STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

' (From Our Own Correspondent.) (All communications, letters, etc, bft with Ur H. J, Hopkins, bookseller, will recolvo prompt attention.) CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. August C. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce was held on Tuesday evening. Present: .Messrs J. B. Richards (chairmanJ, W. McDonald, P. Thomson, 0, Martin, J. W. Boon, R. Masters, Wi P. Kirkwood. and J). J. Malone. A letter was received from the Minister of Lands in. reference to the WaroPouatu Block, in which it was stated that there were 10 million feet of milling timber on the block, the royalty on which Would be worth £BI3O, or £1 per acre. The royalty was worth more than the land, which could only he opened up for settlement as the timber was cleared. The chairman said there was nothing in the Minister's argument, and if the land was opened for settlement it would be worth 15s per acre tent per annum. After a good deal of discussion it was decided to send a copy of the letter to the Whangamomona Settlers' Association.

The Palmerston Cflamber of Commerce forwarded for endorsement the following resolution: "That this chamber views with serious concern the proposal to materially increase railway freights, as it simply means increased taxation for the population residing away from the seaports."

On the motion of Mr. Kirkwood it was decided to endorse the resolution, and to protest against railway freights being wsed, for protective purposes, as in the timber and other industries.

The Stratford Railway League wroto inviting the Chamber to affiliate with flic League.—Oh the motion of the chairman it was decided to assure the league (hat it would have the hnarty co-opera-tion of the chamber" in any action it may take.—lt was stated by Mr. Thomnon that twelve men arc employed on the Opunake line, arid by the chairman that 70 men were employed in .Tune last on the east end of the East line and [rl on the west end.

The Wellington Chamber forwarded on outline of the prop' •! scheme by which a committee will control the forv.urding of goods bv rail from Wellington.

Mr. Masters thought the Chamber •ihmild support Mr. Wilkinson in his agitation for through freight trains. Of the 4000 tons of coal landed in New Plymouth in a certain period named by Mr. Wilkinson 3000 tons had gone to private individuals, and by taking a certain amount of private coal he th.-u'Thi- 'he fioycrnment would he able to run extra trains. The coal landed at' N"'■■••.Pl-mouth was not bunker, but good steam coal.

It was decided to call n conference of Taranaki chambers for the purpose of d-enKßins; the formation of a committee similar to that in Wellington, with the oh'fct of controlling train traffic.

,p l>f chairman and Messrs Masters and Malone were appointed a committee to report on the question of a bond store for Stratford.

It was decided to urge upon the Gov-or»»-«nf the necessity for making Stratford a centre for the valuation of wool, "''•■'. chairman stated tlim wool had at present to be sent to Waitara to be vnbieil and then brought back to Stratford for scouring.

Tlii! inadequacy of (lie was?, paid to men v.oi-kinjr on railwnv construction wa« referred to by Mr. Boon, and it was decided to urge upon the Minister for Public Works that the. living conditions at woi-l'i such a,q Tahora be improved, and Hint a wage of 14s he given. The secretary was asked to communicate with the Minister with a view to Wrnmar what progress had hcen made in respect to a now post office.

GENERAL. Mr. J. McCluggagc, president of the Stratford Liberal and Labor party, and Mr. C. D. Sole, secretary, have received the following reply from Sir Joseph Ward: "I very much appreciate the resolution passed by the Labor and Liberal Party in Stratford, and the hearty welcome which you send Lady Ward and myself. I" am glad to say that we are in the best of health and spirits, and are delighted to be back iu Aew Zealand. [ am looking forward to being able to help, with the assistance of my friends, to get through the present imprecedeiited difficulties, which, I am sure, can be overcome, and restore New Zealand to a sound and strong position." An enjoyable church- social was held in the Parish Hall on Tuesday evening, which was made the occasion for welcoming home Messrs C. .1. Danagh and H. Sommerfield, who have been on active Bervice. Music for the dance was provided by Rogers' orchestra, extras being played by Mesdames Insull and Mathews and Miss E. Rogers. Songs were sung by Mrs. Hollands and Messrs A. D. Bills and Aitken.

Mr. W. Robson, manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Invercnrgill, and brother to Mr. Joseph Robson, of Pembroke Road, is at present on a visit to Stratford.

The monthly meeting of the Stratford School Committee was held on Tuesday evening, Mr. J. W. Boon presiding. The headmaster (Mr. P. Tyrer) reported that a total of £7O 8s Bil had been paid to the credit of the building fund. With the additional amount collected by the committee, he assumed that there would be enough in hand to approach the Education. Board for a subsidy. The incoming visiting committee were appointed to confer with the headmaster in regard to further canvassing, and it was decided to notify the board that the committee would not be able to set the cocoa scheme in motion this year., , Major Hine, M.P., wrote enclosing a letter from the Minister for Education with regard to the new Technical High School lor Stratford. Thn Minister stated that he was doing his best to expedite matters. The secretary and Mr. Finney were appointed to prepare a list of stationery required at the school and the prices paid, for the information of the Stratford branch of the Taranaki School Committees' Association.

Mr. Edward M'cCluggage, who has been on the Stratford staff of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. during the absence of Mr. A..H. Percy on active service, was before relinquishing his position in favor of Mr. Percy presented by the manager, Mr. W. A. Hewitt, on 'behalf of the staff, with a, brief bag. The marriage took place at Holy Trinity Church yesterday of Lillian Melvy Miers, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. V. W. Miers, of Pembroke Road, and Harold Vernon Rickotts, fourth son of Mrs. Rickotts,. of Kapvmi. The Rev. Howard officiated. The bride was attired in crepe de chene, with overdress pi cjfuun Bis*®, SJwsfc-o^Mpt^jwttei'

dox veil and orange blossoms and carried a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers. The bridesmaid, MiSB Jessie Miens, wore a pale-blue voile dress with pink hat trimmed with blue. Mr. Moslyn Ricketts,' brother of the bridegroom, was best man. The guests were entertained at a wedding breakfast at Smith's. Later, the newlywedded pair left by motor-car for Riverlea, their future home. The People's Auctioneering Company are holding an important sale of furniture, farm implements, live stock, and motor cars at the homestead of Mr. Bones, Warwick Road East, to-morrow (Friday). Particulars are advertised. _ The Parliamentary Union in connection with the Kgmont Club last evening debated "The National Dress Hill;" There wiis a moderate attendance. The Hill was introduced by Air. Gibson and supported by Messrs 'Aylward, Hewitt, Role, Prior, and liicheno, and opposed by Messrs Jackson, North, Ward, Alcock. and Morrison, and on a vote being taken it was carried by fl to 3. Mr. Gibson, on behalf of the. Government, tendered his resignation, and Mr. Campbell .Tackson undertook to form a. Ministry. The subject of the next debate will be "Abolition of Toll Gates."