STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent-) [All communications, letters', etc-, left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] Stratford, May 30. A. AND I'. ASSOCIATION. ! The decision of (lie president (Mr. .T. i W- Boon) to accept re-nom'iiaiion for a further term of ofliee lias caused a general feeling of :;it'-e .iri :;>» amongst, the members of that a--n,;iat. on. During his term o-f ollice, Mr. Boon lias put Jiis same enthusiasm into it that lie puts in anything he undertakes, and members are assured that the interests of the association will continue to have the closest attention as in the past. There are, naturally, a few who believe that the president's office should be a rolling one, and the present gentleman occupying that honor believes in the principleFortunately, there are others who do not hold that view, believing that a good man can make the position something more than a figurehead, and this has been demonstrated by Mr. Boon. The member some would like to see marked out for future honor is Mr. Campbell Jackson, and if any worker merited the position, Mr. Jackson is the man for the joli. Br.l just now he is not hankering after it, and at the last meeting, whilst explaining his own position, lie made it abr.nuantly clear that he desired Mr. Boon should have a furtiier term of ollice, and there is no doubt he will prove, as in the past, one of the president's most reliable and ardent workers. Mr. -Jackson, as a member of the Borough Council, president of the Egmont Club, and directly or indirectly inter- ! e-te-i in i (her public bodies, finds bis time fully occupied. In the meantime, i.ic |>ri~. lit president accepts nomination for a further term of ofiice, and he is entitled to. and will certainly receive, the loyal assistance of. all who take a " interest in this progressive association. THE TOKO FATALITY. At the courthouse this morning an inniKvi was held on the body of Clarence Darcy Rogers, IS years, wlio died in the Straiiovd 110.-pital on Tuesday evening from injuries received w'.iibt engaged in stumping work at Gordon Road, Toko. Tile jury comprised Messrs W. Robinson 'foreman), IV. Lauder, H. Edgecombe, T- Aviwar.l. W. W Hodge, and W. Pinhe- Mr C, f). Sole (coroner) conducted the inquiry, whilst Sergeant Dale led tile evidence. TT. Rogers, road foreman. Douglas, stated that deceased was his son, and lind a fair experience of this class of work. After the ace'dent. lie visited the U>:':ii'iy. and considered it quite safe where the boy was working. ■ tosi-ph Lister. farmer, Gordon Road, said h.' had been farming there for about 10 years, and had considerable experiI cr.cv in .stumping and felling trees. Deceased had been with him for a eonsider:i:,ie time, and was quite strong and healthy. Oil Monday the boy started h's work, but Witness did not join him till ■ the afternoon. About 3.3(1 tliev com-, mencc.'l on a tawa tree, which was abnu', | IS i'-!''ii''s tiir.m«li and 40 feet j„ licisht. : having a clean bar,-el «f about 2-") feet, j Tiie tree had a natural lean. They made [a hole at the foot of the tree for pow- | dor, and put in about 10 plugs of geligjniie. lo do this, it was necessary to cut several roofs to get the explosive I 1 n 1'- posit on. . Rogers was I with tlie work. V.'ent away till (lie cxI plosion occurred, and on returning found it was not a Mict'ostifu 1 sliot, sovoi'Jtl roots on one side only T>oin£ blown away, the tree standing in the «nme position. Before dcing anything further, lie made another examination of the tawa above ami beiow the ground. After pulling the loose roofs away, he started chopping the roois away on the other side. lie then obtained a jack (o lever the tree over. Whilst: witness was using the jack, deceased continued chopping the roots, both being at the butt of the tawa together. The tree appeared (o be very firm just (hen- A piece of timber came down and broke, a portion about liu thick and Cft long. This struck the youth on the head. Witness pulled the boy away, and laid him on a rug. He wa s then unconscious, but afterwards recovered. He asked him where lie wa>j hurt, deceased replying in the head and was feeling very bad- Assistance was secured, aijd the injured youth removed to the hospital. In reply to a question, witness stated that the top part of (he tawa was dead, but, it was a solid green tree. Dr. Stevens' evidence mainly related to the nature of the wounds, a fractured skull. An operation was performed, but deceased became worse, and died on the Tuesday evening. W tlioiit retiring, the, jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and passed a vote of condolence with the parents. GENERAL. Great expectations are being formed of the farewell social to be tendered to Captains Hine and Urquhart at the Coronation Hall to-morrow (Friday) night. The committee are making every effort to ensure that this social will be tho event of the year, and are leaving un(urncd 110 ell'orts to secure this desiralble result- BotTi captains have to report for duty shortly, and this will probably mean their farewell public appearance. hence the desire of the Patrotic Committee of Toko to do justice to the occasion. A number of Stratford favorites have notified their intention of assisting. Mrs. Bianchi and Mr. S. Parker wiil supply the dance music. The Lowgarth people are also holding a farewell social tha saj£» evening to Private Frank Angus. Mr. Charles If. Fox will preside at the piano for the dance, and will be the accompaniist for tho votai items. Those who attend the Lowgarth function can certainly rely on spending a pleasant evening. T. LAMA SON'S WEEKLY REPORT. Last Saturday my usual wekly sale was held at the Marl. Good hens, pullets, and ducks are in good demand. I quote as follows: —Tlens Is Gil to 2s 3d, pullets 4s to Gs. "Potatoes: Local, 14s to los per sack; prime Rangitikei, 10s fid per cwt. Pumpkins, (is to 7s lid sackOnions, lid per tb. Factory liacoji, Is 2d to Is -Id per lb. Cauliflowers, 2s to 4s dozen Apples, :(s (id to Ss case; pears, ditto. Furniture and sundries at recent auction rates. T. Lamason's usual weekly sale is advertised for Saturday, when a quantity of poultry, produce, New Zealand and Island fruit will be sold. The long winter evenings are to handSo 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 nolidav, wedding, or christening gift, you will certainly find same amongst the many thousands of articles 011 sale at C. iO. James's warehouse. —Advt.