STRATFORD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1261, 30 April 1896, Page 18

STRATFORD.

The promoters of the Stratford library and reading room have been working in good earnest for the establishment of such a desirable institution. Having got the Town Board to promise practical help, they intend to ask a similar concession from the County Council. Mr 1 [.odder, bookseller, very generously offered the use of the room behind his shop for a reading room, but this was declined as was thought people would not use it so freely if they had to go through a shop. Mr 1 fodder was thanked for his kind offer, ft was decided to accept Mr Watkins offer to nil iertako the librarianship for the first three months. The reading-room is to lieopen from 10 a.m. to 5. p m., ami from 7 p.m. to !) p.m., from the Ist of May. A contribution box will lie placed in the room, and all who are willing to make presents of books to the library are requested to send them to tho librarian. A concert is to bo organised in aid of the library funds, for which arrangements will be shortly made. Church matters have been taken up by the members of the Church of England with a more spirited interest than has been evinced for some time. Holy Trinity Church is now so crowded that there is talk of either enlarging it or of erecting an entirely new building. If the latter is decided upon, the present building might be used for a Sunday school. At a meeting of parishioners on Tuesday tho Rev Mr Boycs pointed out that a building was required for meetings and other church purposes, and for a gymnasium for young men. There can be no dull'd that Lie church might confer an. immense been on society by giving more careful attention to tho welfare of the young after confirmation.

Choir practices are now started on Wednesday nights, under tho leadership of Mr Hughes, and promise to be very popular throughout the coming winter. A night school has been started by Mr Frederick Gush, which will lie a good opportunity for studious youths who want to work up for examinations. The south side of Broadway is fast filling up with now buildings and businesses. The Taranaki Sawmillers’ Association will start an office near tho Law Court for the carrying on of their business. On the opposite side tho new offices and County Council Chambers erected by Mr W. Malone are m arly finished. A neat shop has just been completed next to Mr Blows. 1 here was a talk some time ago of getting a postal pillar-hux set up in this quarter, which would undoubtedly be a great boon, send now that there is an official lettercarrier for tho town it could easily he cleared at convenient intervals. This would also lie a good quarter for a rising dentist to establish himself, there being no resident dentist, though seveial visit Stratford periodically. There was no greater celebration ot St. George’s Day than a cricket match between El 111 am and Stratford, only nine men playing on each side. The play was brisk and the visitors won hy three runs only. This is t he last match of the season. Duck shooting is now the chief amusement. Theducks not only do notappear to bo very numerous hutalso seem well able to take care of themselves. But, after all, wandering over hill and dale and along tho river side is good fun in itself. The affairs of Mr Oscar Manley, who died recently at Ngaire, arc being wound up by the Public ’I rustce, and all who have any claim upon tho estate should sond in notice at once. The Inspector, Mr Spencer, has boon going the round of the schools in this dis- [ trict. Mr Hill has been appointed tern-

porary teacher to the new Mangaero school.

Tho school children of this town, anxious to do something for the fatherless children at Brnnnerton, raised last weak the sum of .£-5 2s, which will ho duly forwarded. Messrs Allan and Leys, who some few months ago took over the management of the Egmont Settler, have returned it into the hands of its former proprietor, Mr T. E. Wilson.

The Salvation Army are about to build a substantial hall in Waitaia.

Mr Hill, late of the Cardiff School, will lie placed in charge of tho now school recently erected at Mangaero, an outpost settlement of civilization some 30 miles along the East road—Stratford to Auckland.

A requisition was get up a few days ago asking Sir Robert Stout to deliver a political address in Stratford, but up to date no final answer has been received.

The snap of cold weather is curtailing severely tho supplies of milk at tho local factories.

A black opossum was seen near I nglewood a few days since. The Acclimatisation Society liberated several of (hose animals some six months ago on the Kaitoko ranges.

The Rev Mr Boyos, the new vicar of the Stratford Anglican Church, is infusing new life among tho dead bones of orthodox churchgoers. His vestry have put their foot down on pew rents, and are striking out boldly for increased subscriptions. A church enlargement fund lias been started, and it is intended to build a social hall, to bo used as a schoolroom, and if possible erect a gymnasium for the benefit of tho muscular Christians of tho district.