STRATFORD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1263, 14 May 1896, Page 17

STRATFORD.

The continual riin wo have had day after day during the past week has been a sad damper on everything whether work fir play. Moro coats having been drenched than could possibly be got dry in time, queer processions of children might bo seen on their way to school covered with sacks, the corners of which stood in peaks high above their heads, presenting a most comical appearance. The usual exodus from this district to the Hawera Races was modified | by the disagreeable weather, (especially 1 on Thursday, the second day. Nevertheless iL is said that, over £-1110 was put ! through the totalisator. ! A numberof gentlemen have determined ! on starting a bowling club at Stratford. ; They are already some thirty in number, \ and a strong club is lively to be formed. 1 Mr Greig wag appointed secretary. Committees were appointed to canvass for ! members, receive subscriptions, and to ! find a suitable s'tc for a bowling green. ■ If they could arrange to unroll an uwniug

over the players in wet weather something after the manner the ancient Romans used to do at their gladiatorial assemblies, no doubt the bowling green would be very popular. The census returns are very satisfactory for Stratford, showing that it has quadrupled its population in less than five years. The country also has doubled its population in that time, and numerous small towns h vo sprung into existence. !.!! übwut six weeks' time the Crown Linda "Department intend to put up ab<mt 1800 acres of first and second class land'partly in Stratford tor sale. The Brunnei Relief Fund Committee have acknowledged the receipt from Stratford of the sum <f £SO 9i 8.1 being tit's first instalment of collections made here.

We shall soon have the candidates for the Egmont seat making their addresses. The present member intends to come forward again, and will shortly address his constituents.

The Fire Brigade will hold their annual plain and fancy dress ball on the 21st inst. ■ This is always a popular function.

A ?! range burglary was perpetrated at E'uham on Wednesday night, when the railway .station office was broken open by dynamite, and UR J M stolen. In spite of the noise, caused by the explosh n and damige done, the thieves got oil' with their booty, and nothing was known of the. burg! uy until 7 the next morning, when I'm- station mister, Mr. London, discovered the cash box on the platform. Mr and Mrs Meredith had a narrow escape of a seiious accident on Sunday. They were driving out from Toko, when they were thrown out on to the road. They were much shaken and bruised, but fortunately no worse,