STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

«/r" I c ™ munlcs ' l »n3. letters, etc., left with mLuUod.? bo<,ksdler - will receive prompt (iroia Our Own Cor: ispondent.) male choir concert. .... . Stratford, Oct. 19. . _ Anticipations of a, successful concert m connection with the visit of the New ilyinouth ilale Choir were amply fulfilled, the performance ranking as one of the best yet giveu to a .Stratford audience. The town hall was well filled and, despite persistent encores, the curtain was run,!; down at 10.30. Of the soloi.its much interest centred round -Mrs. Birch-Johnston and her coster ditties, which met with popular approval .Now 1 have to call 'im father," and hen Maud puts on her bathing dress." were most amusing, and licr other items also elicited hearty applause. Miss Phillips (Stratford), a new singer to local audiences, sang "Abide with Me," and received a well-merited recall. Miss Vera Rowe, in male attire, was recalled tor her budget of quips and cranks her make-up and "business'' being anoveltv to the audience. Mr. Norman Day scoreu a triumph, all his solos being rendered with artistic taste, his fine baritone voice being heard to great advantage in "Invictus." "Rose of My Heart," "Mate of Mine," "Somewhere a Voice, is Calling." Mr. A. 0. Sturrock was equally pleasing in his pianoforte solo and pro\ed a most sympathetic accompanist The items by the Male Choir, "To the Death," "Song of the Bow," "Comrades in Arms," and "The Soldiers' Chorus" (from Faust) were particularly pleasing all the numbers being rendered in perfect unison, showing the capital training the voices had undergone. Mr. Fox's orchestra (seven instruments) also assisted materially in the success of the entertainment. Mention should be made of Mr. McLeod's work as conductor. He had a heavy task attending to details and wielding the baton, and thoroughly earned the high expressions of approval of his work.

At the close of the concert a dance followed, the floor being well filled. Messrs J. Lister, .T. Pearce. and E. Tichbon proved capable 11'sC., whilst the music by Mr. Fox's orchestra proved all that could be desired. The thanks ,of the promoters are due to Mr. T. Smith for providing the supper free of charge. The receipts for the evening are anticipated to be in the neighborhood of £4O. GENERAL. At the Stratford County Council meeting on Saturday an application was made for an increase in salary by an employee. In the discussion following a councillor stated that farmers were paying 2s fid per hour for casual labor, whilst youths were receiving £2 10s per week. Councillors all admitted the difficulty of getting suitable labor, and the application was granted.

Extreme frankness characterised a letter forwarded to the council to-day. 'A returned soldier, who was settled on the Croydon Road settlement, wrote in the following strain: "Your claim for rates to hand, but I cannot pay the amount, and do not see my way clear to do so for some considerable time, as was not able to stock the place owing to shortage of feed, and therefore 110 returns coming in."—The letter was received, it being pointed out that the rates were not due till January. 1

I At the Magistrate's Court yesterday a man named D. O'Snutn, charged with a breach of his prohibition order, was fined '2os and costs. J. Enwright was fined 10s and costs for riding a motorcycle after dark without lights. Meetings in connection with the proposed harbor improvements at New Plymouth will be held at Strathmore on Wednesday and at Whansramomona on Friday ner-ft, both in the afternoon. At tlie school yesterday afternoon the chairman of the committee (Mr. J. W. Boon), on behalf of the school, addressed a few words of farewell to Mr. Linehan and presented him with a small memento to commemorate his association with the school during the past few years. He said the teacher was leaving to take up a soldier's work, but trusted it would not now be many months before the need to send men away would i.'ease to exist. He concluded by wishing him every success, and hoped to see him back again in due course to take up his duties in the school once more. air. Linehan suitably acknowledged the chairman's remarks and giftOne of the latest war heroes to "travel west" is Of. E. Willis, of the Putikituna valley, Wliangamomona. Previous to the war he was farming for many years, and left the farm to an aged father and youn" sister to carry on whilst lie took up the rifle in defence of mankind. He was an excellent shot, one of the best in the Wliansamomona Rifle Club, the members of which, with others, will learn with regret of his death.

To those who appreciate keen prices and are on the look-out for best value in useful goods, we can strongly recommend » visit to the jewellery and fancy goods store of Mr. C. E. .Tames. The shelves are lined with very attractive and natty articles that appeal to ladies particularly. Xow is the time to purchase that hand-bag. banele.. bracelet, etc. The i smoker also will find the choicest brands tobacco, cigars, etc., offering here. — (AtM.) <