STRATFORD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1315, 13 May 1897, Page 17

STRATFORD.

The concert got up by Mr Rapley in aid of the sufferers by the floods in Hawke’s Bay was crowded to excess. After all the benches were filled, chairs were brought in until every available corner was full, and a large number of the audience were obliged to remain standing. - The cha ; r man of the Stratford County Council, Mr Joseph Mackayj J.F. * of Midhirsb; was in the chair, supported by the member for Egnaout* Mr Walter Symesi Mrßurgets the chairman of the Town Board had promised td be present but was detained by sickness in his family. Both Mr Symes and Mr Mackay made short speeches recommending the object of the •uncert, and thanking the numerous audience for their attendance by which they showed how keen was their sympathy with the sufferers by the floods. A long programme was then gone through, many of the items, being vociferously encored. Miss Edna Hooper a little debutante of about six years, sang “ We’d better bide a wee ” with much feeling, and when the words “ I canna leave the old folks now " caused a general laugh all over the house she looked surprised and seemed to wonder what made them laugh. In response to a hearty encore the clever little mite gave, the first verse of “The Man that broke the Bank at Monte Carlo” with irresistibly comic effect. After the concert a dance took place which was well ~ patronised. A chess club has been formed with Mr Curtis as President and Mr Biernacki as vice-president. There are quite a number of ardent chess players in (Stratford. A concert in aid of forming a gymnasium fur the young men of Stratford was given on Thursday. The attendance was not very great, as there have been quite a number of concerts lately running each other pretty close. The concert was very goon indeed. More than twenty names wi re enrolled as members of the future Club, and several donations wore forwarded. This is sure to prove a very acceptable institution ns there-hre numbers of young men in and around Stratford who will be glad to avail themselves of it. A Progressive Cinderella Dance eventuated on Friday and gave a most enjoy-

able evening to all present. The H wera Races on the sth and G h attracted many,, as usual, from this district. The Kap'-nga Races were also said to have been very good spor^. Two weddings on the same day in Stratford—-caused quite a stir. Mr 11. Worthington was united to Miss McKenzie in iho Holy Trinity Church by the Jlev. N.- 'Boyes. The wedding party looked a very happy one and after the ceremony rice was thrown iu showers after the; newly wedded pair. They travelled by the afternoon train to New Plymouth en route for Auckland. In the afternoon a grand Salvation Army wedding, with street, procession, silver collection and a musical melange in the evening with another silver collection. The-lfidncation Board has called tenders for. the re-erection of the school shelter shed; recently demolished by the storm. This one is to have a floor half the cost of which is to bo. defrayed by 4fe committee; The headmaster has received a case of chemicals and. apparatus for giving the children practical lessons in science. . b; Mr S. H James hvs returned from his trip to England, afte* six months absence Hebyas met at the station by many welcoming friends. A painful accident happened at Whangarnoinona, about, fifteen miles from Pohokura. An explosion 'of powder caused ■i serious injury to the heads and faces of two of a. party -of hlen working on the roadJ It is feared that one of the men will lose thA sight of one; eye at least. They- we rebrought out immediately, and tak«h to New Plymouth Hospital. Great J pifkwe is -due* to their fellow workman who aissisted'in bringing-them out. ’ /Mr A., Marsh, Egmonb road, was engaged .threshing oats by machine when he got His right hand caught and dread fully mangled in the machine. Mr Marsh went to New Plymouth Hospital where the hand was amputated.