STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1922, Page 6

STRATFORD.

STRATFORD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for publication in the Taranaki Daily News should tative, Mr. W. H. Humphrey, Broadway, Stratford. Orders for papers may also be left with him. BACKBLOCKS SETTLERS. MR. R. MASTERS’ TOUR. May 1. Mr. R. Masters, M.P., returned on Saturday from a week’s tour of the backblocks portion of his electorate. During the tour Mr. Masters received a number of deputations from settlers, mostly regarding communications, which in many parts of the back country Mr. Masters found to be in a shocking state. Mr. Masters traversed many miles of rough country on horseback and was everywhere well received. At Tahumaroa on Thursday a deputation consisting of Messrs. A. J. Bray j and T. Edmonds waited on the mem- ■: her with reference to matters affectI ing access to their farms. The only approach to their sections, it was pointed out, was by a cable across the j Whangamomona river. Mr. Masters replied that he had taken the matter up with the Minister of Public Works, who had described it as a matter for the Land Board of the district. He told the deputation that he understood that an amount of accumulated “thirds” was standing to the credit of these sections with the County Council, and he advised the deputation to find out the position regarding these “thirds.” Provision had been made by legislation whereby the Lands Department had power to build bridges giving access to such land, the holders of the sections being liable for interest at 6 per cent. Later in the day a meeting was held ■ in the old Tahumaroa schoolhouse, the j following being present: Messrs. E. Callaghan. G. Murphy. C. Grant, H. ‘ Rawlinson, Hunter. D. Murray. D. L. | Rose. 'W. Laurenson, W. Bacon, J. Wai- , lace. B. Neutroski and Saddlier. I Mr. Callaghan expressed pleasure in welcoming Mr. Masters to the district for the second time in the year. Mr. (Masters was carrying out his plan of . visiting the outskirts of the electorate and inquiring into the needs of the settlers. His influence in Parliament would necessarily be more weighty , through having personally investigated the wants of the district. i Mr. Murphy referred to the metalling scheme for the main road and to the necessity of opening up the Taumata--1 Mahoe. which would become the main | road to Raetihi and improve the pros--1 pects of the district. 1 Mr. Bacon suggested that the district should be explored for deposits of metal. It would be absurd to go on : with a £20,000 scheme without first I finding out where they stood regarding metal. The matter of forest reserves was referred to by Mr. Grant. There were 1 700 to 900 acres of reserves in the dis- ‘ trict which should be opened up for settlement. or the Government snould ■ bear the expense of fencing them. . There was little milling timber in these reserves after the "Bush had been felled, j Some of the settlers were cut off from the river by the reserves, all of which only harbored wild pigs. : Replying, Mr. said everywhere he went he hoard the same cry , regarding metal. The land was good, and the settlers were of a "'good type, but firstly they needed access. The want of metal had kept the district back for years. As the result of combined effort the sum of £l5OO had been , placed on ' the Estimates , for the Whangamomona Valley Road, but this had not been lifted by the County Council, and the same sum was on the i Estimates this year. The State Ad- ; ; vances Office had reduced advances

i from £lO,OOO to £5OOO. Out of the ’ £5OOO they had accumulated £3500. : which could be used on the Whanga- : momona Valley Road by the County , Council in a comprehensive policy; othi erwise they would be in the same ’position for years. He advised the seti tiers to make representations to the I Government for a subsidy or £3500, 1 making £7OOO to work on. The Govl ernment hex! just floated a loan of £5,000,000 and' probably the whole of this would be spent on public works. This was election year, and there would be a great deal of money splashed. The settlers of Tahumaroa should look out for their share. THE RAILWAY TIME-TABLE. ALTERATION REFUSED. In reply to representations regarding the alteration of the afternoon train ■ service from Stratford, Mr. R. Masters, M.P., has received a letter from the Minister of Railways. The Minister says: “The alteration in the running of this train was made upon the strong representation of the Taranaki District Chambers of Commerce, with the exception of Stratford, and since the alteration has been made the number of communications received make it quite clear that such a delay as would be necessary to the train at Stratford to take 'the scholars would be strongly opposed. Apart from this, there appear to be ample secondary school facilities available in the district, and there is no reason why railway arrangements should ne made ro favour any particular school, more especially when these can only be made at the expense of the convenience of the travelling public. In the circumstances I regret that I cannot see my way to authorise any alteration in the ; existing train service.” 1.0.0. F. OF N.Z. I A large and representative gathering.of brothers and officers of the above : order was held in Whangamomona on Wednesday to fittingly observe the : 103rd anniversary of the founding of the order. Visitors were present'from Te Wera and Stratford Lodges. Bro. A. Klee. D.D.G.M. for North Taranaki, occupied the chair. After the regular service had been carried out addresses were given by representatives of the ' various lodges. Bro. Klee, in his ad- ’ dress, pointed out the rapid rise in the growth of the order during the last century. The order originated in Baltimore. U.S.A., on April 26, 1819, when it consisted of five members. On December 31, 1919, it comprised 30,582 lodtfas* with.a mejaberahip of over two

.millions, and was world-wide. Lodges were in existence throughout the world—in Sweden, Netherlands, Switzerland, U.S.A., Canada, etc. The total relief paid up to 1919 amounted to £1,497.471, and the invested funds dmounted to £ ln New Zealand there are 100 lodges with a membership of 8000, with assets amounting to £146,047. Last year the sum of £26,268 was paid out for relief, and the accumulated funds stood now at £98,955 in the sick fund and £41,402 in the funeral fund. (These figures are as on February 21, 1921). The above figures go to show that the motto of the order is being carried out, viz., to protect the widow and orphan and relieve the distressed. vkddresses were given by Bros. Stamp (l/onatu Lodge), Kidd (Te Wera Lodge), and Uren (Kohuratahi), impressing on brothers the spirit of the order and urging activity in. furthering the same. After the ceremony the visiting brothers were entertained by the Pouatu Lodge at an informal supper, and proceedings were enlivened by songs and recitations. It is expected that two new branches of the order will be instituted in North Taranaki in the near future, when it is hoped to have a visit from the G.M. and other grand lodge officers.

GENERAL ITEMS. Twenty-two births were registered in Stratford during the month of April, as compared with 17 in April of 1921. There were 4 deaths as compared with 3, and 6 marriages as compared with 2. No building permits were issued by the Stratford Borough Council during April. None were issued for the previous month (March). The funeral of the late Mr. E. C. Smith took place at the Kopuatama Cemetery yesterday, members of the Te Wera. Pouatu, Triumph, and 1.0.0. F. lodges being in attendance. The service w r as conducted by the Rev. C. W. Howard, and Bro. McAloon carried out the lodge service. The Musical Society rendered a pleasing programme of vocal items at the Stratford Hospital yesterday. Under beautiful weather conditions there was a good attendance of the public.

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 weeding or birthday presents. We are sole agents in this district for Mies Ayling’s famous studio (Auckland). If you want a souvenir to send to the Old Land we have whaj you want. Fancy needlework materials of all description at Mrs. Humphrey’s, Stratford.

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