STRATFORD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1196, 1 February 1895, Page 18

STRATFORD.

The annual meeting of parishioners was held after Sunday evening service, it being found that a larger attendance is so secured. It seems to be still uncertain whether Stratford is to be joined to the Wellington or the Hawke's Bay diocese. Local preference seems greatest for tho latter. The Rev Mr English was chairman, and after a few preliminary remarks called upon Mr Whyte, secretary and treasurer, to read the minutes of the last annual meeting, which wece confirmed. The report and ba ance sheet were then read. The churchwardens drew attention in their report to the lamentable falling off in the church’s finances/ notwithstanding the large increase in the population, and tho considerable number of families belonging to tho Church of England. Tho vestry recorded their thanks to Miss Bobin (organist), Mr R. 11. Whyte (secrotary and treasurer), the lay readers (Messrs James, Brown and Eookes), for tluir services during the year, aud thoir regret at the retirement of Miss Bobin from the position of organist to the church. The two churchwardens resigned office, as did also several of the vestry. Thereupon tho chairman appointed Mr Kimbell clergyman’s warden, and Mr Pritchard was appointed people’s warden. Tho clergyman’s s iper.d (L 180) has never been paid in full, and the Rev A. English advocated reducing it to Ll5O, but strange to say this was objected to. Surely it would be far better to promise only Ll5O and pay it regularly, than to promise LIBO and fall deeper into arrears every year. The Manganui farmers have bo n regaling themselves at the first annual dinner of the club. Some good Speeches were made, the chairman, Mr Joseph Mackay, M.A , especially distinguishing himself Mr A. Brown sounded a noto of warning to the farmers that they could not go on continuously sending away tons of butter and cheese from their farms without fatally impoverishing the land, unless they returned bonedusb and other manures to renew tho fertility of the soil. They all agreed upon tho advantage of having a club, w'here the farmers could discuss together all matters of importance to them.

The magnificent weather we have had lately has greatly favoured the harvesting of such hay and grass seed as wan not spoiled by the rains at the commencement of the month. Bush tires are now burning in all direction*, veiling the brilliance of the suu by wide-spread smoke.

The S.M. has approved of the hours from 10 to 12 daily for the office hours of the Clerk of the Court, so that in future Mr Donovan will be in attendance at the office between those hours, unless called away on other business as constable.

The Primitive) Methodists have been exchanging their ministers freely, and although their friends will miss them it is a good thing for the congregation generally to hear different preacher/*. Mr G. Clement comes to Stratford from Feilding, Mr Hayward goes from Stratford to Eltham, Mr W. C. Wood from Eltham to Westport, and our old friend Mr Clover, who worked here so successfu'ly for four years, goes to Waimate in South Canterbury. There will be joy in the hearts of the settlers beyond Toko. Tenders are to bo immediately called f“r metalling the Ohura road (East road), Toko to Douglas road to close on the Bch February. There are to be two contracts. Ic is to be hoped these will supply work to some of the young men who are going about asking if thero is any work to be had.

The young man Mr C. E Gooding, who recently had to go to Wellington on account of an injury to one of his iyes, has just sustained another painful accident by which the ear on the opposite side has been severely injured, and it is feared it may have a bad effect on the sight of the other eye. An attempt is being made to get up a rifle club in Stratford. It would be an excellent thing if the young men will take the matter up with enthusiasm and good management. Two lawn tennis clubs are being formed by the ladies, both having very good tennis lawns at command. Stratford, January 29.

The big cheese to be shortly made at the Stratford factory is for exhibition at the coming agricultural show at Hawera. It is made to a special order, and will weigh scwt. The cheese will contain current coins of the realm to the value of £5, from a sovereign down to a three-penny piece, and is to be cut up in retail quantities. During some necessary repairs at the Stratford State School, some of the children will bo domiciled in the Masonic Hall. Mr Berry Cass, for some time past manager of the branch drapery store of Mr Ralph, Cuba street, Wellington, is about to leave this district. His position, will bo

taken by Mr Thompson, late a storekeeper in FeUding-. Master William Hutcheson, son of Mr R. R. Hutcheson, tobbaconist, Stratford, has carried oil a Class B scholarship in the recent examinations at New Plymouth, with the highest number of marks. This will entitle him to the sum of <£2s a year and free tuition at the New Plymouth High School for two years. Mr Hutchison, stationer, of Stratford, is selling off, previous to leaving the district.

The weather is oppressively hot, with dense smoke in all directions, from bush fires.