STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 June 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) ' (All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr H. J.jHopklns, boolueller, villi receive prompt attention.) Stratford, June 24. Some time ago the Stratford Beautifying Society, in conjunction with the Borough Council, gave attractiveness to the entrance, to the railway station by laying down small plots in grass, which were protected by neat fences. The plots receive, regular attention, and are always in excellent order. Lately, however, the Railway Department has let for advertising purposes a space between the plots and the railway station, and % large hoarding has been erected, on which an enterprising business mail proclaims the excellence of his wares. This hoarding is offensive to the Beautifying Society, and its representative, Mr. Thompson, waited upon the Borough Council on Monday night am! asked that representations be made to the Railway Department with a view to its removal. The Mayor, who said the hoarding was an eyesore, moved that the Department be written to and asked to have it removed. This was carried.

A letter was received by the Stratford Borough Council a£ its meeting on Monday night front the New Plymouth Borough Council, proposing a conference to discuss electric, lighting. The Mayor paid it would be best for the New Plymouth council to place any proposals (hey had to make before them in writing first. Without knowing what Now Plymouth had to offer it would be very little use holding a conference. It. was decided, ori the inotiorj of Cr. Jackson, to request that the offer be made in writing.. • . ■ *

Referring to the question of a site for Hie new post office, the Mayor reported, at the official meeting of the Borough Council on Monday night, that he had seen the Minister for Railways and the General Manager on the matter, and he had he en informed that the Railway Department was contemplating improvements to their yards, and until they knew the extent of their own requirements they could not say whether they could grant a site for a new post office or not; hut a definite answer was promised within a month.

Until quite recently the condition of the Old Town Cemetery, which is little used now for burials, was distressing. Shrufts and trees planted many years ago had never been trimmed, bo had grown to huge, unshapely proportions. Beautiful tombstones in a good Btate ofj preservation and erected at considerable cost were so "hidden from view that ordinary visitors to the cemetery would not be jiware of their existence. Since Mr. F. Schwamm took over the jweition. ef saratakw, in fVbruatj

last, everything has been changed. The improvements! have been much commented upon by visitors, and especially by the relatives and friends of those who have been buried there. It may not be generally known that ,the Borough Council will undertake to keep a grave in good order for a small charge annually, and if those unable to give personal attention would avail themselves of the caretaker's services the cemetery could bo kept in much better orfler than is possible where so many neglect to do anything at all.

Tho Stratford Boy Scouts met on Monday evening to farewell Mr. A. D. Stanley, who has been district secretary for a number of years- The Rev. Howard, on behalf of tho Scouts, presented Mr. Stanley with a walking stick as a token of appreciation of his good work in the interests of the Scouts. Mr. Howard expressed the regret they all felt at losing their excellent secretary, to whom lie extended the best wishes of all present. A |suitable (acknowledgment was made by Mr. Stanley. The same evening S.tl Mary's School Board, in accepting Mr. Stanley's resignation as a member of the board, decided to place on record their appreciation of his valuable work since the foundation of the school. Mr. Stanley was presented with a small taken of esteem.

Mr. Stanley expects to leave for Auckland some time next week. At the meeting of the Oddfellows' Lodge last evening the quarterly election of officers resulted: G.M., Sister IrelandN.G,, Bro. Ireland; VG., Bro. Harston; Warden, Sister R. Burke; Guardian, Bro. h Ward; Elect. Secretary, Si3teer Sole (re-elected); R.S. to N-G., Bro. H. Stott; L.S. to N.G., Sister (-Read; R.S. to V.G-, Bro. C. Ireland; N-S. to R.G., Sister N.' Burke. After the meeting a dance was field, when a number of visitors from the Eltham Lodge were entertained. A waltzing competition held during the evening was won by Mr. J. Bennett and Miss A. McDonnell;' Ml*. P. Healy and Miss McDonnell and Mr- Cooper and Miss Marchant tied for second prize!

POSTED. DIRECT FOR 2s Od. One Good Luck Writing Pad, One Packet Envelopes, One Penholder and Nib, One H.B. Lead Pencil. The pad is a new line, and good. Send postal note or stamps—Charles E. James, Box 21, Stratford—Advt.