STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receire prompt attention.] ARTETRTAT. ROADS. Stratford, June 18. At Saturday's meeting of the County Council s request was made by the Ohinemuri Comity that the Government should be requested to take over and maintain the main arterial roads in the North Island. ' The chairman (Cr. Walter) said he thought the Ohinemuri County was asking more than it could get. It would be a good thing if the Government took the roads over, but he did not think it was a workable proposition, and, from what he had seen of public works, it would not be an improvement. County councils usually had. better plants, and could do better work. . It might also lead to dissatisfaction amongst local bodies, who would imagine they were not fairly treated compared with other counties. However, the Government might subsidise rates better than it did. Cr. Anderson did not approve. It looked to him that the request was from a county that had started out to prepare roads and could not complete them with the funds available, and desired the Government's assistance. Cr. Were was decidedly against any [change. The same letter had been bejfore other Taranaki counties, and there fwas "nothing doing." He moved that ;the letter be "received," and this was the fate, of the request. GENERAL. Nurse Cameron, daughter of Mr. R. H. Cameron, who is on a troopship, has returned to Stratford on a short visit. The trip out was most enjoyable, but an epidemic of influenza made things a bit uncomfortable. The weather to-day has been vile, heavy showers falling. Some of the paddocks between Midhirst and Stratford, as viewed from the railway, are one vast sheet of water. The Catholic social on Thursday evening should attract a large attendance of dancers and others. The prices, 3s double ticket and 2s single ticket, are low enough to suit all pockets. The committee will have the Town Hall floor in the best of condition, so dancers will have nothing to complain of on that score. Amongst the passengers by a recent transport was one of the officers of the steamer Walknre, which, before the war, came to New Plymouth, and afterwards was sunk by gunfire by German warships, and subsequently raised and sold to the American Government. The passenger mentioned above was one of a crew of a vessel captured by the raider Wolf, and during his enforced stay saw the German pirate several vessels. The IMence regulations prevent further d? tails 'of some interesting reminiscences. The usual fortnightly session of the Court will be held on Friday next. A fair amount of cml business is down for hearing, but the police list is a short one.

The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) is at I preaent out of town. The monthly meetjing of the council is therefore held over till next Monday evening. This morning several workers in butter and cheese factories commenced their annual pilgrimage to Palmerston North, where they will be able to pass judgment o& the exhibits and hunt up a few old faces. Several directors- were also on the train.

The eyes of the world 'are centred on the great German offensive, but the eyes of the thrifty wife are focussed on the good goods at small prices being offered by Mr. C- E. James. His premises are replete with the useful and ornamental. Goldware, silverware, copperware, and crockeryware are to be found on the shelves and in packages- Mr. Man is also catered for, and he can smoke the fragrant weed, carry a walking-stick, and in his pocket choice reading matter, all procured at lowest* prices from C. E. James.