STRATFORD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1194, 18 January 1895, Page 14

STRATFORD.

The new constable, Mr O’Donovan, has just been appointed one of the inspectors of weights and measures. Notwithstanding the out-cry about the heavy work of the Stratford station, it seems they still keep piling it on. Either this should not be, or too much has been said about the overwork of the Stratford constable. It is rather curious in that connection that no one seems to have enquired whether the late constable did not himself apply for the various places he filled, the duties and emoluments of which might have been gladly accepted by others. The question has been asked, “What killed Patrick Leahy ?” and answered by the querist, “ overwork,” without apparently making the least inquiry into the antecedent state of health, causes of worry and private distress of mind, though probably neither he nor his family were free from the ills that flesh is heir to, and it is well known that he was greatly distressed by the news of the sudden death of two of his sisters. He found time to manage a farm on the East road, besides attending to his duties. Fancy a constable in England owning a

farm and finding time to manage it 1 It seems the public have good reason to object to this bestowing of many places on the constable. They are put to considerable inconvenience when they have moneys to pay or other business to transact with the Clerk of the Court for instance, and naturally as he is the constable he is hero, there and everywhere, and cannot be found at the time they want him. Why not give this place of Clerk of the Court to a man whose business keeps him in the town ?

Constable O'Donovan ha 3 won kudos by his arrest of a Maori who has been wanted for twelve months past on a charge of cattle stealing. The man was arrested some miles beyond Toko, where doubtless he considered himself out of harm’s way. The Presbyterians have purchased a section at the corner of Fenton and Juliet streets, where they intend to erect a new church, the old one being too small for their increasing congregation. Mr McGaery is about to build on hi 3 two-acre section on the Mountain road, corner of Pembroke road, a first rate substantial house, which will be a great improvement to that part of the town. Various improvements have been made to the grand-stand on the racecourse, which make it very much moi o convenient for all interested. Everyone is hoping for fine weather on the 17th instant, the day of the race meeting," . The rainy weather we are having is most unseasonable and unwelcome. We want sunshine to ripen the fruit on the trees, and to enable the farmer to get in his hay, much of which is now damaged beyond saving. Five ladies successfully passed the examination in “ First aid to the injured," and the examining doctor stated they were well up in the work. It was a pity that a larger number did not present themselves for examination.

Stratford, January 15,

Rain, rain, day after day, since New Year until Monday (yesterday!, when the weather gave us a hailstorm for a few moments by" way of a variety. The atmosphere then became damp, warm and decidedly unpleasant for muscular movement.

The chief talk at present is of a horsey nature, in view of the local races on Thursday. The recent rains have much improved the course. Special trains are laid on, and visitors are expected from every township between New Plymouth and Wanganui, providing, of course, that the weather remains fine. The town is full of racehorses, and stableroom is at a premium. The noihinations are 228, as against 211 last year. r Si -; Horse beans grow well in this district, judging from a sample of those grown by Mr Matthews, of Eltham. The stalks are fully eight feet in length, and well podded. , . The additions to the Eltham Cheese Factory are now complete, and the new vats will provide such accommodation as will allow of the night shift being done away with. The much-wanted telephone extension to Cardiff is in a fair way to be an accomplished fact, and it is expected that very shortly a start will be made with the connections.

Stratford now boasts of having three photographers in the town. Another hairdresser and tobacconist has recently opened new premises. There are outward and visible signs that the 6 p.m. closing daily of the shops will break down, as more than one small storekeeper threatens to keep open. At a special meeting of the Anglican Church on Sunday night it was announced that during the past year the offertories and pew rents were <£27 12s 2d less than in the previous year, and that the clergyman’s stipend was .£6O Is 2d in arrears. An agitation is now going' on in the Toko district to get a dairy factory started for the Gordon and Waiwiri roads.

The Rev L. M. Isitt, the apostle of Prohibition, is announced to visit Stratford shortly.

As an indication that a Courthouse is badly wanted at Stratford, as well as more frequent attendance of the S.M., I may record that at the last sitting of the Court on Friday last six lawyers were engaged in the Court, and some of the cases have been now adjourned for three times. Complaints are made that there is no Registrar of Births and Deaths in Eltham, thus necessitating a journey to Stratford.