STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent.) (All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. .T. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.) CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. „ Sept. 4. A meeting of the executive of tlie Stratford Chamber of Commerce was held on Tuesday evening. Present: Messrs. J. B. Richards (in the chair), YV. McDonald, W. P. Kirkwood, C Martin, and R. Masters. The Collector of Customs wrote stating that it would be for the Minister of Customs to decide whether a license for a bonded warehouse in .Stratford should be granted or not.—The chairman said the question resolved itself into the providing of a suitable building and the payment of the annual fee. It would be to their advantage if the people were prepared to do this. It was, decided that Messrs. Richards and kirkwood wait upon the Minister in Wellington in connection with the matter.

Writing in reply to the Chamber's request that Stratford be made a wool valuing centre, the Premier stated that of 7572 bales of wpol valued at Waitara last season only 575 were railed to Stratford for scouring, and if the valuations were held at Stratford instead of Waitara, it would mean the railing of 7000 bales from Stratford to Waitara for shipment.—The chairman said that the Minister had not understood the request, and further his facts were not correct. The chamber had pointed out that, the local scouring works had been closed down and a number-of men had been thrown out of employment owing to the works not being able to obtain their quota of wool. As this had been remedied, and as the valuations would cease next year the matter could probably be dropped.

A letter was received from the Minister for Agriculture stating that he was having investigations made in reference to the establishment of an experimental farm in the Whangamomona district.— The chairman said that if the Department could get the co-operation of a local committee which would devote a. reasonable amount of time to the project, he did not think there would be much difficulty about the establishment of the farm. A letter from the Hastings Chamber asking for support for a daylight saving measure was merely received. It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs. Kirkwood and Martin, that the ■ Postmaster-General be urged to invite tenders for the carriage of mails by motor between Tahora and Ohura.

It was decided to support the Hawcra Chamber's proposal favoring tho. speeding up of the mail train bptween Kew Plymouth and Stratford, but not to agree to the nomination of the stations at which flio (rain should stop. It was further resolved that representation he made to the Minister with a view to having stopping times at stations reduced to a. minimum, in order to facilitate the speeding up of the train, Mr R- Masters strongly criticised tlie Minister for Public Works for his failure to improve the conditions and wages of men engaged in railway construction, particularly at Tahora. He. pointed on I that the preseni wage of 13s was really less than that paid before the war, being equal to about 8s 5d previous to 1914. and the Chamber was very moderate in ■equesting an increase to a minimum of Its per day. As a result of the Minister's delay in giving effect to the Chamber's request in regard to the conditions on the Main Trunk line, many men were giving preference to the Opunake line. As a matter of fact, there were as' many men on the Opunake line as on the Stratford line. On the motion of Mr. Masters, the following resolution was carried: "That the Chamber protest against the apathy of the Minister in reference to their suggestion to improve the living conditions on the Stratford Main Trunk line and to pay at least 14s per day, and. failing further action by him, that the local bodies of Taranaki be circularised asking their support to the Chamber's .view; also that Messrs Kichards iuid Kirkwood, on their visit to Wellington, make representations to the Minister along these lines."

MODEL DAIRY FARM. The Model Dairy Farm Committee held their monthly meeting on Tuesday Present: Messrs ,1. W. Deem (chairman), •J. B. Richards, S. Pitt, W. H. Were, and R. Dingle. The Farm Committee wen recommended to grow fodder suitable fin ensilage, such as solid straw wheat, vetches, and peas, and to have about ten acres of ground prepared for the purpose. | It was decided to save the veils from any calves not to be reared. It was further resolved to indicate to visitors, by means of notice boards, the areas of old pastures which have been top-dressed with various fertilisers, so that they may be able to observe for themselves the effect of the different fertilisers used. Accounts amounting to £ll6 18s Hd were passed for payment. GENERAL. - A most successful juvenile plain and fancy dress ball was held at Toko on Friday evening last. The grand march was a great 'success. Allied flags were carried by the children, and, with the fancy dresses, a fine spectacle was presented, the beautiful decorations of ferns, flags, etc., greatly improving the good effect. Music was supplied by Mrs. Bianchi (piano), Mr. S. Parker (cornet), and Mr. B. Vinsen (drums). Extras were played by Mrs. Tuck, Mrs. Maunsell, Miss Scott, and Mr. C. Bredow. Messrs Kilpatrick and Gernhoefer acted as M's C. A good supper was provided by the ladies. Nomination papers for students wish; ing to sit for the intermediate examination may be obtained from Mr. J. 11. Thompson, secretary to the Stratford •School Committee. The debate by the Egmont Club Parliamentary Union on "Profiteering," on JVednesday evening, probably the best mat has yet been held, was opened by Mr. E, Young, who presented a brief bill under which it was provided that all profits over and above those defined as reasonable would bo confiscated by the State. Mr. 11. Masters, in a forceful and convincing way, dealt with the primary causes of the increased cost of living. He gave figures, in some cases exact and in others arrived at by careful computation, showing the astounding profits that have been made by shipping companies since the beginning of the war in excess of those earned previously Other speakers were: Messrs C. D. Sole, W. Bicheno, A. R. Masters, W. A. Hewitt, A. Instill, and Gibson. The discussion was found so interesting that it was decided to continue it at the next meeting, when the opening address, will be given by Mr. L. M. Moss. After he has spoken those who took part in the discussion on the first night will bo (jgraittad to speak Again

Thomas Goldsmith was fined £3 for] disorderly conduct in Broadway while i drunk. I

At a meeting of South African War veterans held on Tuesday night there was a fair attendance, and Mr. J. W. McMillan presided. The following resolutioit was carried: "That wo form ourselves into an association to be culled the Taranaki .South African Soldiers' Association, wiili the object of fostering and keeping alive the comradeship that has always existed amongst Die men who served in South Africa, and to work in conjunction with South African soldiers throughout the Dominion to place before the Government our claims to participate in benefits and privileges granted to the returned soldiers from the late war with Germany, and express the hope that an amalgamation of an who have teen active service fighting for the Umpire may be brought about for their future benefit." The following office-bearers were elected: President, Mr. J. W. McMillan; vice-president, Mr. T. Richardson; secretary and treasurer, Mr. T. Lawson: executive, Messrs E. Meredith, J. Butlev, J. Jones, J. Brooks, and other officers. The subscription was fixed at 10s yearly A hard-up fancy dret"» social was held in the Pukenga.hu schoolroom on Wednesday evening. The ladies' prize was. awarded to Miss Glen worth and the gents' to Mr. Christoil'el. Mrs. Bianchi provided the music for the dance, and extras were played by Misses Gibbons and Christoffel and Messrs Gibbons, Coleman, and Christoffel.. Songs were rendered by Messrs P. Aitken and Thomson.