STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 January 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

(All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr H. l. HoplsiM, bookseller, will receive prompt aucattaj.).

Stratford, Jan. 6. The Health Department was very prompt in its reply to the Stratford Hospital Board's urgent telegram sent on Friday stating the board had not the money to meet all the influenza claims, and asking the procedure necessary to hurry up a Government grant. On Saturday the following reply- -was deceived:—("Your telegram re epidemic claims referred to Department with instructions'to arrange matter.—(x, W. Kussell." If the same promptness is shown in raising the cash there will be no occasion to complain. Concerning elections, already I have heard a few rumors. One is that Major •T. B. Hine, our present member, will not Keck re-election, and another is that Mr. ft. Masters, chairman of the Education Hoard, will take the platform. There is plenty of time yet, but these statements show that the public are beginning to take notice.

Probably owing to short notice, tliol attendance of the public at the Town Hall on Sunday afternoon was very disappointing to hear the Canadian Pro-1 hibition speaker (Mr. G. W Fortune'/. Our visitor was in fine form and handled hifj subject in a masterly manner that appealed to all, there being lib dull moments during his address of over an hour. Mr. Fortune dealt with the liguor question fully and! freely, and illustrated his remarks by personal experiences in Canada, where wages had increased by 50 per cent, during the past 15 months, though the cost of living had only climbed 10 per cent. Reference was made to the sweeping away of grog from thu United States Navy, which numbered 400,000 men, and who apparently were none the worse for being deprived of their rum. He also touched on the ravages of drink in New Zealand, and remarked it was strange that 60 per cent, of the young men of New Zealand, Australia, "and Canada who volunteered had been rejected aa unfit. He thought something should be done to find the cause, which he mainly attributed to disease, and, behind thij; John Barleycorn. New Zealand was far from being a sober community, and he twittted our legislators with making laws preventing liquor being sold in the Kfhg Country and then allowed the State-owned railways to carry it through. Questions were invited, but evidently all present* were in sympathy with the movement or else did not care to measure swords with the Canadian; who throughout was accorded a most attentive hearing. The Rev. R. B. Tinsley was chairman of the meeting.

Some months back Mrs. H. E. Abraham mads a personal appeal for assistance in securing an invalid chair for & bed-ridden hospital patient named Gapigan. At the time it was believed the amount required was £3O, and when this was secured the list was closed. Inquiries since made discloso the amount as £49, so the Stratford lady will be glad to receive further subjci'iptions to that amount.

Mr E. C. Robinson, civil engineer here for many years, who gave up his practice in order to go into camp, from which he was discharged after the signing of th« armistice, has left for Auckland, where he has accepted an important position with the Government. During his stay in Stratford, Mr. Robinson, besides his private practice, had been consulting engineer to the Stratford, Whangamomona, and Egmont County Councils, the Moa Road Board, and other local bodies. Messrs Sladden and Palmer, the wellknown civil engineers and licensed surveyors. of New Plymouth, who have also been consulting engineers for the Taranaki County Council, Parihaka Road Board, and other local bodies, h&v» opened an office in Stratford in the premises recently occupied by Mr. E. C. Robineon.

A number of prominent settlers of the Ohura district have been spending a holiday in Stratford, several car-loads having motored tnrough. The road is now in fair order, the trip tl>roi"(h occupying six hours, a little troupe being: experieenced on the Papai'uta saddle. There is no doubt that jnr.e the railway line out east rencnta this country the trade of the Ohura -jf .Jihe through farsnaki, its * mtiCffl outlet. No stone, therefore, should be left unturned by the local bodjes and chambers oi commerce at this end to urge the Government to push on with this line, as the progress of Taranaki and its harbor is inseparably bound up in the development of the hinterland.

T. Lamason advertises a sale of furniture on behalf of Mr. Franks and an ot■">» vendor for Thursday next.

Whilst it is satisfactory to record good business during the holidays, Mr. <_!. IS. James desires to make known that he in still offering ladies' handbags at lowest prices. If in need of a portmanteau purchase here and save money. Do you desire to present the wife, sister, or sweetheart with a watch, bangle, brooch or necklace? Mr. C. E. James will have the article you require. For toys his variety cannot be beaten, and for Doulton ware, vases, etc., his prices defy competition. Call and inspect. An invitation to all, and no one pressed to buy.—Advt.