STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

PEACE CELEBRATIONS. AN EXCELLENT TURN-OUT. (From Our Own Corerspondent.) Though it is impossible to make a comparison, it is very doubtful if any town, exclusive of the cities, excelled Stratford in peace celebrations. The electrical display was magnificent. The roW9 of illuminated streamers across Broadway from Fenton Street to Regan Street was a sight which gladdened both old and young, and one might have imagined that he had been suddenly transported to some gay continental city. Motor-cars approaching the town slowed down, so that their occupants might feast their eyes on tlie rare and beautiful sights wlileli., in its entirety, could be swept by the eyes from the elevation a*t the south end of the town. The whole population were out to enjoy themselves, and there was an abandonment in their merry-making -which was good to see. With happy forethought the Borough Council closed Broadway to all but pedestrians, and a few cars, etc., used in entertaining the people. The space between Regan and Fenton Streets was a moving mass of people which increased in density near the Post Office, where a band of Pierrots treated them to a capital programme of songs. Among the crowd were hundreds in fancy costumes, and whole proceedings had the character of a huge carnival. The behaviour of the crowd was excellent, and the good order was most creditable to the town and the excellent organisation of the Peace Celebrations Committee. Early in the evening, a procession was held in which the Fire Brigade took a leading part, giving as they passed along the streets a fireworks display. Later a great fireworks display was given in Victoria Park. The Druids took an important part in entertaining the crowd, and with their white robes, flowing beards and torclies recalled the beginnings of the British race. There was nothing in the nature of unpleasantness throughout the whole evening except, perhaps, the explosion of powerful crackers toy thoughtless boys, who took pleasure <in scattering crowds of timid ladies and children by this means. After the fireworks display, a dunce was held in Broadway to music supplied by Mrs. Bianchi's orchestra, and was continued till midnight. The prizes for decorated ears were awarded as followsMiss WaVi (Belgium). Mr. Newton King (Red Cross J, and Mrs. Richmond (Japan). THANKSGIVING SERVICE. * • A united thanksgiving service was held in the Town Hall at 3 p.m., on Sunday afternoon. The cold, forbidding weather might 'nave prevented many from attending, but the buildin? was packed by one of the largest congregations ever seen in 'Stratford, " Ffa Worship the Mayor JjMr. W. J. McMillan), presided. The singing was accompanied by a fine orchestra, under the leadership of Mr. C. H. Rogers, consisting of; Misses E. E. Rogers and M. Hopkins (Ist violins), Messrs. C. Penn, I). McAllister and 11. J. Ansted (2nd violins), Lieut. W. Everiss ('cello), Mr. J. McAllister (bass), Mr. 11. Burmister and Corporal A. Kelly (cornets), Mr. J. Rowe (drum), Miss A. Rogers (piano), and Miss E. Moon (piano). The singing was led by a combined choir, conducted by -Mr. C. iff. Lawn, from the Anslican, Presbvterian, and Methodist Churches, and the Salvation Army. Major J. E. Hine. M.P., occupied a scat mi the platform, and returned soldiers filled a number of rows of front seats reserved for them A peace souvenir, got up m neat booklet form, which contained tlw hymns and the order of service, was presented to eaeli member of the congregation. The leader of the rervice was the Rev. J. C. Dawson Madill.

The Mayor, in opening, said thai while they could not understand as yet whv tlioy should have been called upon to pay such a terrible price in blood for their victory, they would trust to the fireat Architect of the Universe to make this known in his own good time; "But," lie concluded,, "peace has come and le! us offer thanksgiving and praise to God as never before."

The service w'as opened, with the "Triumphal March" by the orchestra. The hymn "We Hail The Proclamation," was followed by prayer by t.lie Rev. R. B, Tinslcy • Mrs. Adjutant Mcßobcrts, of the Salvation Army, read Psalm 46. During the service the choir sang "And the Glory of the Lord" (Hnndel), and "The Hallelujah Chorus " The address was delivered by the Rev. C. W. Howard, who -chose for his subject "The Peace Treaty." Mr. Howard 6aid that the treaty was a three-fold document. The first, part dealt with the terms which had been dictated to the enemy, the second with the covenant of the League of Nations, and the third with the report of the Industrial which .with certain amendments, had been incorporated in the treaty. He would deal with the pecond division only, which was his ideal part of the document, and was known as the deed of the Covenant of Nations. This was divided into two main sections, international co-operation among nations, and international peace among nations. The first iriis a very mixed question, which he did not propose to "go into. It dealt with trade and high protection tariffs. He hoped the spirit animating the League in its efforts at international co-operation for the benefit of Labor would make itself felt as never licforo. lie did not profess to know anything about the Labor Party in New Zealand or Australia, but he knew some of the leaders in the Old Country. A number had sent a message to the bishops urj* ing that the principles of the Bible, should be better Inculcated into the affairs of the State. "No man,'' proceeded the speaker, "liveth to himself." The mere matter of better wages would never bring real satisfaction which could best be found by all in taking an interest in the life of others and in trying to bring about a better state of things. Speaking in regard to international peace, he said lie looked to the Bible for instruction in the history of nations, and to learn God's way of dealing with the people.of this world. Hp found in the Old Testament that Cod gave Jacob a covenant, and Israel a law. ''They saw in sacred history the great purposes God had for men, but Israel forgot His law and gave themselves up to lust, so God allowed them, to taste the bitter fruits of experience. Thov were sent into exile, and were scattered over the face of the earth. I When they rend of what God intended and what actually happened a serious | spirit came over them, and the qnestion i arose: Was the history of the Lpaptto of f NTations going to run parallel with tho Jewish race? Tn a short ministry, Christ brought the race to a pasnihility of the fulfilment of his purposes, but when he preached hit* doctrines, what happened? He was rejected, made an- outcast and crucified, just fcecauao his ideas ran counter to

the Jewish idea of the way life should be lived. Christ, whom God had exalted as a Prince and a Saviour, took the moral precepts of the .Jewish law and broadening their meaning made them more binding. He introduced ;i new spirit to 1)B obtained by a jiew manner of birth. That was the spirit to which the framors of the League of j Nations were looking for its fullilmcnt, A lot was said by some about reconstruction, but mostly about the spirit that animated it- They wanted men regenerated in spirit before they couli have reconstruction of the world. Then were a great many ways in which all had departed from the laws of Christ and there was much leeway as a result of the course 'we had steered to make up before we could come near the spirit of the covenant of the League of Nations. God was always merciful, antl if we could only continue to call upon Him and not go back to the vanities of the world, He could bring us to a haven of peace. Other liymna sung were: "Peace, Perfect Peace," and "Now We Thank Thee, Our God." A collection was taken up with a view to assisting the Stratford Hospital Board in purchasing an X-ray apparatus for the Public Hospital. The singing of the National Anthem brought tho service to a close. The Mayor thanked Mr. Rogers, leader of the orchestra, and Mr. Lawn, choir conductor. Tliariks were also expressed by tho Rev. Howard to the Stratford Evening Post for the gift of souvenirs, The collection totalled £3l. CHILDREN'S DAY, The raia on Monday marred the success of Children's Day, and the Committee was obliged to abandon the prpposed sports and other moans for the children's amusement. Many children were in tho streets, and they would have fared rather badly had it not been for the proprietors of the King's Cinema Theatre. A special Paramount comedy, entitled "Swans," was screened and all children were admitted free. The juveniles were not slow to avail themselves of the means provided for them, and it was estimated that fully 1000 attended. A gun, captured from the Germans, which was due on Saturday, arrived yesterday, and in spite of the persistent cold rain, a number gathered round while an officer explained its mechanism and use. So that the patients in the hospital could participate in some way in the rejoicings, the chairman of the Hospital Board (Mr. C. D. Sole), issued instructions that first-class dinners should be served on both Saturday and Monday.

There was some difficulty in catering for the largo crowd on Saturday. Late on Friday afternoon, some of the hotel keepers who liad made provision for the rush learned, for the first time, that the staffs must be given a holiday on Saturday. No exception was taken to this, but it was ■ tjiought that more notice should have been given. Seeing that it was necessary to provide foi the country people, the Peace Celebrations Committee had specially appealed to restaurant-Keepers and proprietors of tea-rooms to keep open, it seemed almost absurd to close the dining-rooms of hotels for the whole day. If a little notice had been given it may have been possible for the hotels to assist in some degree to provide for country visitors.

Speaking at the united thanksgiving service on Sunday, the Mayor said they were all sorry to learn that the Rev. J. ?. Dawson Madill and family were, for health reasons, leaving Stratford. Mr. Madill had always given valuable assistance at the united services held during the war, and in many oilier ways. They all wished liim anil his family happiness, prosperity and health. The Catholic Bazaar will he opened by the Mayor (Mr. J. W McMillan) at 2.30 p.m. to-dav (Tuesday). .Addresses will also be given by Major Iline, M.P., Father Maples, and Mr, R. Masters (chairman of the Education Board). Musical selections will be played during the afternoon and evening by a special orchestra, and Master Winetone McCarthy, known as New Zealand's Harry Lauder, will be heard in a monologue and songs. A grand spectacular review js called the "Pageant of the Allies," will be held in the evening. This Will he produced under the management of Mrs. and Miss Edwards, of .Hawera. Solo dancing will be a feature of each scene, and the whole will concluda with the. -'Dance of Peace," and "Rule Britannia." The bazaar will be.well worth visiting and amusements of many kinda will be provided. A welcome home dance was held in the Coronation Ilall, Toko, on Friday to Private Stanley Reid and Corpora! A. J. Kelly. . Music was provided by Mrs. Bianclii and Mr S. Parker, extras bein«' played by Mi3s Scott. The M.C.'s were Messrs. Bredow and M. Gernhoefer. A dainty supper was. served by the ladies. On Saturday night, during the screening of "Missing," at the King's Cinema Theatre, Stratford, Mrs. Massev sang "Bonnie Sweet Bonnie." Mrs. Massey'd effort was fully appreciated as was shown by'tlie hearty applause. At a meeting of the executive of the Stratford Railway League consideration was given to the question of establishing a motor transport goods service between New Plymouth, Stratford,' and Hawera during the restricted train service, and it was left with the chairman (Mr. Kirkwood), and the secretary (Mr. Power) to make inquiries as to freights' Messrs. McDonald and Martin were appointed a special committee to inquire into the allegation that, while essential goods were denied transport by the railway, empty trucks were carried up and down the line. The secretary was asked to write to the Minister for Public Works, suggesting that the survey should always he' kept well in advance of construction work on the Xahora-Matiere line, and it was also decided to ascertain the number of men at present employed on the Stratford i • T t was resolved that members of local bodies, dairy companies, and mercantile firms be invited to jo ; >i the League, and Mr. McMillan was appointed to act, if necessary, as a delegate to place the policy of the league before them and solicit their support, With a view to learning the length of tenure likely to be granted when the present Stratford railway leases expire, the Department is to bp communicated with. A meeting of the executive will be held on .Tulv 29. and a general meek inc will be held later the same day. On Sunday morning, His Grace, Archbishop O'Shca administered the' sacriment. of Communion to ninety-seven ; CftTmiclfltos, By a collection in the Catholic Church nn Sunday, £lO was raised towards the I cost of X-ray for the Stratford hospital. Further contributions are expected from the same source.