STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 February 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

Our Own Correspondent.) TAR-SEALI-Xti ROADS. Stratford, Feb. 14, The decision of the borough eouueil to proceed with the tar-sealing ol three rondo is a, step in the right direction, and one that will command the approbation of ratepayers. Councillors were all ugrced that the present Bysteni is too costly, and in these days of heavy traffic and greater speed the ordinary metal road requires better treatment. Iu the past councils have been content to tolerate the same system prevailing in the early stages of Stratford's history, whilst neighboring councils have gone ahead and possess lasting and moie satisfactory roads than those of Stratford with the cost of upkeep considerably less. When the present council went into yl'.ice many believed that some fairy wand would be at their back and that we should liave Broadway well lighted and with a concrete ,or tar-sealed surface traflic, but with ten months in office matters are much the same, although it must be admitted the Mayor and his colleagues have made a start. A loan of £15,0011 has been sanctioned, and arrangements for securing this sum are under way by the town clerk, but the council has yet to decide whether it will be concrete or tar-sealing that shall go on Broadway. Concrete is in something of the experimental stage in the Dominion, but experts state that this is the ideal road, and probably when the council reviews the question again it will be found thnt this method will l>e preferred. Anything is better than the present system, and if the Mnvor can manage to have the main roads com(.leted during his term of office lie will have something to show for his stewardship. Oeltins back to the tar-senlin« the deputy-Mayor (Cr J. Masters) savs that all the roads could be tar-sealed i with the year, „ if tar is available. Poor Stratford! It seems to have suffered throughout by the adoption of a cautions rather than a bold policy. Instead of going in some time after Eltham demonstrated the success of tarsealing it delayed decision. Mor.ev could 1 e had cheaper then, as well a.« tar. Now ! the former is becoming much more diflis'lH to obtain, and the latter has gone ur> considerably per gallon, whilst labor •niist make the cost considerably heavier than it would have been ten yesrs hack. Still, the council has at last decided to get oh" the mark, and if it only keeps goinsr there ;« reason to believe "that ratepayers will have roads j n a li ne with the eountv council. Eltham and Ilawera before February, 1919. GENERAL. Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., holds his fortnightly session here to-morrow afternoon, and from the appearance of the charge sheet, will have a lengthy sitting. The Model Dairy Farm Committee is expecting a big attendance of farmers and others at the farm to-morrow. The locality is only a short distance from Broadway, and 1.30 p.m. is the time set j down to, receive visitors. I The Stratford public arc agreed that : the finding guilty of the incendiarist Clark on the charge in connection with the Broadway outbreak, was the only decision possible with the evidence produced, and now those who take an interest in court proceedings are waiting to see what the sentence is to b>. Miss C. Christie, a lecturer of some renown on theosophy, is at present in our midst, and holds her first meeting this evening. According to the interest taken in her address will be the duration of her stay here. The members of the deputation which recently went to Wellington on educational matters have returned from their visit to the Minister of Education. Speaking to the Mayor (Mr. McMillan), that gentleman informed "Your Own" that it received a sympathetic hearing from Mr. Hanan, and everything appeared to be working smoothly in connection with the school proposals. The Acclimatisation Society's commit- , tee meeting was presided over by Mr. i A. W. Budge. It was decided to liberate | the balance of trout in the Patea river, | below Skinner road to Toko. The fish were reported to be in splendid condition. The shooting season opens on May 1, closing on July 31. Application is t'o be made to the Department of Internal Affairs for permission to shoot Californian quail, pheasants, ducks, pukaki and pigeons. The vexed question of poaching was reviewed, and it was left to the president and secretary to confer with the society's solicitor regarding two alleged eases, and with power to act. The use of torches when eeling is to be prohibited. The Wellington Society notified that stubble quail were beneficial, in that they ate quantities of insects and' did no harm to crops. The Auckland Society stated that it could obtain no quail from Australia, and was awaiting replies from China. The York road farmers and others spent a very pleasant evening in the schoolhouse this week, when a social was tendered Privates T. Portroz and J. Newtroski, back from the front. Mr. King made the welcome-home address, and intimated tliat the soldiers mentioned would receive illuminated addresses of

welcome in due course. Excellent, music for the dance wns provided by Miss Anderson, and extras by Mrs. Walsh and Mr. Dombroski. The returned soldier, J, Devlin, popularly known as "Liverpool Jack," who was run down by a motor-car on Sunday motuing. continue to show iinprov-vaient in his condition at the hospital. T. LAMASON'S WEEKLY REPORT. Last Saturday jny usual weekly sale was held, when a iair entry of poultry was catalogued. Prices were as follow: Hens Is fid to 2s 3d, ducks is to 2s fid, geese 3s (id to 4s, roosters (.small) Is 3d to Is (id, potatoes Ss lid per cwt., rhubarb 4tl to (id bundles, apples 2s to 4s b'd case, tomatoes 2s to os, plums 3s to 7s, peaches 4s to Cs Cd, pears 3s to 4s 6d, grapes Is 6d per lb. The above quotations are all subject to size of case and quality. T. Lamason's weekly sale is advertised for Saturday, when he will be having a quantity of choice Nelson Auckland, and Hawke's Bay fruit for sale. One cow and a heifer will also be sold in his yard at the bulk store. "Ucan" haireutter is a unique little instrument now going on the market, for which C. E. James is the agent for the Stratford district. The "Ucan" is a combination of razor and comb, whereby one can reduce the growth on the head to any shortness. One can have the short military crop or have luxuriant I tresses like an Israelite; it makes no I difference. There is no danger of cutting, and mother can cut sonny's hair whilst she brushes it. The price is 15s post free, and is good value to those with families in frequent need of hairdressing. C. E. James will be pleased to give all information.—Advt.