STRATFORD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1260, 23 April 1896, Page 19

STRATFORD.

Tho condition of the bridge over tho j Patea is such as to excite some anxiety. It is officially staled that some of the timbers are very much decayed, and will not stand the strain of the heavy traffic for which it is often required. Certain repairs may ho effected, but it will not be wise to spend much in repairs, as a new bridge larger and stronger than the present is urgently needed, and will have to be considered before long. The bridge is on j the main road, and is continually used for j a large amount of through traffic. At ‘ present its exceeding narrowness is a standing menace to passengers. No one is allowed to go over it at other than a walking pace, and cattle traffic is altogether stopped. The continuously wet weather we have had is once more accentuating tho need tor greater care and stricter supervision in the making of roads. Many roads that have not so very long been metalled aro all breaking up, either from the thinness of tho layer of metal or its poor quality. This seems to be a case in which experience does not teach, for year after year tho same fiascoes are repeated in new neighbourhoods. Tho story of tho Stanley road settlers who sent a deputation to the Manganui Road Board, sounds like a repetition of what happened some years ago on the Mountain road south of ,Stratford. Inferior metal lias been used, and yet the work lias been passed, so that there is no redress. The settlers considered that as limy had to pay contractor and engineer, the work ought to be properly looked after without their interference. Nevertheless, individuals did point out that better metal was obtainable, but apparently little or no notice was taken of them. The result is heavy rates to be paid for a road that "'ill not stand, and a prospect of another loan being required to metal the road all over again. One cannot but feel sorry for the Stanley road settlers and for others who will bo in the same plight. But why do they not take care to have stricter supervision? The settlers on tho I’embroke road have a similar difficulty to face, and declare that unless something is immediately done it will become necessary to raise another loan.

With all the innumerable loans for this and that the Town Library Committee are anxious to persuade the Town Board to borrow for the building of a library. They intend organising a concert shortly to raise funds. 'The Town Board has consented to subsidise to the extent of A 3, to enable a reading-room to be opened during tho ■winter.

At meeting of footballers it was resolved to open the season with a match between Toko and Stratford on the 25th April. As St. George’s Day and Shakespeare’s birthday fall this year on Thursday, the general half-holiday, it would be a good date for a celebration in merry English style. Tho small grove of trees which for years has been a feature of Stratford has been cleared away to make space for the new buildings of the National Bank. The Mangaere settlers have celebrated the opening of the school building, for which they have worked so hard, with tea-meeting, concert and dance. When it is considered that the site where tho school now stands was all covered with growing forest only six months ago, ami also how uifficult communication has been on account, of bad roads, it will be semi that the settlers have reason to rejoice at tho success of their efforts. They now want a teacher in order that the education of their children may no longer lie delayed. The Midiiirst Athletic Sports attracted a good gathering, and tins concert and 'lance after were very successful. Many of the settlers away back in the blocks on the far end of the East road are now paying their last visit to Stratford on shopping expeditions, for after this they will bo blocked in for the winter by muddy roads. Tim co-operative men on the Mast road have taken heart of grace and dispensed with much of their Timer grumbling.-:. Their rale of pay has increased. For earth, removal, wherein they received 3 1, they are now paid the living wage of lb!, none too much, considering the work, but all the difference between debt to the .-lorekeeper ami the means of honestly paying their way. Adjutant Rowlands and bis wife, of the Salvation Army, have left Stratford for the Empire City. During his 10 months’ residence here this popular Salvationist lias merited the goodwill of every member of the community. Tho Stratford County Council have their now offices nearly ready for occupation—a decided improvement upon their former cabin, where, cribbed and confined, they transacted their important business. A start has been made with the excavations necessary for tho imposing premises to bo built by the Bank of New South Wales, at the coiner of Fenton street and Broadway, opposite the Stratford Hotel. 'There is a brisk demand for building sections in Stratford, and properties are

1 changing hands daily at prices satisfactory to the seller. The Railway Department have started with some important drainage works at the railway station. When this is finished the removal of the station will be commenced. It is intended to make a double platform, so that two trams can enter the j station at one time. Tho station-house 1 itself will be shifted to a more convenient I position, and greater facilities granted to ! tho travelling public.