STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1920, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Out Own Correspondent.) (All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hojjkini, boolMeller, will recelre prompt attention.) ! Feb. 10. The great majority of tlie business people have given their support to the petition in circulation asking that the Stratford telephone exchange be open continuously, but before the change can be made it requires the support of the users of residential telephones. The petition is still in circulation and should be ready before long. The change means an increase of £2 10s in the' charge for busines's telephones, but no increase in the case of residential telephones. There is a decided shortage of shops and offices in Stratford just now, and several firms desirous of opening businesses are held up, because no premises are available. Only one building, containing offices, js in course of erection, and work on it has been delayed owing to the cement shortage. Mr- J. 1). Healy, architect, is, however, preparing plans for a two storey block of buildings, to be.erected in concrete at the coiner of Began Street arid Broadway, to the order of Mr. J. Petrie. The ground floor .will consist of shops and the first floor will contain offices. Mr. and Mrs. G. E. James have returned from a three weeks' motor tour of the North Island. They first visited the Hawke's Bay district, and from there went to Tauranga, Rotorua, Hamilton and back to Stratford via Mount Messenger- During the whole of the jommey of .900 miles they had not the slightest tyre trouble, although some of the roads were very rough. Mr. James says that the country throughout was looking very well and the stock appeared to be in good condition. Mr. A. Ncedham.-Tvho has resided at Douglas for neaj-ly 15 years, has disposed of his property to Mr. W. G.' Lester, of Hawera, and will be leaving shortly for the Waikato.

When the members of the local fire brigade arrived in Victoria Park this morning for their usual,practice for the forthcoming brigade demonstration, they fonid.'.a horse struggling in the lake, unable to get out. A member of the brigade stripped off, and swam out to the animal with a rope which he tied round its , neck- The horse was then dragged out by the other members of the brigade. A shortage of cement is hampering building operations in Stratford, one firm having had to put off eight men. Work on the new technical school is beincr held up, as well as a number of dwelling houses. Belief is expected about the end of the week, when fresh supplies of cement are due to arrive. • No lwildinsr permits have been issued bv the Borough Council this month, but there are about ten houses at present in course of erection.

■i* v On February 10th, the schools will be re-opening, and the kiddies are now preparing to resume their lessons, after the long holiday they have had. The selection of school requirements is an important matter, and" wise parents will make a point of inspecting the full stoek at H. J. Hopkins', bookseller and stations, Broadway. Here they will find everything the kiddies require, and always at the lowest possible price. . Welcome, farewell, appreciative, or any other kind of illuminated address can be supplied promptly, and to the satisfaction of both giver and recipient. Consult McAllister, the Studio, Stratford,

Reduce the depreciation in your motor car by taking it to C. D. Mathews, Stratford, and if it is mechanically sound he will return it looldng as well as when you first bought it, at a very small cost. The best paints and varnishes, andworkmen who know their trade.