STRATFORD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1204, 29 March 1895, Page 14

STRATFORD.

Bishop Cowie passed through here on his way to liiglewood, where he preached to a large congregation on Sunday. He did not stop at Stratford, 3omewhat to the disappointment of many members of the English Church who were desirous of interviewing him. The recent valuations in the Stratford County have aroused widespread indignation. The Council not supplying objection forms caused a good deal of surprise, and both the local papers printed forms of objection to be copied in writing. But the time allowed appears to have been short, and in some cases the notices of valuation were not received until after the time for sending in objections had expired. Petitions have been taken round, and a number of objectors are intending to go to Court. . The Mostyn-Dalziel Company made a two nights' stay at Stratford, on their way from New Plymouth to Hawera. The first night they gave " Ransom," an Australian drama, and ou the second night "Cast A.drift," a drama of London life. On both occasions they were favoured with full houses and hearty encores. The audiences seemed to be thoroughly absorbed and delighted. Some chagrin was felt at the substitution of comic songs for the beautiful ballads which were promised in the programme, but Miss Mostyn made apology for the change on the grouud that some of the Company were not in good -voice. Miss Mostyn has a voice uf beautiful quality, and one feels that a comic song is not good enough for her. After a long spell of fine weather the sky became overcast on Wednesday, and on Thursday the rain came on. About 700 children left the Inglewood districts on Friday morning on a school excursion to New Plymouth. The weather here was bitterly cold, with heavy continual rain.

A dreadful accident happened to a little child at the Beaconstieid sawmill, near Midhirst. The child seems to have clambered unobserved right on to the .-•* table" which travels up and down to receive and convey the logs for sawing. As the "table" returned for a fresh log the child's leg was caught and horribly mangled. A gentleman in Midhirst rendered temporary assistance, and both the doctors were sent for from Stratford. Eventually the poor chiH was sent on by train to New Plymouth Hospital. The chief drapers here have just returned from business visits to Welling-* ton, bringing back abundant stores of autumn and winter goods, of which they are now making a goodly display. Stratford, March 19. Another spell of hot weather set in on Saturday. On Sunday at noon the thermometer registered 120 degrees in the sun. St. Patrick's Day (Monday) was not observed here as a holiday, except by the banks. A large number of residents, tempted by the fine weather, made a successful ascent of Mount Egmont. A settler on the Pembroke road imported some time ago some seeds of a new radish, " Chinese Invincible/' > They evidently grow well in this district, for specimens brought into town weigh from three to seven pounds each. Notwithstanding this great size the radishes are tender' and crisp. It appears from official records that close upon 1100 passengers were conveyed to New Plymouth by the school excursion train on Friday last. The cost of the proposed Salvation Barracks at Stratford will be aboub ,£360. A pretty wedding took place at Eltham on Saturday, when the youngest daughter of Mrs B. Riley was married to Mr G. W. Symons, of Otakeho. ■ The bride's parents were well-known as former residents of the Horokiwi Valley, near Wellington. Stratford, March 22.

The Mostyn-Dalziel Dramatic Company played to two crowded houses in Stratford. Mr F. McGruire went to Auckland on Tuesday night en route for England via San Francisco. Mr Donald Mackay, who was drowned the other day at Napier, was brother to Mr J. Mackay, manager of the local branch of the New Zealand Clothing factory. It is understood that Mr Ralph, draper, of Wellington, has secured two of the handsome shops just, erected by Curtis Bros., on the site of the late fire. A shocking accident occurred on Thursday morning at the sawmill on the Beconsfield road. A little boy aged 3, son of Mr Cooper, was riding on the travelling saw bench, and somehow got one of his legs caught in some machinery, which tore the leg away to the knee. Dr Nicholls was sent for, and ordered the boy to the New Plymouth Hospital. The weather is cold and showery. Stratford, March 26.

The Hon W. P. Reeves is expected to arrive here on Thursday morning. He will be driven to inspect the co-operative works at Ngaire. On his return to Stratford he will be entertained at a semi-public banquet by some of the principal residents, including bankers, justices of the peace and representative men. In the evening he will deliver a political address in the Town Hall. . The Bishop of Wellington is expected % hold a confirmation service in Stratford in November next. Reynolds and Co., the owners of a butter factory at Inglewood, have given notice that the price of milk will be reduced l& per gallon. The suppliers at a public meeting objected to the reduction^ Ovi ing to the wet weather on Friday last, the Eltham races were postponed until to-day.