STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1922, Page 6

STRATFORD.

DAILY NEWS AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for publication in the Taranaki Dally News should be left at the office of our local representatative, care Mr. W. H. Humphrey, Broadway, Stratford. Orders for papers may also be left with him. AIARDI GRAS CARNIVAL. GROWING ACTIVITY. Oct. 2. lie Stratford Mardi Gras carnival is now in full swing, and the town, on >o?u-is’ons, bears a festive appearance. Cn Saturday afternoua a band of col lectors were on the streets soliciting (donations in the interests o-f the various queen candidates in return for flowers. On Saturday night two pierrot troups, one representing the sports queen committee and one the Fire Brigade were active. Each troup was mounted on a gaily decorated and lighted motor lorry, was armed with various musical and other instruments, and by dint of every known device attracted the attention and the spare cash of the assembled crowds. Each troup vied with the other in endeavoring to create the greater noise. The “Sheik,” mounted on a snow-white Arab charger, was an arresting figure—arresting in the sense that, with remarkable horsemanship, he caught up two fair pierrettes in the most approved Arabian style and rode away with one pierrette fore and one aft of his saddle.

Having caused the curious Stratford residents to pay dearly for their curiosity, the troups advanced on Eltham, and there exacted another heavy toll from the quickly gathered crowd. When the Eltham picture house emptied its patrons on the street the two heavily armoured lorries were lying in ambush nearby, and in a surprise raid deadly work was done with collection box and vote ticket block.

The committees supporting the other candidates are not idle, and comprehensive programmes of dances and other functions have been drawn up. For a sports meeting on October 19 the Stratford A. and P. Association has granted the use of the A. and P. grounds. On Wednesday night an open air dance will be held on the Midhirst tennis courts in support of the Alidhirst and Wharehuia candidate, and on the same night the associated shop assistants will hold a dance in the Parish Hall. Last night a very successful dance was held in the Forresters’ Hall to further + he interests of the Fire Brigade candidate, and a large number of other fixtures are being arranged.

An Ugly Alen’-s Association has now been formed and promises to return a great profit. The procedure is that the organiser nominates the first “ugly man.” who has recourse against the multitude by nominating another on payment of a. fee of ss. The conclusion of this association will be reached when a nominee refuses to pay the fee and pass the compliment on, the last nominee thus becoming “the ugliest man in Stratford.” The list of “ugly” men is already a growing one. and bears the names of several well-known residents.

THE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. At a meeting of the Stratford A. and P. Society on Saturday the offer of the Stratford Brass Band to play at the show on People’s Dav was accepted. The committee of the Mardi Gras sports candidate applied for permission to use the A. and P. grounds for a sports meeting on October 19.—Granted. It was reported that the work in connection with improvements to the main entrance to the grounds was well in hand, and it was resolved to endeavor to complete the job on Thursday, when a working bee will again be held. VITAL STATISTICS. The vital statistics for Stratford for the month of September are as follows, the figures for the corresponding period of last year being given in parentheses: Births 26 (17); deaths 4 (6); marriages i 7 (7). The figures for the quarter end--1 ing September 30 are: Births 72 (65); deaths 19 (14); marriages 16 (22). GENERAL ITEMS. Miss N. English, who comes from a London school under the system of exchange of teachers, has taken up her duties at the Stratford Technical High School, in succession to Miss Sage. A farewell social to Mrs. and Mr. W. A. Woodward, who are leaving Stratford for Hamilton, was held in the Methodist Sunday School on Saturday night. Miss

Board, who has left for Hawera, was also the recipient of a presentation. > The residents of Stratford and district are notified that Ernest Davies, the London qualified sight-testing optician, visits Stratford every Tuesday, and may . be consulted at Mr. Gaffaney’s, Broadway. Hours: 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Let Your Girls Learn to Sew.—2 Traced D’Oyleys, with white or colored cottons for working, post free for 1/6; 2 traced d’oyleys. with white or colored cotton for working, in better quality, post free 1/10; traced camisoles in various shapes, with white or colored cotton