STRATFORD DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1927, Page 8

STRATFORD DISTRICT NEWS

Telephone Nos. 552 Office 718 Private

(FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTERS;

Taleptwnc Nos. 552 Office ; 718 Private i

SATISFACTORY SEASON. INCREASE IN DAIRY PRODUCTION. FIGURES OF STRATFORD COMPANY The steady increase in production which has been a feature of the operations of the Stratford Co-operative Dairy Company since its inception, is being maintained in a satisfactory manner. . Except for the recent dry weather, this spring has been mild and conducive to high butter-fat returns. The majority of tho herds in the district eastward of Stratford, from which the company draws its supply, were wintered well and came into profit sleek and well nourished, while a growing recognition of the value of top-dressing provided succulent spring feed. Under the circumstances, an increase was expected in tho supply- of butter-fat, but the results have exceeded all expectations. From tho time the factories opened on June 1 to the end of October, 61X1,480 lbs of fat were separated, while, for the same period in 1926, the total was 546,404, an increase for the present season of 60,0741bs fat, or 11 per cent. During October 308,7081bs fat were received, as against 254,3501bs in October, 1926, an increase of 24,3581bs fat, or 8/t per cent, in 31 days’ supply. The most noteworthy increase, however, is shown by a comparison of the October supply of 1927 with that of two years ago, when only 241,7621bs iat were produced. The increase in two years was thus 6G,9461bs fat, or 27 per cent. Apart from the provision of more fodder by the adoption of better farming methods and the greater attention now paid to the welfare of stock during the winter, the increase in production and the higher quality of the milk supplied may be attributed to the lower prices of farm requisites. Farmers have been able to purchase high grade fertilisers at comparatively low prices, and the amount of slag and other manures applied was more than in previous years. The work of the dairy instructor has also had an appreciable effect on the production of better quality- milk. Muddy yards and races have been replaced by clean concrete surfaces, reducing the dust of tho hot weather and the appalling conditions of early spring and autumn. Many new sheds are being erected in tho district on modern hygienic principles and on carefully selected sites where plenty of sunlight may enter and adequate drainage is provided. BOWLING TEAMS FOR TO-MORROW. The following players will represent Stratford against Eltham on the Stratford green to-morrow: Sanderson, Butcher, Rowell, Hulbert (s); Porritt, McElroy, Smart, Frogley (s); Walters, C. Martin, Boyd, McDonald (s); Hunt, Lindop, Liddell, Lyons (s). The following have been selected to play Eltham colts on the Stratford green: Stanley, Hampson, Bake, Bat-

tersby (s); MacManin, Rogers, Sominerfield, Dixon (s). Stratford, in a friendly match against Avon at tho. .Avon green, will be represented by: Woodhead, A. S. Martin, Howatt, Allen (s); Wilson, Johnson, Thompson, Peters (s); Clarke, Ewing, Hillock, Leach (si; Fastier, Sayers, Dunbar. Carryer (s). Tho following players will represent Avon again Tariki. at Tariki: F. Weston, Pickles. F. Jackson, Dickenson, J. Weston, Cropton, McDonald. J. Masters.

The following will represent Avon against Stratford on tho Avon green: Lonsdale, Butchart, North, Betts (s); R. IT. White, Hoskin, A. E. White. E. Jackson (s) ; Woods, Hill, Walker, Hardy-Jones (s); Rudkin, Ball, Fletcher, Stewart (s). KING'S THEATRE. Tho last screening of tiio Universal film de France “Michael Strogoff” takes place at the King’s Theatre to-night. Never before has there been such supremo entertainment, so stupendous in conception, so overwhelmingly brilliant in execution, so marvellously magnificent in production, as to present what is beyond doubt the most spectacular sensation of tho season. Michael Strogoff, whose adventures have thrilled millions, will surely thrill you to-night if you see them pereonified by Ivan Moskine, Europe’s idol of the screen. The special “Michael Strogoff” musical score will bo sympathetically rendered by the King's all-soloist orchestra. Intending patrons are well ad- ' vised to take the precautions of booking their seats as the box plan is filling rapidly. PERSONAL ITEMS. Mr. T. M. Ellis, of the National Bank Stratford, left for Hawera by the mail train yesterday morning, to take over the managership of the Hawera branch of the bank. The position of accountant, which he left at Stratford, will be filled by Mr. A. O. Hugo, of Omara. Mr. Ernest Aagaard, of Pembroke Road, is at present visiting Dunedin, and expects to be away about a month. GENERAL ITEMS. The entries for stock classes of tho Stratford A. and P. Show are stated to be fully up to expectations. Exhibitors should note that no entries for stock classes will be received after 9 o’clock to-night. On Sunday the son of a Stratford citizen had two fingers of his left hand badly lacerated through the explosion of a live cartridge with which he was playing. It is understood the cartridge was found on the rifle range, and given to the boy. In his play lie struck the end of the ease sufficiently hard to explode the cartridge. In this connection Warrant Officer J. L. O. Rowe states that he always preserves the strictest precautions on the range. Before all

shooting parades an order is read that no trainee may bring live ammunition on to the range or take any away. Immediately after practice all the live ammunition and empty shells are collected, N.C.O’s. being detailed for this purpose. A dependable sergeant or corporal is always selected to issue the ammunition. Before leaving the range everybody is required to assist in picking up scraps of paper or waste material, and is especially instructed to look for cartridges. In addition to these general precautions, last Saturday a corporal was detailed to make a special search in crevices and other spots where ammunition might roll. Beyond searching the person of every trainee the warrant officer says that no more stringent precautions could be taken at territorial firing practices than are in force at present, lie is unable, however, to account for the ammunition used by another corps, members of which have been using the range frequently.

TE WERA. Tho annual shearers’ ball, held in the Te Wera ball on November 19, was. without doubt, the most successful and enoyable dance of tho season. The hall, which .was most artistically decorated with greenery, and coloured streamers, was a credit to the committee, while Boulton’s professional jazz orchestra was all that could be desired. Extras were played by Misses G. Boyle, E. Crudis and V. Manning, while Messrs. J. Eriwata and D. McAloon ably carried out the duties of M’s.C. Miss N. Meredith and partner were the winners of the lucky epot waltz. Visitors were present from all parts of the district. Among those present were Mrs. Barwick, who wore pink tafl'etta, Mrs. Boyle, mauve crepe de chine; Mrs. Lane, green georgette; Misses O'Neil, pink georgette relieved with gold lace; Coyne, blue Marocain; McGuise (Wanganui), vieux rose beaded frock; G. Boyle, green crepe de chine; Vinsen (Stratford), white cliineile over green satin; FI. Moon (New Plymouth), cerise beaded frock, with a Spanish shawl; O'Neil (Inglewood), mauve crepe de chine: Boyle, flame velvet; Crudis, red silk; Guppy, green satin; Kemp, lace frock; Coyne, pink georgette; Hansell, pink satin; Meredith, red taffetta; Manning, pink satin.

PERSONAL ITEMS. Miss O'Neil lias returned to Inglewood. Miss G. Vinsen (Stratford) and Miss A. Moon (New Plymouth), who have been the guests of Mrs. B. Boyle, “Makahu Station,” have returned to their homes. Miss Q. Kemp is spending a few days with her parents, Mr. and Airs. I). Kemp. Miss McGnise (Wanganui) is at present spending a holiday with her sister, Mrs. B. Boyle.