STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent,)' (All communications, letters, etc., left nitb Mr H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention) STRATFORD DEFEATS ELTHAM. A football match between Stratford and Elthain teams was played at Stratford yesterday. The former was by far tlie heavier team and had an easy win, scoring 45 points to nil by their opponents. A feature of the game was the good combination shown by the Stratford backs. Mr. J. R. Wall, of the Carlton Studio, recently secured some exceptionally good photographs of the famous Spanish chestnut in Sir. Newton King's garden, New Plymouth, acknowledged to be the finest of its species in the southern hemisphere. In on© photograph taken from a distance the beautiful symmetry of the tree, under the spreading branches of which 200 people can be accommodated, is shown, but the photograph which has a special value and is probably unique is one taken from under the branches and exhibiting the massive trunk and fantastic branches. The photographs are to appear in an Auckland weekly paper. It has become quite a custom to recognise the services of soldiers on their return by presenting them at socials organised in their honor with illuminated addresses. Tonight six returned soldiers, including Sergeant David Jones, who so distinguished himself at the front that he gained the military medal, are to be entertained at a social at Mahoe by the residents, and each will be presented with an illuminated address. These addresses are the work of Mr. McAllister, of Broadway. Neatly framed in oak, they are most fitting mementoes of the great struggle in which the me'! have taken part, and are worthy of preservation for a future generation, which will, no doubt, regard with pride the constant reminder of the loyalty and patriotism of those front whom they sprang. The addresses represent tlie finest work, varying in color and design, md are worthy of any honored place in 'he land. The War Reiir>f Association sometimes ha? some difficult problems to deal with, and it is fortunate that the men who comprise the executive are hard-headed, businesslike men. capable of looking at all sides of the question, and while approaching everv application for help with sympathv do not allow sentiment to run away with their -judgment. On Wednesday the executive were asked by a returned soldier for sufficient money to bring his prospective bride from England. It was pfated that the cost of the passage would be £4O, of which the Government would pay £l3. Members dea't with the application sympathetically, but it was pointed out by one man that a soldier who could not find the money to bring his prospective bride from Ens-land would hardly be in n position to provide her with a home when «he arrived, and it was decided to inform the'soldier that while the executive could not assist him in the way desired, F-hould ho --et up housekeeping at anv time within the next twelve months it would 1 "' favorably consider any application lie miffht make for help in getting a home top/ether. A discussion which was not Licking in humor followed n proposal by Mr. Washer at the annual meeting that it be a recommendation to the incoming executive that something be done in the way of providing bonuses for babies horn to returned soldiers. Mr. Poreival wanted to l;now. if such a proposal were adopted, where their liability would end. A Man miirht «et married 20 years after returning, and would the association in such a case be asked still to grant a bonus. The chairman said the applications would no doubt continue as long as thev had funds. The motion was agreed to.

At the Town Hall on Wednesday the Women's National Reserve gave their monthly afternoon tea to the wives arid mothers of returned soldiers. A good musical programme was provided, items being contributed bv Mesdames Rollands, Thompson, Burmestcr, and Maunsoll. and Misses Milner, Rogers and Maunsell.

Bargain fortnight at James', Saturday 17 to Saturday 31. Sale discounts on all fancy goods, jewellery, brooches, pendants, bangles, etc. Special sixpenny table. Special half price table. Discounts on ladies' hand bags. A fortnight's sale of fancy jroods and toys. Please come and see. Charles E. James, Broadway, Stratford.*