STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 January 1926, Page 12

STRATFORD NEWS.

NEW YEAR’S EVE. MANY SIIOI’S IN DARKNESS. BUSINESS BY CANOLE-LIGIII’. From Uur Own Reporter. Stratford, Jan- 1. New Year’s Eve in Stratfor I v i.i cer l.ainiy not misy in 1P25 as has lien the ease in previous years, an-i io this end several events conspired. Dunng the day the weather wa.> tine; yet tkeve were not such large crowds in town ai had been anticipated. In the evening there were certainly more people about, but business was hrirly siavk, and was rendered more so by the bad weatliei which enveloped die town al about 7 : p.m. ! To add to the unsatisfactory statu ! of afiairs, premises connected with the ‘ Tariki electric scheme, comprising easily ' one half of the business places of the I town, were plunged into darkness at ■ about 7.4-5 p.m., and the matter was not | : righted until considerably later than ; closing time. Business was conducted in the. shops! affected with the aid of lamps and | candles, but the whole town presented j a cheerless appearance, little conducive . to good business. During the evening members of the ‘ Stratford jMunicipal Baud braved the elements and played selections in different parts of Broadway, but they were forced to conclude early in the evening owing to the heavy rain. As a consequence of the unfavourable conditions business men report that on the whole trade was appreciably affect ed, except in the case of necessities. The crowds dispersed early, and by 9 p.m. the streets were beginning “ t»empty. In conversation with a Daily News reporter, Mr Jardine, of the Taranaki Electric Power Board, explained that the reason of the failure of the Tariki power last night was that the system had been disorgunised by lightning. He was also of opinion that there might possibly be a troublesome line in theii area which hud not as yet been located Power was again available at II p.m.. but. only for a short time, and it wa* early this morning 'before it was available porina non tl v.

CONTROL OF MOTOR-CARS. A PROBLEM IN BROADWAY. During the List month Hie disregard on the part of motorists to observe the by-laws in turning their curs in Broadway has very nearly caused accidents. Only yesterday motorists who wore turning lheir cars from the kerb narrowly missed colliding with other cars proceeding along Broadway by reason of their omission to give the usual sign and to take notice if other cars are approaching. The general opinion is tkaf; the safest- way of combating this danger is by compelling motorists to proceed ’ io the end of’ the street and turn round the silent policeman, instead of turning in Broadway itself. On Wednesday a lad of about If years of age had a narrow escape from being seriously injured. He was crossing Broadway when he noticed a motorcar approaching. He immediately stopped. giving the motorist the impression that ho was waiting until the car passed, and then he continued across the road with the result that the .car sruck him, knocking him to the ground. By- i slanders who witnessed the incident state that the car passed over him without harming him, and the lad then jumped up and hastened a way, evidently none the worse for the experiA WONDER.T-’LIL ItECOL'D. STRATI:ORD MATKRNITY ANNEXE. During the year 1925 165 babies were born in the Stratford maternity annexe, and at times the aeeommodation was heavily taxed. «Since the opening, two ywirx ago. there have been 290 births, and there has Ibeeu no maternal death. This splendid record is proof of the very capable management of the annexe, ami without exception patients who have been admitted to this department speak highly of the careful ami considerate attention. HOLIDAY ON RUAPEHU. FE»MININE MOT’N’IAINEERS. A party of young ladies from Stratford left by the express this morning en route for Waimarino. Their intention is to spend a week’s holiday at the Whakapapa huts on Ruapehu. The party consists of the Missea Henry (2), E. Kirby, and Leitch (2). They will be joined at Waimarino by friends from Auckland, GEERAL ITEMS. Swimming is regaining the interest of the public of Stratford, and during the present spell of fine weather increasing numbers are patronising the baths. The .caretaker, Mr C. Rowsou, has been busily engaged in carrying out improvements, and the present state of the baths is a distinct cnedit, being in a better all-round condition than for years. The flower-beds which Mr Rowsou ha» planted greatly improve what were previously untidy corners. There !s yet a good, deal of concreting, especially in the case of fontpaths, which Mr Rowson intends to do. and when completed this will considerably add to the convenience of patrons. The caretakers of the Stratford fountain house (’Messrs Rowe and ffranks) report that visitors to the house are still arriving in great numbers. Yesterday tl tree car loads of tourists from Australia arrived at the house, and expressed. themselves as

agreeably surprised by the conveniences ol tlie houses and the satisfactory state of the track. Arrangements have now been made for Fct-k’s Orchestra from ■Stratford to be present every Sunday. The Borough Council workmen yesterday completed tarring the courtyard and tennis court at the primary school. At the executive, meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society held at Stratford, it was decided to hold the annual Burns dinner on January 27. Mr W. L. Kennedy was last night elected chief of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society, vice Mr P. Aitken, who The Rev. L. Uarvie, Vicar of St. Andrew’s, Epsom, and formerly on the stall of the Church of the Holy Trinity. Stratford, is visiting Stratlord, and is the guest of Mr and Mrs E. C. Middleton. Mr Harvie will preach in the Parish Church on Sunday evening. What is probably a record for fecundity was established on the farm of Mr .Hugh Glen, at Tariki, this weeks, when a sow of no particular breed gave birth to a litter of 20 young pigs. What is still more remarkable is that there is not “a weed” in the litter, each young pig being healthy, vigorous, and welldeveloped. The sow is not particularly long in the body, and was bought cheaply at the Stratford Haymarket sale three years ago. Her first litter comprised 8, her second 10. ami her third 20. THE KING’S THEATRE. “LIGHT OF WESTERN STARS.” As a special race night attraction the management of the King’s Theatre advertise, on page one the filming to-night (Saturday), at 8 o’clock, of Zane Grey’s greatest western romance, “The Light of Western Stars.” This is said to be the fastest moving Zane Grey story ever filmed, and is crowded with thrilling moments. The big picture is supported by other films with a wide appeal ,and an additional attraction is provision for special music. A matinee will also be held in the afternoon. The box. plan is at the theatre office.