses and then do their killing in the slack time of the year, when the beef and mutton season was over. It would pay the works to hold the horses and kill as shipping permitted. The motion was then carried. GENERAL. The patriotic shop on Saturday secured £0 2s lOd, and the tea rooms £7 ss. The vase was won by Mrs. Kivell, camisole by Miss Smart, and the cake went to Mrs. North. The Card Club had an enjoyable opening evening, the A's scoring 22 points to the B's 23. To-night the carriers meet the club members. On paper, Stratford appears to have a very fair team to play against Hawera in the hockey match here on Wednesday. The players chosen are: Backs, R. O'Neill, R. Muir and D. Cameron; halves, K. Waters, A. Smart and F. Ranford; forwards, A. Betts, N. Stevens, A. Hampson, W. Harris and R. Curtis. There were quite a number of visitors to town to-day. The Efficiency Trustees made the Municipal Chambers look very busy, while the glorious sunshine also tempted many to venture out of doors. Information has been received here that Lieutenant C. J. Pierce, who was one of the first to enter Joppa, and was awarded the M.C., has since been promoted to the rank of captain, promotion that will cause a good deal of pleasure to those who know the young man.

MASTERS' LTD. The carpenter's saw and the man behind the cement shovel are likely to be kept very busy for some time to come in erecting the new premises for Masters, Ltd., on the quarter-acre section on tlie western side of Broadway North. The building will be of ferro-concrete with a frontage of forty feet, running back eighty feet. The structure will be one storey, with the roof arranged for a second storey. The front portion will be devoted to the retail portion of the business and will afford ample room to show all goods to the best possible advantage. Immediately behind will be two rooms, one for the manager and the other for accountants. A strong room will also be in close provimity. At the rear a4ox GO store and packing room will be available, whilst the bulk store, 3fi x 145, will run the full length of the building on the northern side. A passage way for motor delivery, car or horse waggon, will run down an alleyway, and a raised floor should prove a decided convenience, in the handling of heavy produce, ironmongery, cement etc. The premises will have a circulating hot water system. The building will cover a complete quarter-acre, and the. cost approximately is £4OOO. The progress of the firm lias been ? toady, bearing testimony to the integrity of the firm and the confidence of the public. Established in 1R79 by Mr. .1. Masters with his son, Roberts as assistant, progress has been continuous, until now there are fourteen employees on the pay-sheet. The firm have several aaencies and conduct business throughout Tnranaki. Their enterprise in keeping up with the times is com-' liicmlaMc und betokens an optimistic belief in the future of Stratford that should be shared by all in the district. Some men make the culture of chrysanthemums a business, others n hobby. One of the latter is Sergeant Dale, of this town. He takes a keen interest in this particular variety, and lovers of the beautiful will see a wealth of blooms that would do credit to any show competition, growing at the police station. There must be quite thirty varieties, anl the colors are of the richest and most brilliant. Whatever traders of Stratford may say of the weather and the rain, there are others who can say that the sunshine is long and strong enough to produce blooms equal to the best in the province.

The long winter evenings arc to hand. So those who find time tedious will be pleased to learn that Mr. C. E. .Tames has just opened up some fine winter pastimes—games that will instruct the child and interest the parent. Those who enjoy a good book can obtain great variety here, whilst if in search of a holiday, wedding, or christening gift, you will certainly find same amongst the many thousands of articles on sale at C. E. James's warehouse. —Advt.