STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) (All communications, letters, etc., left nltli Mr 11. I. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.) Stratford, June 2. The annual meeting of the Stratford Acclimatisation Society was held 011 Saturday night. Present: Messrs A. W. Budge (chairman), C. Masscy, P. Hunter, .f. Martin, W. P. Kirkwood, G, B. Walth, H. Campbell, and It. F. H*rknoss (secretary). The report, as already published, and the balance sheet were adopted. Mr. Kirkwood, discussing the report, .said he was sorry to say there was not a great deal of game in the district now. They had endeavored to breed pheasants, hut it had been found impracticable. He thought that they should endeavor to stock pheasants, even if they had to purchase them. Last year they had liberated 50,000 fish instead of the usual 100,000, but the society had done its best in the circumstances, and members had no reason for complaint. Replying to Mr. Martin, who asked if it were not possible to obtain new game for the district, Mr. Kirkwood said the trouble was to obtain suitable game. One of the difficulties 'was the want of cover. In Auckland wild geese had been liberated in some of the sv.'amps, and they might consider doing something similar here. He advocated obtaining Australian or stubble quail.

The president said that there was no water of sufficient expanse in Taranaki for wild geese. The Hawera society had put wild geese on Rotokare Lake, but with what result he could not say. In Auckland there were vast areas like Whakatane swamp, of 70,000 acres, where birds had a chance to increase.

The following officers were elected: President, Mr. A. W. Budge; vice-presi-dents, Messrs W. P. Kirkwood and C. Masscy; secretary, Mr. R. F. Harkness; treasurer, Mr. W. P. Kirkwood; auditor, Mr. A. Coleman; council, Messrs L. Reira, F. Whittle, ,T. S. Lyons, H. E. Abraham, P. Hunter, C. B. Walsh, J. T. Martin, H. Campbell, W. J. Morrison, and the president and vice-presidents, ex officio.

It was decided to procure 100,000 cva.

The president mentioned that, some years ago he liberated some brook trout in a stream that runs down to Te Popo, and had later been inicrmed that the river was swarming witn trout. A letter was received from a Huiroa resident alleging shooting - without a license.—lt way decided to ask if proof could be supplied.

The Minister in charge of the Department wrote asking for the society's opinion on tbe question of making worm fishing illegal.—No action was taken hevond receiving tho letter. It was stated that worm fkhing was not prevalent in the district, and that the matter was one for consideration by a. conference. It was decided to write to the New Plymouth society regarding a conference on the question of amalgamation.

On the motion of Mr. Kirkvvood, a resolution was passed expressing appreciation of the good services of Miss, 1 jones, the curator. GENERAL. Tn its endeavors to provide for the social amenities of the people, the Egmont Club is forming a male choir, and already over twenty have consented to become members. In the .veil-appointed club rooms all that is necesrury to the choir alrc-ady exists, and a start can be made without the expense of hiring a room for practices or pmvhasinf a piano. The club has within its own membership all that is essential to a good choir, and the public can safely expect, among the musical attractions for the year, periodical concerts by the new vocal organisation. The records taken by Mr. T. E. Penn show that the month just ended was the driest May for <;ome years. Rain fell on nine days during the month, the total fall being 2.76 inches. The heaviest fall was on the 25th, when .01 inch was recorded. '

Permits for buildings to the value of £4830 were issued by the Stratford Borough Council for the month of May. A meeting of the A, and P. Society's social committee was held on Saturday, when votes.' of thanks were passed to Messrs Weston Bros, for the use of furniture in connection with the annual concert, to Mr. C. H. Fox, who lent flowers, and to Mr. lMligrew for the ioan of pot plants; also to all who assisted to make the concert a succcf;s, including the ladier, who attended to 'the catering.

Margaret E. Close was charged at the Magistrate's Court this afternoon, before Mr. S. B. Hunter, J.P., with having, on May 13, committed manslaughter on one Tim Egmont Close, an infant child. A remand was granted for one week, bail being allowed-—one surety of .£2OO and accused £IOO. Sergeant Dale appeared for the police and Mr. Wright for accused.

On Saturday night Cpl. E. A. Walsh and Privates G. M. Smith, ,T. Tlodd, .T. Cook, and W. Seabright were welcomed on their return to Stratford from the front by Mr. C. Jackson, the deputy mavor.

Mr. G. H. Buckeridge, organising secretary to the Farmers' Union, is throwing himself whole-heartedly into the work of bringing about a better understanding between the farmer and tho worker. Hi's views have already attracted the attention of Labor leaders, and he ha<.' been asked to deliver an address before a meeting of workers at New Plymouth at an early date.

Bargain fortnight at James', Saturday 17 to Saturday Jil. Sale discounts on ail fancy goods, jewellery, brooches, pendants, bangles, » etc. Special sixpenny table. Special half price table. Discounts on ladies' hand hags. A fortnight s sale of fancy goods and toys. Pleas? come and see. Charles E. James, Broadway, Stratford*