STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1925, Page 9

STRATFORD NEWS.

COUNTY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN. MR. E. WALTER RE-ELECTED. (From Our Own Reporter.) Stratford, June 20. The adjourned annual meeting of the Stratford. County Council was held at noon to-day, when Mr. E. Walter was unanimously re-elected chairman for the ensuing twelve months. The chairman expressed thanks to the council for their whole-hearted support and excellent team work. During the past year the council had had a busy time, for, in addition to ordinary maintenance and routine work, they had managed to metal over seven miles of mud road and to do formation work, fie thought the ratepayers had had good service, not only from the councillors, but from the whole staff. One of the big things they had done was to lay off the horses and go in for motor lorries, which step he described as a .great success. Lorries, especially the lighter type, were much more suitable for county work, and the engineer did not now experience so much difficulty in getting men to and from a job. He was of the opinion that the council should dispense with another horse and purchase an additional lorry of from 2 j to 3 ton weight, so that weaker roads would not suffer from heavy traffic from county lorries. He thanked the council and the staff for their loyalty and work during the year, (but said the council would be very considerate to him if they would not nominate him for the position of chairman again. On the clerk (Mr. C. Penn) taking the chair, Mr. T. R. Anderson at once moved that Mr. Walter be re-elected. He paid a high tribute to Mr. Walter’s energy and ability and stated that if Mr. Walter found it inconvenient to attend to the affairs of the county during the coming few’ months with the close application he had at all times given in the past, he w r as sure the council would try to take some of the more arduous work from his shoulders. „ Or. W. H. Were seconded, and complimentary reference to Mr. Walter’s w’ork was made by all the councillors. On resuming the chair Mr. Walter suitably acknowledged, the expressions of esteem made by the council.

A WINTER SHOW. CONFERENCE TO BE CALLED. The question of the inauguration of a winter show for Stratford was advanced another stage last night, when a deputation from the Progress League, consisting of Messrs. J. McKee and L. Bellringer, waited on the executive com- ' mittee of the A. and P. Association in relation to the matter. Mr. McKee said the time was opportune for such a function to be introduced, and spoke of the excellent geographical position of Stratford, which could not fail to progress. He further pointed out that when the Hamilton Winter Show was started the population of the town was only 200. and the subscription to the show only ss. A winter show would do much to bring Stratford before the eyes of the rest of the country. He thought the Borough Council should be approached with a view to obtaining some leasehold land, because he felt sure that were the land secured the money would come, and he was sure the business people would back up the society. He did not think the establishment of a winter show here would affect the Hawera or New Plymouth shows; on the contrary, it would be to their advantage. After the delegation had withdrawn the chairman said that sooner or later the matter would have to be faced, but whether the time was opportune or not at present he was not in a position to say. It would, he thought, be of the greatest advantage to the town, but before anything could be done the whole town would have to be behind them. Mr. J. C. Rolbins said that the question was too serious to be considered in five minutes. The difficulty was that of accommodation and the raising of sufficient money for a big scheme. Hawera and Waikato had had to work for many years before they reached their present position. For many years he thought, the association could not benefit financially, but the show would be an undoubted benefit to the town The Poultry Clulb had been formed, and that was the thin end of the wedge The first show that club had held was the largest in Taranaki, but the attend ance was so small that it made on< wonder whether the public appreciate! it. He suggested that before going ii for a big scheme the society shouk discuss the matter with the Poultry Club and Progress League, with a viev to making a start in a small way. Un less the business people put money ii the association could not touch it. Mr. H. A. Hunt thouglit the Progres League, A. and P. Association and Poul try Club Should confer with a view t< calling a public meeting.

Mr. Hewitt: Unless £2OOO in cash can he obtained the venture is impossible.

It was decided that a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Boon, Robins and Hewitt, confer with the Progress League and Poultry Club with a view to calling a public meeting.

A. AND P. SOCIETY. The executive committee of the A. and P. Association met last night, Mr. J. W. Boon presiding over a full attendance. It was decided that the annual show be held on November 25 and 26. The question of joining the Royal Agricultural Society was deferred in the meantime, it 'being understood that the New Plymouth and Hawera Societies had adopted a similar attitude. Messrs. J. W. Boon and D. M. Clarke were appointed a subcommittee to deal with the matter of enlarging and improving the kiosk. Sub-committees were appointed to deal with the revision of all sections of the schedule. A report on the carnival showed that

a loss of £25 had been incurred. It was decided to hold a social at an early date to extinguish the debt.

GENERAL ITEMS. While motoring in the Wellington district yesterday, Mr. H. H. G. Bennett, of Kohuratahi, had the misfortune to run his car over a bank. The car, which suffered extensive damage, was insured with the Phoenix Company. No one was seriously injured. An excellent programme has been arranged for the annual concert under the auspices of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society, which is ibeing held in the Stratford Town Hall on Wednesday next. The artists engaged include Miss Aileen Noble, mezzo contralto, Wellington; Miss Eileen Kinibell, soprano, Wellington; Mrs. Twaddle, elocutionist, Mr. W. Waters, bass, Palmerston North; Mr. Fred Baird, tenor, Mr. Simpson, elocutionist. Accompaniments will be played by Mrs. J. H. Thompson. Seats may be booked at Grublbs. Mr. R. P. Davison, representative of Paramount Pictures, is at present in Stratford in connection with “The Ten Commandments,” which opens at the King’s Theatre to-night (Monday). “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.” KING’S THEATRE TO-NIGHT. “The Ten Commandments,” Paramount’s great picture, long heralded in Stratford, will have its initial screening, tonight (Monday) at the King’s Theatre. The bookings have been exceptionally heavy to date and there is every indication that the reception to be accorded this picture in Taranaki, will be akin to that which it has received elsewhere. It is claimed that not in the history of moving pictures has such a magnificent effort of screen production been presented to the world. Wherever the picture has been shown it has received the unstinted praise of the critics and public alike. It will be remembered that recently the picture played for a ten week’s season in Auckland, for four weeks in Christchurch, and has just completed a two weeks’ showing in Palmerston North. “The Ten Commandments” will ba screened for a three nights’ season in Stratford, and intending patrons are advsied to book their seats in order to avoid disappointment. There will be matinees on Tuesday and Wednesday for the country people and school children respectively. The box plan is now open at Humphreys, Stratford.