STRATFORD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1265, 28 May 1896, Page 17

STRATFORD.

Among the deputations which waited upon Mr Ward at Stratford was an influential one from the East Road district with reference to the important point of having more of the road inland metalled. Mr Brower, J.P., explained that the settlers along the road were willing to rate themselves for a loan of £SOOO, provided the Government would give aisistanco. 'l'ho settlers want some 20 or 25 miles metalled at a cost of about £6OO per mile. Mr Ward said that a fair amount would he spent by tiie Government during tbo present year, and ho would lay before Mr McKenzie the urgency of the work.

In reply to another deputation, Mr Ward gave some hopes of being able to lay on telephonic communication with .Strathmore,

j Some smart work is done at times in j SI rat ford. On Wednesday at 2.15 pm. j .ffe.v-r.s Hannah’s mail igor rep irfed to the polio; that a pair of tan hoots had been stolen from the shop door. At ,’i pan. Coins table O’Donovan had the thief before Messrs MU is and Reid, two local Justices, who fined the man 2Us, and ordered him to make restitution by paying for the hoots. The line was paid, and the man discharged, all within the record space of 25 minute.'. This will take lot of beating. Mr and Mrs C. S. Curtis, of Stratford, are about to take a six months’ cruising trip among tiie South Sea Islands. 'They have had a yacht built, and will leave shortly for their holidays. Jt is pleasing to note that the public are responding very liberally to tho call for books from the Public Library just opened. Several quite handsome donations have alredy been acknowledged, and others aro promised. Several English weeklies and illustrated papers in particular are sure to ho highly appreciated. Professor White, the phrenological expert, has been touring the district giving lectures on phrenology, physiognomy and various other subjects, and has succeeded in attracting very fair audiences, though the number of “socials,” concerts and lectures coming thick and fast is likely to diminish the attendance at each. Tho Fire Brigade plain and fancy dress ball, however, was a great success,

being exceedingly well attended, as everyone thinks it a duty to help on the Firo Brigade as much as possible.

The death is announced of Mr W. S’. Campbell, which took place at his brother’s residence, Commercial Hotel, Stratford, oil Sunday last. On Tuesday his remains were interred in tho Stratford Cometery. The Patea bridge has been undergoing some very necessary repairs, which, however, are not likely to obviate the necessity of a new bridge. The existing bridge is certainly not equal to present requirements.

Of the several bankruptcies that have taken place lately, none has drawn forth so much sympathy for the bankrupt as that of Mr Irvine, carpenter, who has been many years in the district, and has been much respected as a settlor and chairman of the School Committee. His difficulties were not brought on by extravagance, but appear to have been partly caused by taking contracts at prices too low to bo remunerative.

The Court was sitting all day on Wednesday on tho cattle-stealing case. C. E. Moyenborg, tho accused, was sent for trial, bail being allowed. C. E. Moyenborg was adjudged a bankrupt iu the Unworn Court, a meet ing of his creditors to take pjaco at Stratford on tho 27th inst.

At the trial of a number of school attendance cases several parents were mulcted in lines and costs to the amount of 9s each for not sending notice of illness to the headmaster.

The County Council also held a meeting on Wednesday, alien after much discussion it was decided to transfer the Council’s banking account to the Bank of New Zealand, the main argument being that it was now the national hank, and it was tho duty of everyone to assist in making it as strong as they could. Mr Duthie, M.H.R., from Wellington, gave an address on political and financial matters in tho Town Ball on AVodnosday night to a large audience, including a considerable number of ladies. Air Duthie spoke for about two hours, and was heard with great at tention, and very slight interruption. But his address consisted of attacks that have already been refuted — vague accusations and personalities. Tho Opposition pays Stratford but a poor compliment in sending there a speaker whose uncultivated pronunciation is quite painful to listen to. When wo hear that “ a fool inquerry ” ought to bo made wo wonder for a moment what it means. When it came to the vote of thanks and confidence it seemed hard to decide which party was most numerous in the hall, but three hearty cheers for Mr Seddon wore given as tho meeting broke up.

Mr McGuire has commenced his electioneering campaign, having announced nightly speeches at all the villages and embryo towns around. Mr Walter Symos has announced his intention of becoming a candidate, but has issued no programme yet.

Mr Hutcheson, tobacconist, is selling out his stock, and Air D. Wilson, tailor, is also about to leave the district. Tho partnership is dissolved between Alessrs Don and Rowe, and tho livery stables will bo carried on in future by Air Don alone. A Shakespearian Club is being formed for the enjoyment of tho works of tho immortal hard, to which wo wish all success. They commence with tho “ Merchant of Venice.”