STRATFORD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1291, 26 November 1896, Page 17

STRATFORD.

The West Biding has elected Messrs Dingle and Eal*** to sit on the County Council, and the East Riding has elected Messrs Symes and Hine. There is still another member to be elected for the North Riding, and Messrs Brown, Cuthbert and Hathaway, are offering themselves as candidates. The extraordinary election takes place on the 25th inst.

The handsome villa residence of Mr Cole, consisting of eight rooms and a conservatory was burned to the ground early on Sunday morning. Mrs Cole was away and Mr Cole has no idea what caused the fire to break out. The occupants had barely time to escape with their lives, so that nothing was saved, and as the insurances on house and furniture were small Mr Cole's loss will be considerable. The Fire Brigade was sent for, but was mainly of use in preventing the spread of the fire to the next residence. It is stated that they were much handicapped by the scarcity of water. This seems strange with the river running right through the town and the abundant rainfall we are always having. The fact is that the tanks or water cisterns are almost alwaj's far too small, and quite inadequate to supply water in any case of fire or long continued dry season. In a country like this where the houses are so highly inflammable it behoves every householder to see that his house is provided with a sufficiently large water supply. A large number of friends assembled at a smoke concert to bid farewell to Mr S. H. James, who i 3 going with his daughter to England ; and to wish them bon voyage et bon rctour. A handsome gold-mounted pipe was presented to Mr James as a token of esteem, and everyone present had something eulogistic to say of his qualities as a business man and as a friend. The evening was varied with songs and speeches, and concluded with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne." Mr R. Crabb gave a lecture in favour of Prohibition in the Town Hall on Tuesday. He had a crowded audience. He repeated all the well-known arguments, and asked them to vote for the candidate who would vote for Prohibition.

The Prohibitionists are sending to every householder a printed booklet in favour of their views. It states that there is nothing in Prohibition to prevent people from making wine ior themselves so that, where a man now takes only a glass occasionally, he would get into the habit of taking it every day, when manufactured in his own home. A Prohibition lecture is to bo delivered at Ngaire on the 23rd, when Messrs Berry and Dowle will be tho speakers. It is much to be regretted that anyone should so far forget fair play and courtesy as to throw eggs at any lecturer, whatever opinions he may advocate. This uupleas antness was experienced by Mr Crabb after his Prohibition lecture at Stratford, i and the youth who threw the egg had to pay 17s Pine and costs. The Shakespearian Society gave a very interesting recital and dance in the Town Ulall on the l'Jch, to which they invited a arga number m ; friend ?, (-omeoJ whom came from New Piy nou' i, [nglevvo vl, NTgaire, Elthaui, Kupouya, Manaia and II .twora, The stage was handsomely adorned with vases of flowers, a carpet extended up ! the centre of the hall, and the novel arrangement of the seats gave a more recherche appearance to the hall, besides being more convenient for the guests. An overture was given by Messrs Malone and i Cork on the pianoforte, after which tho i chairman, Mr E. Burgess, gave the following address :—" Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been requested by the society whose guests we are this evening, to make a few remarks before the curtain rises. These gentlemen have for some seven months been meeting for the purpose of reading, marking, learning the incomparable works of the great bard and considered they might now offer an evening's entertainment to their friends. The society is as vet young, but the object of this evening's gathering is to extend its influence, 10 increase its membership and possibly to induce some of the ladies to join, it being difficult, agJWtt® a y imagine, for a mere higher mental states which^foPSfetheher,oica|of Shakspeare's plays. When we coMjJpr the name of our town and its will be reoog-

nised that there is a peculiar fitness in the existence of such a society in our midst, with which few words I will make rooms for the first item on the programme, th& Trial Scene from " The Merchant of Venice." All the members did exceedingly well'.All were letter-perfect, and delivered their lines with admirable clearness and feeling. , The parts were taken as follows :—The \ Duke, Mr Murray; Antonio, Mr T, Kennedy; The Duke's Clerk, Mr Poison; Shylock, Captain Holdcroft ; Bassanio r Mr J. W. "Warren ; Gratiano, Mr FBrooking ; Salanio, Mr Eichard Thomas ; Nerissa, Master McLennan ; Portia, Mr' Hood. This item was followed by a song from Mr Liardet " The Boys of the Old Brigade." Othello's address to the Senate, Mr Murray. Song, " The Tar's Return," Mr Buckridge, of Eltham. The dialogue between Hubert and Arthur from "King John" —Hubert, Mr Hood ; Arthur, Master McLennan. Song, " Those Chiming Bells," Mr Liardet. Dialogue from "Julius Caesar"—Cassius, Mr Murray; Brutus, Mr Kennedy. Songs, " The Midshipmite," Captain Holdcroft; " Vanity," Mr Buckridge ; "-The White Squall," and "When Other Lips," Mr N. Smith. Katherine's speech on a wife's duty, frona " The Taming of the Shrew," Mr T. Kennedy. Mr Fookes asked that the audience would testify their appreciation of the entertainment given by the society, which was done by very hearty applause. Refreshments were handed round, after which a most enjoyable dauce filled up the rest of the evening. Everyone hoped that the intellectual treat given by the Shakespearian Society to Stratford will be repeated at no distant date. Their praiseworthy efforts are deserving of the heartiest support. •