STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

'(From Our Own Correspondent.)' [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] WELL DONE, WHAREHUIAI Stratford, May 15. Details are now available as to the financial results secured by the Wharchuia Committee from their garden fete held in Mrs. Richmond's grounds and the concert in .Stanley Road schoolhousc. The balance-sheet shows produce sold £8 18s lid, sheep-guessing £1 Bs. sale oi' sheep £IS, afternoon tea £3 10s, coin guessing 3s 3d, bran tub £1 10s 4d, sweets and ice cream £3, fancy stall fU 15s !)d. gate money £2 8s 3d, cake guessing £1 19s, turkey £2 19s, camisole £7, sale of goods £-t Ss—total, £B2 0s Id. Concert: Box of butter £22 10s, cheese £l3 l. r >s, sweets 4s 4d, door money £0 18s, tickets £3, concert committee's donation from a previous fund £4 10s 3d, various donations collected by Mrs. Sangster (including a pony donated bv Mr. V. 11. Xolan £9 19s 3d—total £122 10s lid.

Expenditure: Music 12s, sundries £2 4s lid. The balance of £l2O has been sent to Mr. James Mcintosh, Wellington, treasurer for New Zealand for the Aotea Convalescent Home fund. The promoters desire to thank the band for attending, Mr. Fowler for taking performers to the schoolhouse, Mrs. McLaren and other entertainers, Miss Manoy for donating box of butter won by her, also the Midhirst Dairy Company for similar gift, and Mrs. Richmond for use of grounds. For a small community the results secured are very satisfactory, and indicate what can be gained by united action. The bulk of the work fell to Mrs. G. Sangster, and it is only fair that her services in this direction should be included in the thanks due to tho«e who made such a success of the fete and concert. Wharehuia's efforts might well be followed by other towns.

MUNICIPALISING FIRE BRIGADE. Firemen in uniform last night betokened something was astir, and. later on, when the motor engjne was run through Broadway and leads of water thrown on municipal building" the curious were convinced that something was really happening. But it was only a demonstration of the engine's fitness to cope with any outbreak that may occur. At the close of the trial, the firemen adjourned to the Borough Chambers, where tfhey found the Mayor and councillors awaiting them. Then it was found that the occasion marked the handing over to municipal control of the brigade and plant. Captain Grubb. in relinquishing control of the engine, stated that in the demonstration that evening, from the time of alarm till the four leads of water were in use. was 1% minutes, wfhereas. without the motor five minutes was good going. The engine was capable of conveying 10 firemen and the nocessarv plant for fire-fighting, besides the driver, and he thought the brigade possessed one of the best machines going and quite up to the citv motor engine He also related the history of the purchase of the motor chassis, and showed that the fund was initiated by ex-Fireman Bradley, nnd a. Queen Carnival fund started some years back and backed up by social?, concerts, etc., the financial barometer was pushed up to the £IOO mark. The borough grant to the brigade funds ( £6O) had been placed to the same purpose, whilst the next grant of £SO would also go to the purchase .price. Ratepayers would thus see that they possessed a motor engine at practically no cost. He also mentioned that Messrs A. W. Reid (engineering) and G. Smart were deserving of thanks for the work they had done in altering the car. The Mayor, after eulogising the work of Cnptain Grubb and his comrades for thpir unselfish work in keeping the brigade up to a high standard of efficiency, also expressed appreciation of the smart work accomplished that evening, which should convince all that they were fortunate in possessing such a useful and efficient plant. Whilst touching on this matter, his Worship indicated &e possibility that in the future the borough might require that the captain should be in the borough employ, and thus be responsible to the borough for the general upkeep and care of same.

Ex-Lieutenant Stewart and others added a few remarks, a very .deasant hour beinp spent on reminiscences. The fiolf Club opened their season this afternoon. The day was a gl.irous one, and Iho open'iig was vcrv successful. GENERAL. Whilst hushfelling, way oui beyond Whangamomona. a young man named Tom Terry received injuries that necessitated his removal to the hospital Jierd. His comrades had to carry him over 20 mile? to Whangamomona. Terry's injuries were to the legs, whilst it is also thought he has sulTered internally. The tceideiit \v>'.* o.i:i=;-:l through a tree, whilst in Vr.e ac;. of fall ng .-wingng round and str-Itirjjj the axeman.

T. LAMASON'S WEEKLY REPORT. My usual sale of poultry, produce, furniture, etc., was held last week, when a good entry came to hand. There is a splendid demand for pullets, one that cannot be met. We quote as follows: Hens Is 3d to 2s, ducks 2s to 2s Gd, cockerels Is 3d to 2s, turkey gobblers up to 12s, hens 5s to (is, pullets 3s Gd tc 4a 3d, potatoes Ss to 10s (id per ewt., pumpkins 7s to 7s Gd per sack, apples 2s (id to os, pears 4s to 4s Gd, furniture and sundries at usual auction rates.

T. Lamason"s weekly sale is advertised for Saturday, when a line of good pullets, a quantity of fruit and pumpkins, and !• dine of blankets will be auctioned.

The long winter evenings are to hand. So those who find time tedious will be pleased to learn that Mr. C. E. James 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.