STRATFORD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1250, 13 February 1896, Page 20

STRATFORD.

On the first, day of the month the whole country was befogged by the smoke of ruauy tires All this was well washed out of the air by the heavy rains which fell on Sunday and Monday, and nicely tided up all the waning tanks and wells. The ltev. Mr Boycs and family arrived in Stratford early in the week, and took up their abode at the vicarage, which has been entirely renovated, and a new chimney erected. It has been resolved to hold a “social" in the Town Hall on Thursday week to welcome the new clergyman and his lady. A fairly large sum was collected for the Anglican Church funds by the concert last week.

Mr,l. Hewer was united in marriage on the sth inst. to Miss Smith, both well known in Stratford. There was a great deal of the usual tin-kef (ling in the evening. The bride followed the pretty French custom of appearing in pub ic (at the athletic spoits) in bridal costume of pure white.

The Athletic Club’s annual snorts on Thursday the Gth iast. attracted one of the largest gatherings ever known in Stratford, ladies appearing to take cpiite as much interest in the proceedings as the men, and children being noticeably numerous. There were visitors from most of the towns between New Plymouth and Hawera. All the arrangements appeared to give satisfaction with one exception—there was no band to cheer the multitude with pleasant music, and so the intervals between the events seemed too long. All over the grounds there was a general expression of regret that the committee of sports and the band had not beeu able to come to terms. Some Highlanders in full costume looked very picturesque, and did much with their bagpipes and dances to interest the public. An irresistibly fascinating centre of attraction for the children was the merry-go-round, which Mr Hen wood had brought from Inglewood. On these wonderful horses the happy children rode, or stood around in crowds to watch them through* I out the day. It should be mentioned that the Stratford School was grunted a holiday for this occasion. The contests were numerous and vaiied, and for all except the bagpipe music there many competitors. There were only two teams of ten each for the tug-of-war, Stratford and Tariki, the former team winning both trials. There were walking, running, hurdle and bicycle races, wrest hug, putting the shot, Highland dancing, sailor’s hornpipe (in costume), and bagpipe music. in tun 1i i g :c,;i er! was hold, follow H m.-e : In- the punl'O, and helped to till the cuff Ta of ill-' i .’lab. The Stratford cricketers played a match ith Jlu.vem last Mi'iml.ty arid lo t. A lain! accident o'ourred on Tuesday, when I. Algie, an old settler in the district, fell ell Ids horse and was killed. At the inquest it transpired that deceased was not quite sober. He owned MS acres freehold on the Standish roa.l, and also leasehold property. lie leaves a widow an i three children. lie was about fifty-!.ve years of age. lie had resided in this district about twelve \ cars. The funeral took place in Stmt ford on the 7th insl. There is to l>e. a sab; of sections in Stratford on the 18th inst., which will be a good opportunity for those who wish to acquire a home of their o.vn. There are 1380 sections for sale at prices ranging up to £4O. Tne extraordinary vacancy in the County j Council caused bv the resignation of Mr J Me’uafEy has been tided by the return of Mr i 11. 8. 1J irschberg, unopposed.

Trie formal opening oi the new Courthouse .vas the occasion of great satisfaction to all concerned, expressed by mutual congratulations.