STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 January 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correßfondeat} (All cemmunicatious, letters, etc., left with M* M. J. Mopiuua, oootaeiler, null rtcein jijoajt tUsuUcs.) EAKLY CLOSING- MOVEMENT, fitratford, Jan. 23. Til is week the lietaiieiv Association inteud to discuss the (question as to wheluiir the hour for olosuig 'business ill Istr&tford on Saturday should continue to be 9 p.m. or close at ti or ■} p.m. Discussing the matter, Mr. G. X. Walters favored Li p.m. He did not believe there would be much loss in trade oiiee tlte public came to au understanding. Frequently it was a waste of time and lighting keeping open, particularly iu the winter (inonths. If they could do as much business with the shops open less by four hours, so much the better Mr. B- J. Peters, jeweller, favored 0 o'clock or nothing. Opening to 7 or S spoilt the evening, and the margin with the present hour (&), not worth the alteration. He thought this was only the first move of others, and that the day was coming when they would have a live-day week. .Saurday half-holiday seemed a probability of the future, and results if t'.iey made the working week Monday to Friday. Splitting the week, as at present, was hardly a solution, but 0 o'clock on Saturday an improvement. Ke honestly believed employers would find 50 per cent, more work accomplished in five days than under the present | svstero.

Mr "Dick" Masters, of Masters, Ltd., said their firm believed in 6 o'clock closing on Saturday After that hour thero was little business doing, as the streets were emptied and those not at amusements were usually not buying goods. It would do no harm to give it a trial

Mr. E. D. Lewers, draper, favored closing at 6 p.m. At first it might prove awkward, and mean the loss of several pounds to several firms, but it was a desirable change- Closing at 7 or 8 was no good. Then the hours for meals would be dislocated, but by shutting at t) p.m. it would suit all. Passengers coming by the trains after 5 o'clock usually meant very little trade, and those coming from the cast had ample time to make pure liases.

Mr B Rawles, of Rawles and Ttawles, thought they might very well leave matters as they were. If any alteration were made, it should be 6 o'clock, but the public had also to be considered. At present there were farmers on the outskirts of the town who were kept busy in the field during the day and ran their car into town at night. Tradespeople generally were doing well, but it was' the measure of public support that brought that about and must receive the first consideration. The half-holiday in the middle of the week was quite the thing, but he thought it undesirable to meddle with the hours of closing, but if a change is made it should foe 6 o'clock.

The manager of a branch, store here favored C o'clock. He also thought the} mighi go further and institute a reciprocity policy with neighboring towns regarding holidays. What was the use of having a stafT engaged if the town were deserted and the public away to New Plymouth or Hawera ? It might mean a few more davs in the year, but the change would be beneficial in that the staff would be able tn visit other quarters on certain dates and shop assistants m other towns could visit this place with others when they had something going Generally :-peaking, ail aprsed that a break away from 9 o'clock was desirable, and it look? very probable that 0 o'clock will come into vosrue. Whether, however. the fuil-day holiday on one day in the week will ever eventuate is a different mattter, but some believe the desire to clo.v* at C o'clock is the thin end of the wedge m that directioa.

general. Regarding the absence of any cheers •:-r other demonstration in connection with the returning home of our soldiers, ill' W P. Kirltwood, chairman of th# l'atriotio Committee, desires to make an explanation.Ho states: '"Whatever preparations may be nude in. other towns, it is almost an impossibility to get the men together here. O.ir station plat- | form is usually crowded when the train arrive:]; and you may find three soldiers travelling ia different carriage?, and be fore these men can he rallied together j they have stepped off the train and mingled with relatives, and there's au end to it. Besides, it has been my experience that the majority of those who do step off the train are not keen on public . demonstrations, and prefer to quietly greet their friends." The officials of public bodies ?.nil patriotic com mittees will gladly welcome all home, but soma better arrangement will neet! to be made. Those, who think for a moment will recognise that this ia sa, but there are some who will always fini! fault with any reception, and those who do the fault-finding are usually tlioso the least interested. A discovery of a coal seam at Tahora is reported. Specimens of the ' coal are now on view in the shop of Mr. C. jMartin, ironmonger having been forwarded by tvlr J. fl Robson. The outcrop was discovered on the property of the Tahora Timber Company, and so far is two chains long by 4ft thick. It is an exflellent coal, burning to a white ash, and is expected to j>rove a good coal for gas-making. At; Wliangamomona yesterday the stock sale proved one of the best held. Great interest was taken in the sale, and buyers came from a great distance, there being no less than 22 cars along th« roadside. It v/us like old times come again to notice such a number of people about, and the hotel had a great task U» accommodating the hungry visitors,

ScliooU ra-op?)i here on FobruaTy 4. Tliis will bi good news to pome parents. Teachers will liave a busy time overtaking the work lost through the enforced absence of scholars during November T. Ijiiwiason'3 weekly report:—Last Saturday my usual sale was held, when a very good entry of poultry, produce, etc., was catalogued. Poultry and fruit are m 'very good demand, and prices were fairly satisfactory. I quote as follows: —Kens (old) '2s to '2s C<3, o"iers up to 3s Od, cockerels Is 6(1 to 2s; ducks 2«; potatoes, 12s cwt; onions, 2d per lb; aprieotf.; i» to Ss case, or 6d per lb; peaches, 6s fid to 8s (fid per lb); plum*. Is 4d per ib. Furniture and sundries-at usual auction rates. T. Lama son's usual Saturday auction sale is advertised for Saturday, when, m addition to his ordinary sale, a large quantity of fruit will ne sold. Attention plesse! Although the holiday season is advanced there ia yet ample tiM? to secure that gift or present. Don't fro out of SiiT-tford for the article. Call and f.co C E. James' stock His shelves, floors and cases aro crowded with ladies' httdbaggj jL»wdtajk P 9U^on ware, tl.ee-

tro-plate, nickie and antimony articles fit to grace any home. Prepare for the evening by purchasing your parlor games here. Do you smoke? If so, remember you can purchase the best tobaccos, pipes, etc., at C. E. James, the man for honest value every articles.