STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1922, Page 6

STRATFORD.

STRATFORD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for publication in the Taranaki Daily News should be left al the office of our local representative, Mr. W. H. Humphrey, Broadway, Stratford. Orders for papers may also be left with him. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE ANNUAL MEETING. March 30. The annual meeting of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce was held at the Borough Council Chambers on Wednesday night. Mr. J. B. Richards (President) was in the chair. f Jn proposing the adoption of the report and balance sheet (already published), Mr. Richards referred appreciatively to* the support accorded the chamber throughout the year. The balance sheet showed a very satisfactory state of affairs. With regard to railways construction, ft seemed that the Govern-

ment was going to adhere to its policy ■ of ceasing work at this end. , Referring to the communications with Tahora, Mr. Richards said it was obvious rhat for some years at leafct a railway through this district would not I be an accomplished fact, and even if it were, the road, being a main arterial one, was an absolute necessity. Telephonic comionnieation in this district was an evergreen question, but he believed the P. and T. Department was now assuming a more favorable frame ' of mind. Representations had been made by the chamber regarding the installation of wireless telephone to bridge the gap, but they did not yet know what the result cf these representations would be. In regard to the proposed new post i office, Mr. Kicharas saict tenders for the . building had been called, but they proved I too high. The department was calling new tenders, and it was hoped these would be successful. The policy of the Minister of PubNc Works, continued Mr. Richards, was to I establish a main arterial road from Auckland to Wellington. It appeared to the chamber that a road bearing this name should not follow the coast line, as was proposed in North Taranaki, but •■ should be placed where it would open I up country on both sides. Representations had been made to the Minister to ■ substitute for this route the road from ' Te Kuiti to Stratford, and this proposal received the support of the Ohura ' and Whangamomona County Councils. The route along the northern coast had ; not yet been finally decided on, and the claims of the Stratford-Te Kuiti Road ‘ should still be pushed. This road would open up immense coalfields, the extent and nature of which were not fully appreciated by the < people of Taranaki. Fertile country and magnifi- ! cent scenery equal to any in Taranaki i would also be made accessible. J Mr. Richards recalled that the reservation of the bush on the Whangamomona route was the work of the Stratford Chamber, it had been demonstrated by geological survey that there were seams of coal in the Tangarakau Gorge, but boring would probably be necessary to prove their value. Referring to the train service, Mr Ri.chards

said a change had taken place on the main line, which proved a great disadvantage to the children attending the . Stratford schools. Representations to ■the department to have the 3 p.m. train from Stratford reinstated had not been as promptly attended to as they might have been, but the chamber was now hopeful that they would get this train ] reinstated. The Stratford post office was a source ( of great annoyance and delay to the ' public, said Mr. Richards, and it was probably the worst of its kind in the Dominion when the volume of business was considered. The chamber had asked the department to make a special case of the Stratford post office and institute • a parcel delivery to relieve the counter work. The building was entirely unsuitable, anff he hoped that steps would | be taken to have an adequate building erected. Mr. Richards urged the necessity for doing something to solve the problem of the back country. There was good back country iirTaranaki which required treatment which they did not yet understand. Arrangements had been made with the Government to carry out man urial experiments in view of the roads and railways so that the travelling public might see the benefits. The motion was seconded by Mr. J. W. McMillan, who said it was gratifying to see the interest taken in the work of the chamber.

The report and balance sheet were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: —President, Mr. J. B. Richards. Mr. Richards’ re-election was eulogistically supported by several members. Vice-presidents, Messrs. J. W. MdMillan and S. Macalister; committee, Messrs. W. P. Kirkwood, D. J. Malone, P. Thomson, Mclnnes, C. W. Martin, W. McDonald and E. H. Young; hon. auditor, Mr. W. McDonald. GENERAL. With reference to telephonic communication at Tahora, Mr. W. P. Kirkwood said, in interviewing the Minister, he was told that the department was not prepared to <fill the gap with a wireless telephone, and it would not permk. a private company to do so. The Mirtfster had said that the only alternative was to get a sum for this work placed on the Estimates. The cost was estimated at £2OOO, but this was considered a mistake, and it was tnougnt the cost would be very much Higher for a metallic circuit. Mr. Masters said permission for the erection of telephone Jnes did not go to the Estimates, but was -ncluded in a general vote for the whe’v Dominion. Mr. Masters moved a very hearty vote of thanks to the outgoing executive, paying a tribute to the work they had done for the district.—Carried. THE £lOOO DRIVE. The £lOOO effort to raise funds for | th.- improvement of the Stratford TeehnAj High School grounds is proceeding .iiiiue. It is expected by to-morrow n v l Lo have completed the sales, and

the prizes will be distributed on Saturday. Good sales were made to-day at the Toko and Midhirst sports meetings, and only a few tickets remain to be disposed of. GENERAL. In reply to representations made to the Minister of Public Works, Mr. R. Masters, M.P. f has been notified that the Government is prepared to subsidise the local bodies concerned to the extent ot £6OO for the carrying out of metalling work on the Strathmore Saddle. Keen observation on the part of a fellow motorist in Stratford this morning probably prevented a motor accident. A small two-seater car was pro ceeding from Fenton Street into Juliet, Street, when the washer holding the wheel fell off. A motorist near by at once hailed th-, driver of the car, who pulled up proii; y, and just as he did so lhe fl ■•nt w eel Gii off. Had th 3 car been era veiling any speed an ac ‘ cident would probably have hai to bt chronicled. At the S*ratfo-a cowling green today an eight-rink match was played between teams representing the Central and Western divisions, the former winning.

THE KING’S THEATRE, STRATFORD. TO-NIGHT. To-night the management of the King’s Theatre, Stratford, anticipate a I packed house to witness the screening of the official pictures of the great fight between Jack Dempsey and Georges Carpentier for the championship of the world. In the 5000 feet which comprise the film, the camera has recorded every movement of note in connection with the preliminaries, the training of the contestants, the gathering of the huge crowds, reviving in the screen spectator that sense of eager anticipation which set the world agog with*excitement on July 2 last. The actual fight itself is pictured in the clearest detail, with special “close-up” views of the exciting moments, particuluarly in the sec ond round, when Carpentier made the terrific onslaught which almost, but not quite, won him the championship of the world, together with a tidy fortune. The great fight picture makes an appeal which goes far beyond the sporting public. Hundreds of ladies have everywhere attended the screening of this film, which the New Zealand Times describes as a picture with a thrill of) reality. The box plan is now open at Humphrey’s, bookseller, Broadway, Stratford. Patrons are advised to book their seats at once.

Country subscribers not receiving their Daily News regularly are asked- to immediately notify our circulation manager, care Mr. W. H. Humphrey, Stratford. Complaints will receive prompt attention.

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