CENTRAL TARANAKI NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1932, Page 6

CENTRAL TARANAKI NEWS

“OPENING OF PLATEAU ROAD”

MOCK CEREMONY HELD. PROCESSION AND FIREWORKS. Last night was one which will live long in the memories of Stratford children. While father and mother enjoyed i.hp.TTi selves at the banquet sister and brother were having the time of their young lives. Brother had borrowed one of father’s old hats, a pair of father’s gardening trousers, tied up with string so that they looked like plus fours, and an old coat, whose ownership was doubtful. A well applied piece of burnt cork, and the juvenile was equipped. The “brother” was one of many who formed the torch-light procession through Broadway last night. Dressed in anything and everything, the children assembled at Broadway North, an when all was ready commenced their triumphant torchlight march through the main street, accompanied by members and their mounts of the Stratford Motor Sports’ Club. At the post office a serious ceremony was performed. Owing to the inability of some to attend the opening of the new plateau road, the Motor Sports Club, with feelings of true citizenship, decided to re-enact the ceremony for the benefit of those unfortunate people. The “honourable Minister” approached the “field of battle.” He approached it with calm mien, and as much dignity as a shaky goat cart drawn by a motor cycle would allow. Despite his rather “oscillatory” means ot conveyance, his ministerial calm was undisturbed.

At last the great moment had arrived. The ribbon was stretched across the' road. The honourable Minister approached it. All held their breath. From within his chariot he extracted the “golden scissors” (known to the vulgar as a saw) and with deliberation worthy of the momentous occasion, severed the ribbon.

The crowd’s cheer was choked in their ■throats, and re-born as a gasp of amazement. Was it another De Groot incident?

However, it was all part of the fun, and after the laugh was over the procession headed for the bonfire site in Regan Street. Torches were quickly applied to the bonfire . and rockets set off. Fireworks of every known variety exploded, flared and fizzed. The youngsters made the most of their time, and made up for a wet Guy Fawkes Day. There was a large attendance and the fireworks display provided a first class entertainment.

DEATH OF MRS. MONTGOMERIE.

LONG' RESIDENCE AT STRATFORD.

The death occurred on Sunday at her daughter’s residence, Cardiff, of Mrs. Montgomerie after a short illness. Mrs. Montgomerie was born at Mauchlin, Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1840. She was maiTied in 1-866 to Mr. J. Montgomerie, who predeceased her 35 years ago. In 1879 with her husband and family Mrs. Montgomerie emigrated to New Zealand, and arrived at Dunedin in October of that year. After a brief stay in the South Island they came to New Plymouth and thence to Inglewood, and finally, within twelve months of their leaving Scotland, they took up residence on their farm at Monmouth Road, Stratford. Shortly after her husband’s death Mrs. Montgomerie removed to her Victoria Road farm. After selling that farm she took up residence with her daughter, Mrs. Dymond, Cardiff, with whom she has lived for the last 22 years. Mrs. Montgomerie was of a cheerful disposition and had the use of all her faculties up to the time of her death. She was held in high esteem by all who knew her.

Of a family of eight children six are still living, Kobert, John (both of South Africa) and William (Te Arolia), Mrs. Fraser (Victoria Road, Stratford), Mrs. J. W. Hayward (Christchurch) and Mrs. Dymond (Cardiff). Two sons,' Archie and James, died in Africa a number of years ago. ’

ELTHAM TALKIES. AN INTERESTING DRAMA. "The Secret Six,” a sensational drama of American city politics and the underworld, is the attraction which will head the programme at Eltham to-night, with Wallace Beery, Lewis Stone, John Mack Brown, Jean Harlow, Marjorie Rombeau and John Miljan heading one of the biggest casts assembled in years. The picture unfolds an astounding tale based on actualities of modern American city life. Information in actual happenings in a dozen American cities was woven into the story; one will see in it occurrences reported in the cables daily. Dramatic highlights include the night attack of the vigilantes on the gangster stronghold, the gangster funeral, the murder trial, the desperate running battle of gunmen, the “putting on the spot” of Beery, the murder of Lewis Stone, and the grim denouement in the condemned cells. The mysterious meetings of “the secret six,” the third-de-gree methods, raids on the stills of bootjeggers and the “muscling-in of gangsters on rival territories are other practices that the film vividly exposes. The supporting programme includes an exceptionally good Laurel-Hardy comedy.