STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1920, Page 6

STRATFORD.

TARANAKI DAILY NSWS. STRATFORD AGENCY. , Advertisements and items of news for publicutiou should be left at the office of the local representative, W. 4. Wilson, next Union Bank. CHAMBER OK COMMENCE. Stratford, Dec. 8. Tie roiitKy meeting of Ui.; executive oi tli.! S..i;ttyoid Chamber of Ocujinuce wa:- lield lust evening, I'rjioa*: Mess:s J. ii r.d&rd, (chairman), W. IJ.1 J . Kirkwood, C. .Martin, S. MeAlijter. \" McDunalj, T. J .Salmon, P. Them on ani b. L.a'cnc With reference to the Chamber's proposal that slot telephones be provided in Stratford, the Postal Department wrote stating that the matter was under consideration.—lt was decided to again write, drawing the attention of the authorities to the matter.

Correspondence in connection with the plans of the new post office was received from Mr. K. Masters, M.P., to the effect that the "plans had been approved, and tenders were to be called at an early date.—The members considered the Department was very dilatory in regard to the matter, and'it was decided to write to the member for the district asking him to endeavor to ascertain when the tenders would be called.

The secretary reported that he had circularised all the dairy companies in Taranaki asking them to endeavor to arrange for their indents to come direct to New Plymouth.—The chairman said that he had interviewed the chairman of the National Dairy Association, who had promised to use all reasonable endeavor to support the proposal.

A letter was received from the chief postmaster, New Plymouth, stating that the Department was unable to accede to the Chamber's request for a parcels delivery service in Stratford.—lt was decided to communicate with the Post-master-General in regard to the matter.

The Matau Settlers' Association wrote asking for the Chamber's support in the Association's endeavor to have their district merged in the Stratford County.—The chairman said that upon receipt of the letter he had agreed to wait on the County Council in support of the petition for the merger, but tite Council was opposed to taking the district into tke County.—The chairman's action in supporting the Association in the matter was endorsed. *

Mr. McDonald brought up the matter of the Board of Trade's allocation in regard to sugar, contending that some grocers received more than they were entitled to, while others did not get a fair sbare.—lt was decided to communicate with the Board of Trade, stating that the Chamber had received complaints from several traders in Stratford to the effect that they were unable to receive the supplies of sugar to which they were entitled, and also asking that the Board of Trade be requested to state the basis of distribution.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the Stratford School Committee was held last night. Present: Mr. J. W. Boon (chairman), Mesdames Hollands and Phillips, and Messrs G. Smart, W. Pinhev, and D. M. Clark. The headmaster (Mr. F. Tyrer) Reported that the attendance at the primary school had fallen off to a rather markejl extent, accompanied by absence of children through whooping cough, and this might have the effect of reducing the stall' at the end of the year. The average attendance for the quarter was 454 out of 670 on "the roll. There were certain provisions, however, which might be availed of to prevent a reduction of staff. Referring to the staff, Mr. Tyrer said that Miss Dunn and Miss Murray, two splendid teachers, were resigning at the end of the year, and Miss Sage would come back in the new year. Sir. Adlam would then go back to the primary department, and there would be one vacancy. New appointments were now made by the Department, and whichever teacher was highest in the grade would get the appointment. This, he thought, was not a step in the right direction, as far as the bigger schools were concerned, because, while the elder men were higher up in the grade the younger men often were more valuable. Mr. Tyrer suggested that as the new school would probably bp opened next year, and this would be the last year of the District High School, it was fitting that there should "be such a fine collection of prizes to give out. He would also like the committee to give £lO for prizes and £3 for sweets for breakingup dajj and suggested that the prizes lihoujd be given out on December 10. The work of the school during the year had been as good as in any other year, and the whole tone of the school' was excellent. He was gratified that such •was the case, because of it being his last year as headmaster. Mr. Tyrer also referred to the work of Mr. Johnson as agricultural instructor, Mrs. Moore as domestic science teacher, and Mr. Gorringe as woodwork instructor. The committee decided to vote £lO for prizes and £5 for sweets for break-ing-up day, the expenditure being left in the hands of the headmaster.

The baths committee reported that the baths had been put in order, and general repairs tarried out. They were opened for the school children last Monday week and the admission of the public was left to the discretion of the caretaker. it was decided that the following be the prices for season tickets for "the baths: Men 10s fid, ladies at, children under 18, is 6d. The reports of the caretaker and the visiting committee were received. It was decided to ask the Education Board to repair the girls' shelter shed on the west side of tlie school, and Mr. Clark was authorised to procure timber for repairs to the fence. I'he action of the chairman in Wtting tin I "contract for the new girls' shelter i*lifid, was confirmed. Th>? secretary of the School Committees' Association notified that Mr. S. 0. Smith, M.P., would deliver an address on the new Education Act at the school ion Friday.

PRESISYTEIUAN SALE OF WORK. The Ladies' Cuild of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church held their annual sale of work in the Schoolroom yesterday afternoon and evening, and, notwithstanding the unpropitioiirt weather, a splendid attendance was recorded. The ' various stalls were in charge of the following ladies: Afternoon tea, Mesdames j McCluggage, McDonald, and Ross assisted by Mr*. Henry and Miss Blizproduce. MrsT Phillips; plain,_se\v- | ing stall, Mesdames Pe'frie, Mackay" and IWorthington; cake stall, Mrs. Smart W Milt Tliemjion; fast/ t ull, 2fea-

dames Davidson and Le Rois; flowers, Mrs. Morison and Corkill; sweets, Misses Worthington, Richardson, and McArthur. Mrs. Browning and other ladies also assisted in various capacities. .

The cash sales netted the handsome sum of £B6.

During the evening a musical programme was gone through, items being contributed as follows: Songs, Misses Phillips, Jackson, and McC'ormack, and Messrs P. Aitken and N. R. Wilson; recitations, Misses Ross and Wilson; paiuoforte duet, Misses Cvaemor and Richardson. Mesdames P. Thomson and W. J. Wilson were the accompanists. On closing the sale the Rev. J. W. McKenzie expressed the thanks of the session to all who had worked to make the function such a complete success, and also to those who had helped the church during the year. A vote of thanks was also accorded to those who had contributed items during the evening, and the proceedings closed with the singing of the doxology.

GENERAL. The annual school concert will be held in the Town Hall to-morrow (Thursday) night at 7.'4*5.' An excellent programme has been arranged and a large attendance is anticipated. The annual picnic of the Stratford school will be held at the Breakwater, Moturoa, on February 3, 1921. Miss Dora Phillips, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. Phillips, of Stratford, has accepted an engagement to join the Chautauqiiii organisation during its next tour of the Dominion. She will have charge of the junior Chautauqua movement.

T. Lamason wishes to give a final reminder of a sale to-morrow on account of Mrs. Huse, Midhirst. In recent years art calendars have greatly increased in popularity as Christmas presents, making an inexpensive and a most acceptable gift. A beautiful display of the latest novelties in art calendars for 1921 is at present made by H. J. Hopkins, bookseller and stationer, and those desirous of securing the pick of these should call and inspect without delay.. Prices range from 1/- upwards. Photographs taken now can be finished in good time for posting before Christmas. Can you think of anything so personal, so appropriate as a photograph' for a cherished gift? Let Mc Allister do it and it will please both giver and recipient Studio, Broadway, Stratford.