STRATFORD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1189, 14 December 1894, Page 18

STRATFORD.

The anomaly of calling a road which trends northward the “ East road is now done away with, as it has been officially, announced that for the future the East road is to be named the Ohura road. It is not quite such a distinctive name, as there are several roads with names not altogether unlike it. It will take some time, no doubt, before it is universally used. The Stratford State School children have undergone their annual examination for the last time by Inspector Murray. The examination lasted three days, and resulted in a satisfactory percentage of passes. At the conclusion a presentation was made to Mr Murray by Mr Irvine on behalf ot the children. It consisted of an illuhimated address and a painting, the work of one of the boys, Master Seabright. The Roman Catholic church was consecrated by Archbishop Redwood on the 2nd inst. There was a large congregation, and tho collection was most liberally responded to, the handsome amount of -£l3O being taken, „ . . , ~ , Mrs-- Milne,, of tho Pomoroko rpad, died after a painful, illness. The funeral took place on the sth instr. For the past week everyone has been expressing sympathy and regret at the illness of Constable Leahy, said to have been brought on by overwork, anxiety and agitation of mind. The news of his sudden death on the train, in which he was being taken to Wellington, came as a great shock to all Stratford, where he was deservedly popular. All the circumstances attending his illness and death were peculiarly distressing, lie having been taken to New Plymouth, then back again, and then towards Weliington in a state of mind and health which seemed to demand rest and quiet. He was suffering from softening of the brain, and died from failure of the heart’s action. His widow and children will have the deepest sympathy of his many friends. A very painful accident happened to J ohn McAlley, working beyond Strathmore on the co-operative works. He was so seriously injured as to be quite helpless, *>nd a stretcher was improvised and a number. of men carried him out. The heat was intense, and the distance they had to traverse was over thirty miles on a very rough road. All who could render them any assistance freely and unselfishly did so, and the party reached Stratford just in time to send the sufferer on to the New Plymouth Hospital by the evening express train. It is said that his family are residing in New Plymouth. Altogether it must have been a terrible journey. The National Bank has at length decided to do business daily in Stratford, and are opening premises for that purpose. Another dressmaker, Mrs Staples, of Sydney, has established herself in the town. The ladies are well catered for with at least seven dressmakers in Stratford. Balls and dances will soon be over for this season now that summer has really come upon us. Most people are voting that it is quite too hot for dancing, but there is to be a grand plain and fancy dress ball at Eltham, on the 14th, To celebrate the opening of the Athenaeum Hall. The various districts are now engaged organising the pleasant picnics which, by excellent custom, follow the breaking up of the schools.

Haymaking is now in progress. Stratford, December 5. It is said that some weeks ago the late Constable Leahy, finding that his vast amount of work made serious inroads on his health, asked for leave of absence, but did not get it, hence his breakdown Public opinion points strongly to the tact that the Government imposed far too much work on Constable Leahy for one man to do with safety. _ . ' . The National Bank of New Zealand intend opening a permanent branch in Stiatford, under the management of Mr Bayly. Hitherto their branch hero has only been open on Tuesdays and Fridays. Sunday was observed as a red letter day by the Roman Catholics of this district, when Archbishop Rodwood consecrated the new church at Stratford. There was a crowded congregation at each service. In tho morning it was announced that the collection and subscriptions reached the

handsome sum of <£l3o. Thei Archbishop was assisted by Fathers Mulvihill (Haweia), Golden, McKenna (New Plymouth) and Healey. The church cost about <kl/OU, and has seats for 300. ST" Mrs Barbara Milne, wife of Mr W. Milne, a highly-respected settler m the | Pembroke road, died on the 3rd from the effects of an internal cancer. Mr' F. McGuire, M.H.R., had the misfortune to lose by death his little daughter Kathleen, who died on Saturday. Mr C. Lewis, who so long has run successfully the Manaia Hotel, has disposed of it to Mr T. J. Howard, late of the Commercial Hotel, Hawera. The Ngaire Co-operative Factory is receiving 2000 gallons of milk per day. *3 key sent away 17 tons of cheese on Saturday, and will have 22 more tons ready before the end of the year. The weather is very warm just now, and feed grows faster than stock can consume it. ...

Business all round is improving, and it is hard to find a man out of work. In fact, in some parts of the district labour is reported to be scarce. Mr Brown’s sawmill at Ngaire is closed for an overhaul, f but will resume early m the new year. ’ An enquiry was held on the 3rd .at Eltham, before the Coroner, concerning the late fire at Keane’s Hotel. The jury returned a verdict that there was no evidence as to the origin of the fire. The house and furniture were insured for The damage has been estimated at <£sl os. Mr Collins, proprietor of the Midhurst Hotel, has disposed of his business to Mr Couchman, of Wanganui. Stratford, December 8.

The high esteem in which the late Constable Leahy was held was shown by the large attendance at his funeral yesterday. The whole town suspended business, and clergymen of each denomination followed his remains. Inspector Thomson, with nine constables, were present, the constables acting as bearers. Mr Seldon, while passing through here oil Tuesday night, was urged to push on the construction of the courthouse. It was pointed out to him that the Government returns showed that the work of the local court was within a shade of being equal to that done at Ilawera, where not only a courthouse exists, but a clerk of the court is provided. Mr Seddon promised that the courthouse should be pushed on, and that a clerk should be appointed. ■ v - Mr Chew Chong sent away this week 152 boxes of butter from his Jubilee Factory at Eltham. Next week a similar shipment

will be made. * Messrs Hannah’s new premises, a rebuilding after the late fire, were opened this week. .. / - The new Wgsleyan Church is to be opened on, Sunday next by tho Rov W. Really of Sandon.