STRATFORD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1211, 17 May 1895, Page 20

STRATFORD.

The secoiid meeting of the Stratford Trotting Club, which was postponed to the 4th instant, was favoured with a fine, though rather cold day. The gathering was larger than might have been expected after the postponement. The course too, was in surprisingly good condition considering the recent rains and the previous day's racing. Over <£soo was put through the totxlisator. The -weather has been fine throughout the week until Friday night, when a thunderstorm came on, followed by very heavy rain. On the 9th the anniversary tea meeting and concert of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was held in the Town Hall. The Hail was crowded and a good tea was enjoyed from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m., when the addresses and items of the concert were given. The Rev. Mr Hutson was in the chair, and was supported by the Revs. English and Clements. Mr Bellhouse unfortunately was suffering from a severe cold and was unable to be present. The programme was a long one, and gave much pleasure, keeping the audience interested until close on eleven o'clock. The night was a most beautiful one, the moon shining so brilliantly as to make the roads as clear as day. This called out some bicyclists, whose whirling along the moonlit roads, apparently on nothing, had a most weird effect.

An accident took place at Mangatoki, when a horse ridden by a lady took fright at a waggon loaded with furniture, and swerved right in among the bullocks which also took flight. The lady, Mrs Preece, was bruised and wounded, as was also the horse. The saddle was cub to pieces. It was a marvel that the lady was not worse injured. At a special meeting of the Stratford County Council it v/as carried that the use of bullocks for drawing drays be prohibited from May to September on Toko and Ohura roads. The latter is getting in a bad way again, and there are now two large mud holes that are very dangerous to traffic, and will stop it altogether if not remedied soon.

It is time that a dentist settled in Stratford. The unfortunate sufferers who have to wait about for hours when the visiting dentists are attempting to get through a month’s work in one day, are truly objects of pity. And often a case, cannot be completely attended to in one sitting. Very many cases are not attended at all, because the sufferers are unable to get away to New Plymouth. A good resident dentist would surely do well as soon as he had gained the confidence of the district.

A Bible Class has been inaugurated at Ngaire under the auspices of the Rev Mr Hutson, the new Presbyterian minister, who recognises how important is the duty of a minister to make opportunities for teaching the young.