STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) (All communications, letters, ate, left with Mr H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will Receive prompt attention.) May 12. Many (businesses in South Taranaki_ are still suffering from a shortage of labor, and up to the present some have derived little or no advantage from the return of the soldiers. The shortage of men is felt more keenly in those businesses where skilled labor is required, and no matter how good the wages offered, hands are most difficult to obtain. One man told a Daily News representative yesterday that no man in his workshop was receiving less than £4 Ills per week, but though he was prepared to pay high wages ha was obliged to work with a short staff. Mr. William Mackie, a very old Taranaki settler, passed away at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Griffin, Wa-tt-iri Road, Toko, on Saturday. The late Mr. Mackie, who leaves a grown-up family of five, resided in Stratford for a number of years. In the Lowgarth Hall to-night a welcome home social will be given to Sergt. D. Jones, M.M., and Troopers (Bond and Reardon. The music will be by McCarthy's orchestra and supper will be provided. On Friday evening last the Pohokura residents turned out in full force to welcome Lance-Corporal H. E. Prideaux, bod of one of Pohokura's most esteemed settlers, Mr. C. C. Prideaux, the guest having just returned from three years' active service at the front. The (first part of the evening was taken up by a concert, items being given by Messrs Piten ithly. Austin, Coates, Misses Nairn, B. Piteaithly, G. Lunam, M. Blair, and seliool children. At the conclusion of the concert Mr. D. M. Pitcaithly, on behalf of the residents, presented the returned soldier with an illuminated address of welcome, also a valuable dressiug-ca.se, safety razor and shaving mug, as a mark of appreciation of his valuable service to his country, and expressed pleasure at his safe return. Lance-Corporal Prideaux in a few well-chosen words suitably replied. After singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," a dance brought an enjoyable evening to a close. Mr. S. Pitsaithlv acted as M.C.

Mr. R. Masters, chairman of the Education Board, has received a reply from Wellington re the payment of allowances for conveying children to school. The reply leaves the matter very much where it was before. Mr. Masters considers it unsatisfactory, and he intends to deal further with the matter at the Education Board's next meeting.

The box plan in connection with the Stratford A. and V. concert in the Town Hall on Thursday is filling up rapidly, there being a good demand for dress circle seat's. Mr W. C. Robson, of the Stratford railway office staff, who has been transferred to the district traffic manager's oflice, Wangamii. left by the mail train vestenlay to take up his duties, Mr. Eobson started in the service at the local office four years ago, and has proved himself a capable officer.

There is a cold snap approaching. Don't bother about the breezes or the frost, but call at C. E. James' warehouse and look at the fine parlor games he has for the children, and for dad he has the best brands of cigars and also tobacco, with the best of pipes to smoke his favorite mixture. For mother there 13 a great variety of reading matter, so why not be cheerful and contented, and all for a little cost; but remember you can get it at C. E. James'. —Advt