STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Out Own Correspondents! (All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr H. J. Hopkito, bookseller, wttl recelr* prsajt itteutloa.) Stratford, Feb. 17. The monthly meeting of the Borough Council is to be held to-night. It ia understood that a petition in connection with the Domain Board will he prasented. Already signs are not wanting of the proximity of the A. and P. show, which opens here on Wednesday. To-day the showgrounds presented a scene of activity over the final preparations. Several side-show men arrived to-day. Tomorrow (Tuesday) will be a very busy day, as the secretary has been advised that numerous exhibits of stock, jetc, some from as far away as Woodville, will be arriving by train. Prospects appear to indicate that the show has not suffered by the postponement from spring to autumn. Mr. Sturrock, consulting engineer to the Borough Council, was in Stratford to-day on business connected with the tar-macadamising of Broadway. It is understood that the borough plant will be ready to commence this work in a few days. In accordance with the tewns of the award, grocers' shops will be closed all day on Thursday, People's Day at the show. Other shops will close at 11 a.m. That ratepayers in the Stratford County, like those Ih most other districts, do not believe in paying their rates until the last moment is shown by the fact that during four weeks no less than £IB,OOO was paid in. Of this amount over 3000 came to hand on the 4ay before the 10 per cent, penalty was .due to be imposed. Owing to ill-health Mr. P. Aitken is severing his connection with the borough electrical dejwrtment, of which he has been a member for nearly three years. It is understood that he intends to enter into business in Stratford. _ Mr. A. H. Norrie, Presbyterian missioner at Whangamoinona, is shortly leaving that district, having been appointed to Taradale, Hawke's Bay. He will be succeeded by Mr. Boyd, who lias just been released from military duties. Mr. Norrie will be greatly missed in the district, where he proved himself a useful resident. Corpl. H. A. Moore, a former Presbyterian missioner in the district, from which he enlisted, ia at present on a brief visit to Whangaiuoinona. In order to further the interests of the district a Settlers' Association has been formed at Whangamoroona. Mr. W. McL. Kennedy (Tahora) has been appointed president, and Mr. H. W. Bovis hon. secretary. * I The Huiroa schoolroom was crowded on Wednesday evening, when a welcome home social was tendered to Private Geo. T. Ross. Among those present were Mr. A. J. Ross, father of the guest who had journeyed from Palmerston Nokh. Mr. A, J. Perrott, chairman of the Patriotic Committee, who presided, tendered Mr. Ross, a former resident of the district, a warm welcome, and congratulated his son on his safe return, presenting the latter with a beautifully illuminated address, the work of Mr. McAlister. Private Ross suitably responded. An enjoyable programme was rendered, to which the following contributed items: Overture, Miss Aspinal; songs, Mesdames Thomas, Martin, Bocock, Misses Perrott, Emery, and Rooley, Mr. Cole: trio] Mesdames Martin, Thomas, and Mr. Cole; duets, Messrs Todd and Perrott, Mrs. Thonias and Mr. Cole; quartette. Misses Perrott, Messrs Todd and Perrott; recitations, Masters G. Ritter, P. Lind, B. Martin. After a bounteous supper had been dispensed, dancing was indulged in and kept up till the earlv hours. Three prohibitionists, one of them r. clerical gentleman, who were standing in Broadway on Friday looking over some enrolment forms, received a shock when a lady came up and asked them for a race-card. Before thev had recovered, the lady noticed the clerical garb, and with a mumbled "I thought you were selling race-books," went off. Lovely Doulton ware, just the thing for the house, is being offered at C. E. James' warehouse at ridiculously low prices. Those in search of a "lady's handbag in the best leather will also find it here. Tim is the holiday season and C. E. James has just the ide'al trunk or portmanteau for vou. Do vou smoke? Well, rather! 'Then C. "E. James will at you out in the best of cigars or cigarettes, whilst-the variety of pipes is unequalled. The shop of a thousand bargains—C. E. James' Warehouse, Broadwav Central.—Advt.