STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1920, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(Tram Our Own Correspondent.) (All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will racslv* prompt attention.) -.- .1 ..■ Jan. 3rd. For the farm and garden the season has been far from satisfactory. The long drought, only broken by a little light rain which scarcely penetrated the surface of the ground, has had a. most injurious effect upon all growths. 'The hay crop will be very light, and in many cases hardly worth gathering, and crops generally are makin; little headway. That there will be a .-.iiortage of winter feed is certain unless the weather conditions vastly improve. Gardens are very backward, and potato crops, which suffered severely from late frosts, have not had a chance with the dry weather to recover, and are in some cases almost worthless. The rain on Saturday morning was very welcome, but the good done was to some extent counteracted by the wind, which., sprang up later in the day. Some people seem to think that it is a fair and proper thing to exploit those who attend race meetings, and charge the highest prices for the poorest services that can be given. Complaints have often been made about the luncheon and afternoon teas served at race meetings, and while there is some excuse for deficiencies when there are extraordinary crowds to handle, it seems hardly right that people should be charged is 6d per head on entering a refreshment room for "what they were about to receive," and find after waiting for some time that they could get no attention whatever. Some state that at times only a few fragments were obtainable, and tea could only be had by going to the kitchen for it, and not always then. The refreshment room seems to have been in a state of absolute confusion, and the complaints have been pretty general.

The town showed signs of swinging back into its old gait to-day, and business was proceeding as usual. The number of people in town was not as large as is usual on a Saturday, and the commercial houses and offices still have their doors closed.

A couple of visitors to Stratford were much impressed with the beauties of King Edward Park, which, they said, gave Stratford a distinction of winch it had every right to be proud. They considered, however, that with a littlo expenditure the attractiveness of the park could be greatly increased, and it was suggested | that a few rest seats should be placed in suitable places, and the glories of the bush made more apparent to visitors by the blazing of a few tracks.

Reduce the depreciation in your motor car by taking it to C. D. Mathews. Stratford, and if it is mechanically sound lie will return it looking as well as when you first bought it, at a very small cost. The best paints and varnishes, und workmen who know their trade. Reunions, family gatherings, etc., will naturally be the usual thing during the holiday season. Consult McAllister, Photographer, Stratford, about a permanent record of such. Group photographs are always interesting for present and future isi'erence. Save yourself trouble and avoid loss by providing yourself with the means for keeping records of those things you need fo remember. Get a 1020 diary from ,T. K. Hopkins without delay. These diaries contain a lot. of useful information in handy form, and enn be obtained in sizes tu suit requirements.