STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left wilh Mr H. 1. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive-prompt attention.] SOLDIERS' NIGHT. (For some time past it lias been felt that something should be done in the way of having a social re-union of men who had returned from the front, and, so far, not been honored in this respect! In this district farewells are the rule rather than the exception, and it was thought that, seeing Captain W. Foley and Lieutenant R. Woods were leaving again to take up trench duties this might prove a suitable occasion to float something of this description. Last night, at the Town Hall, the idea was successfully launched, with the Mayor at the helm, and as a result the Town Hall has been secured for Friday eventog.

The attendance of the public was satisfactory considering the short notice, but those who_ were present entered enthusiastically i*to the enterprise- The Mayor ; in addressing those pi-esent, stressed the point that it was a difficult matter to farewell some of the men. In the smaller towns the soldiers were generally well known, whereas it frequently happened a man may be a few weeks in the town and enter on military duties with very few being aware of the fact. All were anxious to do what they could for the men who were leaving ana also those who had returned. Occasionally one heard disparaging remarks about a seeming lack of attention to these matters by Stratford folk. These were not deserved, as frequently it was hard to find out when these men were returning. Mr. D. J. Malone favored a social reunion once, if not twice, a year, at which all soldiers,. with relatives, should be specially invited, and suggested that they get going straight away, securing the Town Hall for Friday night and holding a social. This proved a popular view, and committees to secure talent for the musical programme and attend to other details were set up.

Kirk's orchestra, Hawera, has been secured, and there is every reason to anticipate a crowded house on Friday evening.

It is unfortunate that the night selected should clash with the farewell social at Toko, but the men being farewelled are leaving on Monday morning, and Friday evening appeared the only suitable evening. LADIES' PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE. Mrs. J. W. Boon presided at the monthly meeting of the Stratford Ladies' Patriotic Committee this afternoon. The attendance was very satisfactory. The "copper trail" was the first business discussed. Mr. M'Donald stated that it was intended to have boxes for the purpose worked by the schools, but she had found out that before the teach* ers could do anything in the matter it was necessary to secure the permission of the Education Board, so things would wait till this was attended to. It was also intended to leave boxes at various shops. Mr 9. Boon thought they should get the scheme going, and clear the iboxes once a month.

Mrs. M'Donald said the treasurer might take a weekly statement, and then each month, with other amounts, forward same to thy Red Cross funds in Wellington.

In answer to a question, Mrs. Boon said the idea was to pit the Stratford School against the Hawera School, and all funds would go towards the Wellington Copper Trial.

Other suggestions were to wind up the effort with a concert and dance; thgj;, the Egmont Club might hold a social evening and also a card tournament. No definite action was taken

In response to an appeal for donations towards the Christmas Pudding Fund, it was resolved to grant £6O, as it took nearly five months to get them to the trenches. Subscribers forwarding 4s would have a postal card included in their gift, and as replies came to hand these would be forwarded to donors. The treasurer (Mrs. White) stated that the funds up to Saturday last were: —lady Liverpool £316, Red Cross £314. Letters of appreciation were received from the Lady Liverpool Fund for five boxes of gift goods and the Red Cross Society, Wellington, for £5 towards providing comforts for the sick and wound, ed in Egypt.

The treasurer also submitted the following summary of takings at the shop and tea rooms during June:—ln shop, June 1, Mrs. Abraham, £6 5s 2d; Bth, Mahoe ladies, £25; 15th, Mesdames Petrie and Smart, £9 10s; 22nd, Mrs. Curtis, £8 19s 4d; 2©th, Ngaere ladies, £9 16s 9d; total, £SB lis 3d. Tea rooms, Ist, Mrs- Thompson, £6 14s 9d; 4th, Mrs. Dingle, donation, £1; Bth, Mahoe ladies, £7 15s 6d : 14th, sale of wool, £l Is; 18th, Mrs. Boon, £6 lis; 22nd, Mrs. Meuli, £8 6s 7d; 20tli. sale of caps, 2s 6d; 29th, Nga«r« ladies, £9 12s; total, £43 3s 4d, making a grand total of £lO2 14s 7d. It was Tcsolved that the shop should be run up to September tn aid of the Trench Comforts Fund.

Mrs. Crawshaw stated that there was a possibility of the Church of England having a day in aid of the Church Army funds, and desired the use of the rooms. Mrs. Budge favored the idea. Sirs- Boon thought the Church of England might control, it, and also suggested that Tuesday would be a suitable day in the week for selection.

After passing accounts, the meeting adjourned.

GENERAL. Residents of Lowgartb, Mahoe, and elsewhere axe notified by advertisement in this issue that a farewell is to be tendered Private D. Gray in the Lowgwth Factory Hall on Wednesday evening. Mr. Fox will preside at the piano, whilst several favorite artists will assist in the vocal portion of the evening's en» tertainment.

Times may be hard with many, but their trouble is that they fail to purchase where the cash obtains the most Value. The secret of C. E. James' jewellery *nd fancy goods store lies in the good value he offers with every article, and it U no surprise that as each year swings by his circle of customers is ever widening. Make one of (hese satisfied buyers You will be pleased with the value offering in ladies' bangles, brooches, etc Men's sporting and smoking requisites in great variety.—Advt.