STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 February 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent) »r ( «" , ct^ lmunic * tions ' !ctt ««. «'«, itft with Mi- H J. Hopkins, iiooksdler, will >«ce»* prompt attention.) POPULARISING MT. EGMONT, Stratford, Feb. 4. There was a very representative attendance at the meeting called by the Mountain House Committee to discus 3 matters in connection with promoting the interests of the house. The Mayor (Mr J. W. McMillan), who presided, said the meeting had been called to elect a committee to forward the interests of the house, and to appoint a ne\V secretary, as Mr. Thomson, owing to pressure of business, was unable to continue. The financial position must be improved or the committee would be unable to carry on. A suggestion had been made that a memorial to our fallen soldiers might be set up in the shape of an up-to-date hoi'se and an improvedroad from Stratford. Mr. J. Masters, chairman of the House Committee, said that with Messrs R. ■McK. Morison, P. Thomson, and C. Jackson he had endeavored to carry on, but was hampered by lack of funds, and a strong and live committee was wanted. At present every penny was taken in road repairs, and there was little to warrant a good man going to the house, as he could not earn much. They had no caretaker. A suitable road, costing prob- ■! ably £2OOO, was required, as at present they could not expect to get to the house without a car being bogged. The c road should be metalled, and it was up the people of the district to do something, and with the Government subsidy they would shortly he in a position to have a creditable house. Mr. Thomson pointed out that their funds consisted of £3O from the National Park Board, a grant of £lO for work done above the house, and onethird of the revenue from visitors, the caretaker receiving the balance. Unless some improvement was effected he understood the board would consider discontinuing the annual grant There was also a grant from the Borough Council. After discussion it was resolved that the meeting agree to energetically carry on the Stratford mountain house, and the following committee was elected: Messrs J. B. Richards, J, Masters, H. E. Lawrence, E. S. Rutherford, A. Patrick, E. H. Young and Master C. McAllister. THE PROPOSED MEMORIAL, It was decided: "That this meeting of Stratford citizens recommends for the consideration of the Mountain House Committee the proposal to erect a new and substantial Stratford mountain house on Mount Egmont, on a site to be chosen, and th« formation and completion of a properly metalled entrance drive to the same from Pembroke Road, as a memorial to the soldiers from Stratford town and district who have fallen in the great war." PROPOSED HIGH SCHOOL. At the School Committee meeting last night the sub-committee (Messrs Boon and Lawn) reported re the establishment of a technical high school on the 14-acro section adjoining the model dairy farm. The chairman of the board had visited Wellington, and as a result £7500 had been granted, and the plans were to be put in hand at once. He thought the work would cost over' £9OOO. It would not be possible for the building to be ready by next year. The need for a hostel was ou, but it was not an opportune time to approach the Department. Steps should be taken to institute a private hostel, as board for pupils was difficult to obtain in Stratford. GENERAL Evidence of the days when Stratford was carved out of the bush—not such very distant days either—was unearthed to-day, when the workmen who were engaged ,u levelling Broadway for the new tar macadam came across an old rimu stump, which was still in a good state of preservation, and gave them some trouble to remove. A crowd of Stratford people will wend their way to New Plymouth to-morrow' and Thursday, and the "town will be practically deserted, as nearly every one has business at the seaside to see Desert Go: and Gloaming. Local hotels are now bousing a large number of visitors who will > continue their journey to-morrow, instead of putting up with the discomforts due to the crowded state of New Plymouth. A number of returned soldiers who arrived last night were given a great reception at the station, which was crowded. There was a great response to the call by the Mayor for cheers. Nothing very definite has been ar ranged in connection with the proposed school exxcursion to the beach early in March. It was stated that the stationmaster had informed the committee that there was a possibility of making arrangements if the committee joined with the friendly societies. It waa suggested that the picnic might be held no a Friday. Messrs. Paikty and McDonald were appointed a sub-committee to report at a special meeting in a fortnight. The District Ugh School re-opened after the Christens vacation this morning with a roll.jjjf 824, 736 being present. In the secondary department tnere is a roll number of over 200, as compared with 170 last year. There are several changes in the staff, and pending permanent appointments, Gordon Sanders (Ngaere) and Albert Anderson are temporarily acting. The latter is a former pupil of the school who gained several scholarships, and is at present home on' vacation from the university, It is probable a commercial course will be i added to the agriculture, as there are a I number of pupils offering for such a I class.

A local farmer advertised in the Daily News for a farm assistant, and the same day received seven replies. Mr. J C. Allen, the new manager of the Stratford branch of the National Bank, arrived this morning to take up his duties. Mr. Allen was formerly manager of the Paparoa branch ' Attention is called to the furniture sah to be held by T. I. Lamason, Stratfud, on account of Mr. Bickerton, at his residence, Broadway South, Stratford, on ■r-irlay next, 7th instant The list comprises some high-class furniture, and can be recommended by the autioneer.

Attention please! Although the holiday seßEon is advanced there is yet ample time to secure that gift or present. Don't go out of Ctratford for the article. Call and see C. E. James' stock His shelves, floors and cases are crowded with ladies' handbags, jewellery, Doulton ware, elec-tro-plate, tickle and antimony articles fit to grace any home Prepare for the evening by purchasing your parlor games here. Do you smoke I If so, remember you can purchase the best tobaccos, pipes, : etc., at C E. James, the mas, for honest tjralue every article*.