STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1922, Page 7

STRATFORD.

DAILY NEWS AGENCY. Adrertlsements 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. TOWN IMPROVEMENTS. UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEVED. July 14. Deplorable as it inay be at the present time, unemployment has not been an unmixed evil so far as Stratford is concerned, in-as-much as it has given an impetus to improvement work about the town. About forty men are now employed on various works, making permanent improvements tin the streets and public places. Thirty of these are working on the streets under the borough council’s unemployment relief scheme, while ten returned soldiers are at work in Victoria Park. These latter are being paid from the Poppy Day fund of £7's, which carries a borough subsidy of a similar amount. A new entrance has been formed leading into the park beside the new tennis courts, and a pathway is being formed to the proposed bridge across the lake. This bridge will be a great acquisition to the park, which at the present time is divided into two parts by the lake. It is possible, were it not for the position brought about by the unemployment problem, that these works would not have been undertaken for some time, and the prompt action of the Borough Council in meeting the position in a practical manner is being favorably commented upon. If Stratford has been backward in beautification or the provision of pleasure grounds for the public it apparently has no intention of remaining so. Nine new tennis courts are well on the way towards completion, the laying down of a good football ground in Victoria Park is being provided for, and a caretaker will be appointed next week to keep these grounds in order.

The erection of a full-width bridge across the Patea River in Broadway, now well under way, is in keeping with the Borough Council’s policy of advancement, and will be a decided improvement to the southern end of the town. The contract price for this bridge is £13,009, the greater portion of which will be expended within the town, the work meanwhile providing employment for a large gang of men. With other works in contemplation the employment question, so far as Stratford is concerned, is under control.

GUN CLUB SHOOT. The Stratford Gun Club held an enjoyable and successful shoot on Messrs Nelson and Green’s property, East Road, yesterday afternoon. Two important competitions were held. The Colonial Ammunition Company’s medal was won by Mr. S. D. Coleman, of Eltham. For the Ballistite Cup Messrs Coleman, H. Harrison and B. Green tied. The detailed results are: Sparrow match for C.A.C. medal and sweepstake, I*2 birds.—S. D. Coleman (handicap 20 yds), 12 birds, 1; F. Whittle (23yds), 11 birds *2. Also competed: H. Harrison (*22yds) 7, A. Nelson (22yds) 9, F. Casey (22yds) 5, J. Jackson (22yds) 9, B. Green (JByds) 7, J. Scott (17yds) 8, W. P. Jenkins (17yds) and J. Petrie (17yds) retired. Ballistite Cup and sweepstake. I*2 birds.— S. D. Coleman (18 yds), H. Harrison (20yds), and B. Green (17 yds) tied with ten birds each, and in the shoot off Coleman won and Harrison was second. Also competed: F. Whittle (12yds) 9, A. Nelson (19yds) 9, F. Casey (17yds) 7. J. Jackson (15yds) 4, W. P. Jenkins (15yds) 9, J. Petrie (14yds) 9, J. Scott (lyds) 7. Quail Drive, five birds.—B. Green, J. Petrie, and F. Casey tied with two each, and in the shoot-off Green won. Six competed.

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH. The annual meeting of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian congregation was held on Wednesday night, there being a fair attendance. The session clerk (Dr. Steven) reported that the services were well attended. The average attendance at communion was 79, not counting Ngaere, Toko and Te Popo. Sixteen new members joined during the year and six disjunction certificates were granted. An outstanding feature of the year’s work was the progress made by the Bible classes.

The superintendent of the Sabbath school (Mr. A. Lilley) reported that the roll number was 9’2. The services of Misses Cameron and Thompson had been lost and the superintendent appealed for more teachers .to take their places. The secretary of the Young Women’s Bible Class (Miss C. Miller) reported that the roll number was 17, with an average attendance of 14. The senior Bible Class secretary (Mr. J. A. Aagaard) reported a roll number of 24. The two junior young men’s Bible classes, under the leadership of Dr. Gordon and Mr. Baird, each had a roll number of 12.

The report of the Presbyterian Women’s Union (Mrs. P. Thomson, secretary) stated that the membership was 28. The members had collected £5O for foreign and Maori missions and £23 13s for Home missions. Chinese Mission goods to the value of £63 15s had been sold. For the Ladies’ Guild Miss Ross reported a roll number of 31. Functions held by this guild during the year had been very successful, and £99 had been raised.

Mr. T. Aylward, secretary, on behalf of the managers, paid a tribute to the Rev. J. W. McKenzie, not only for his work in St. Andrews, but also in connection with the combined services in the town, which, with his interest in manly sport, had secured for him the respect and appreciation of all shades of religious and public opinion. The Rev. McKenzie, who was greeted with applause, appealed for still better attendances at the church. He also asked the congregation to be sociable to strangers and newcomers. He had been greatly assisted in his work by Mrs. McKenzie.

Messrs P. Aitkin. A. Lilley. T. Aylward. M. Phillips and A. Ferguson were re-elected managers, and Messrs D. McMillan, A. R. Ames, Chisholm, Head,

Turner, Baird, Hunger and J. G. Aagaard were appointed new managers. KING’S THEATRE. Tile Paramount picture “Gappy Ricks,” featuring Thomas Meighan and Agnes Ayres, will be screened at the King’s Theatre to-day and to-night, and also on Monday night for the last time. “Cappy Ricks” contains the biggest fight of the screen, shipwreck scenes that will take away your breath and tense dramatic situations all welded into the greatest sea romance ever put on the screen. The supporting items include Gazette, Educational, Serial and a Harold Lloyd comedy. The box plan is at Humphrey’s, Broadway Stratford; usual prices. :