STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 April 1922, Page 6

STRATFORD.

STRATFORD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for publication in the Taranaki Daily News should be left at the office of our local representatative. Mr. W. H. Humphrey, Broadway, Stratford. Orders for papers may also be left with him. .. . .• -u-. FAREWELL FUNCTION. April 22. About 50 friends of Mr. W. P. Kirkwood, one of Stratford’s foremost citizens, gathered at the Borough Council chambers last night to bid him farewell on the eve of his departure for America and England. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) was in the chair and the secretary to the committee of the function, Mr. J. B. Richards, read a large number of apologies for absence from the gathering. The Mayor said nothing gave them greater pleasure than to do honor to their departing guest. He was voicing the opinion of the public when he said that Mr. Kirkwood had done a great ideal for the town and district. Mr. R. Masters, M.P., said Mr. KirkI wood must be gratified by the large and representative gathering. He had prob--1 ably filled more public positions than any other man in the district. Serving his apprenticeship as a borough councillor, he had risen to and retained the position of Mayor of the town for three terms. Mr. E. H. Young, president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association testified to the excellent services rendered by Mr. Kirkwood both as a citizen and a mfi-yor. When. the call had been made on committees for patriotic work Mr. Kirkwood had flung himself, body and soul, into the work and brought Stratford to the front in patriotic work. Stratford had done more per capita in patriotic efforts than any othej town in Taranaki, and this was largely, owing to the activities of Mr. Kirkwood. There [ was still a great deal to do in this ' direction and they could not afford to ; lose the services of such as Mr. Ki rtf - ! wood. Mr. Wm. Power (representing the War Relief Association), said the association recognised that in a period of six years Mr. Kirkwood had not spared himself in war relief work. He had been elected to the position of chairman of the executive committee, and the work accomplished by that body , was in no small measure due to Mr. Kirkwood. It was an honor that the Government had practically adopted Mr. Kirkwood’s policy in the administration of war relief. Mr. J. B. Richards (Chamber of Commerce) expressed the appreciation of the ‘chamber for the help given by Mr. Kirkwood. , , , . , , Mr. D. J. Malone said he claimed to be Mr. Kirkwood’s oldest friend and their association had always been a pleasant one. In a happy speech Mr. Malone said Mr. Kirkwood was a strenuous fighter and an honorable opponent. , After several other speakers had touched on other activities of Mr. i Kirkwood, Mr. McMillan presented Mr. , Kirkwood with the “wherewithal! to purchase a golden cigar ease. ’ In reply, Mr. Kirkwood said that m leaving on the trip he had hoped, to fold up his tent and silently steal away, but it had been willed otherwise. He was proud of the gathering, which he knew was a representative one. He hoped Ito inherit all the good wishes of the i speakers. He did not think he had (done more than his friends in the varii OUS affairs with which he had been idtyitified. Speaking of the future of ! Stratford he. thought nothing was of 1 more importance than the linking up (of the Stratford-Main Trunk railway. J A good road should be put through the I Ohura in the meantime and a sub(stantial motor service instituted between the two railheads, which would induce much traffic to take that route. He was taking the trip because he was i feeling a little stale. He would be ! pleased to bring back any ideas that would be of benefit to his town. His connection with Stratford dated back 30 years. At that time Broadway was unmetalled and planks were put down to allow people to get from the railway station to the County Hotel.

BACKBLOCKS TOUR

Mr. R. Masters, M.P., leaves Stratford on Monday on his annual tour of the backblocks portion of his electorate. On Tuesday he will unveil a memorial to fallen soldiers at Kohuratahi and receive a deputation from the Kohuratahi Settlers Association. On Wednesday he will go down ihe Putikituna Road and the Tangarakau Valley Road to the Wanganui River, and visit the soldier settlement. The Marco Road will be visited on Thursday morning, and the Tahunaroa Settlement in the after noon, Mr. Masters returning to Whangamomona that night. Friday will be spent with the Tahora Settlers’ Association and on the Moki Road, the return to Stratford being fixed for Saturday morning.

GENERAL ITEMS.

The Stratford Card Club opened the season last night with a game, North v. South, the latter winning by the small margin of six games (37 to 31). Following are the results (North mentioned first) : Nelson and Brown 9 v. Breeze and Neal 3; Kilpatrick and Wilson 6 v. Haylock and Anderson 7 ; Green and James 4 v. McFarlane and Mischeski 5; Wells and Sharrock 4 v. Gibson and Jepson 5; Knight and Campbell 1 v. Rowe and Gardner 6; Hutchins and Rudkin 6 v. Anderson and Fowler 4 ; Ferguson 1 v. Hyndman 7. Stratford will play Denbigh Road next Friday night at Denbigh Road. Mrs. H. E. Abraham left for Auckland last night to meet her brother, Mr. Hugh Denniston (son of the late Sir John Denniston), who, with Mrs. Denniston, is visiting New Zealand from Punta Arenas, South America, where they have resided for some years. Mr. Abraham this morning received a wireless message from Mr. Denniston on the Manuka, stating that they were all well and hoping to be in Stratford in a few days. A meeting of the Stratford Tennis Club last evening was presided over by the president, Mr. H. Masters. Resolutions were carried endorsing the action of the committee in arranging for new courts at Victoria Park, and an executive was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Clark, Lightband and Lawrence, with power to add to their number, to make final arrangements with the Borough Council on behalf of dub. It wm decided to close the other £

courts in Regan Street and to shift the equipment. The Rev. L. B. Neale left for Auckland this morning, having received advice of the death of Mrs. Neale’s mother (Mrs. Clara Vickers) as the result of' being knocked down by a motor in Ponsonby Road.

The Mayoress will be glad to receive contributions of flowers on Monday, at the Council Chambers, for wreathing the roll of honor and the soldiers’ graves on Anzac

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.

Call at W. H. Humphrey's (Stratford News office) and inspect a consignment of leather and wood work articles in marquetry and poker-work. Beautiful wedding or birthday presents. We are sole agents in this district for Miss Ayling’s famous studio (Auckland). If you want a souvenir to send to the Old Land we have what you want. Fancy needlework materials of all description at Mre. Humphrey’s, Stratford.