STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1920, Page 6

STRATFORD.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent.) {All communications, letters, etc., left wltb Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive urompt attention.) i " PRINCE OF WALES' VISIT. April 19. The following is the programme to be carried out at Stratford oil Friday week, in connection with the visit of the Prince of Wales to the borough: — Train to arrive at railway station at 12.8 p.m. The Prince will be met by the Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan), who will conduct His Royal Highness to the platform on the opposite 6ide of the street, about 30 yards from the station, where the Mayor will read the Address of Welcome, and the Prince will reply. The Mayor will then ask His Royal Highness to go into the Copicil Chamber, which will be almost immediately behind the platform, and see the mothers of Stratford soldiers killed in the war. Returned soldiers will be formed up between the platform and Council Chanybers. The will walk back to train (which departs at 12.23) passing through ranks of school children on the way. School children from as far north as Waiongona and as far south a3 Eltjiam will take part in the ceremony, and arrangements are being made for bringing them to Stratford.

A RECORD RAINFALL. During the week end Stratford experienced what was a record rainfall for I many years past, approximately 7 inches falling between midnight on Saturday and 11 o'clock this morning. Throughout yesterday the wind-driven rain fell without abatement, and very few people ventured out of doors- This morning it continued to' fall very heavily until about 11 o&lock, when it gradually cleared, a beautiful afternoon following until just before 6 p.m., when another shower came on. As a result of t'ie rainfall the Patea river was in heavy flood yesterday and to-day. At the dam' near the borough hydro-electric station, the water rose 5 feet 3 inches, but at other parts it toso cveh higher. The power from the hydrostation was switched oft' at 3 p.m yesterday, when the staff commenced to dear away some 'of the debris ivwopt down the river. Power was switched on again at 10.15 p.m. yesterday and remained on (ill 7.!5 am. to-day. The weir, which it was expected would collapse at the heavy flood, has so far fithstor.d the enormous pressure against it, but owing to the discoloration of the water it was impossible to ascertain whether the upper deekinu remained. One result of (he heavy raffle was that the old Finnerty Road bridge over the Waingoncora river, between Ngaere station and the Hastings Road, has been swept away. The bridge has been considered unsafe for some time past and a new bridge is at present in course of Construction, so the loss, although it will cause a considerable amount of inconvenience to the settlers in the immediate vicinity, will not fall very heavily upon the county councils. A few planks from the new bridge are reported to have also been washed awav, and Mr. ■f. W" Spence, engineer to the Stratford County Council, visited the locality today for the purpose of ascertaining the exact damage done.

Every family should have its picture history. How about yours? Photographs of the children never grow up. They will be a never-failing source of pleasure and interest in years to come Make an appointment with McAllister, of Stratford. You'll never regret it. A large assortment of the latest and best novels have just arrived at H. J. Hopkins', bookseller and stationer, Stratford. There are over one hundred titles to choose from, all by the best of authors, and in 5s fid and 6s editions. Also a splendid selection of new titles in 2s fid editions. Just to hand:—"Mr. Punch's History of the Great War"—a wonderful book. Call and inspect. Now is the time for motorists to preBare for comfortable and cosy travelling (luring the winter months, by having the hoods of their cars seen to. C. D. Matthews, Page Street, Stratford, carries full stocks of the best materials for hoods, and will guarantee the best workmanship ait 'the lowest possible price.