STRATEFORD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1205, 5 April 1895, Page 16

STRATEFORD.

T.he settlers wb6'“Tad" objectjiops to, the alleged held'a public.’ ippetipg to discuss the matter, apd consider whether or not they should retain the services of a solicitor. They agreed that if they could get the names of forty guarantors they would do so ;]butonly about thirty were present to sign. On the 29th the Assessment Court opened to hear objections. The first objector stated that his section was very broken and by creeks. He brought- % p«ighbodr to witness to the'valuator'replied’that tfe settler bad''buflt “a" good house, and, (herefPre 1 must be rated £.2 an, per? than would’otherwise be case. It seem a rather thpt iceman who, strain a every perie' to’ build a comfortable house for his family to live in must be taxed for that, and perhaps another with a great deal more money, but not such decent ideas, will have less taxes to pay. It is not encouraging to settlers to build superior dwellings. The visit of the Hon. My Reeves has been regarded with mpnh interest. Hp Was received by a number of influential men, and presented with an address of welcome, to, which p'e replied briefly but cordially. Ho visited the school, and after a short address to about 800 children, Mr. Reeves said as he wished them all to remember his visit he would ask for a holiday for them, whereupon they, of course, gave him hearty cheers. He then drove with his party to Eltham, where he lunched, inspected the co-operative works at the Ngaire swamp, and made an inspection of the Athensem Hall, where he wasinterviewed by some of the residents concerning the interests of Eltham, and promised to carefully consider their requests. Mr Reeves and party then *etvirnsa to Stratford, where a

(banquet was given in bis honour, after which he made his post sessional address in the Town Hall to a large audience. At the land sale of Stratford town sections held in New Plymouth 39 sections were sold. Most of the purchasers were Stratford residents, who would have found it far more convenient had the sale been held in Stratford. Some sections were secured for the English Church, The business people of Eltham held a meeting last Monday in the Town Hall to consider the necessity of asking racing and sports committees to arrange their fixtures to come off on Thursdays, the recognised half holiday, as it is very detrimental to business to be continually changing the day of closing. The Eltham Races, which were fixed for last Friday, were postponed on account of the inclement weather, and came off on Tuesday. The day-, though lowering, remained fine, and there was a fairly large assemblage. Stratford, March 29. About 600 children and adults from Waitara passed through Stratford on Wednesday en route for Hawera. To-day (Friday) some 1400 from New Plymouth also went to Hawera. At a public meeting some 30 of the local settlers agreed to secure the services of Mr Bartin, solicitor, of Hawera, to defend them against the alleged over valuation of their properties at the local Assessment , Court held to-day. -

Mr Crowtber "and Mr. Lang, M.H.R’s., have left Stratford for Auckland overland by the proposed railway roqte, A coach cap now be taken for 40 miles from Stratford along the Hast road, and horses oan be taken some 10 or 15 miles further.