STRATFORD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7957, 30 August 1887, Page 3

STRATFORD.

[FBOM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Augpst29. — Electors certainly cannot complain of having to make a hurried choice of a representative at the approaching election. I see there is still a month in which to consider the merits of the candidates. The danger seems to be that we shall have forgotten what those particular merits are, and, after all, have to entrust the decision to the rotatory elevation of an impartial halfpenny, which, being translated, signifies-— " toss up for it." Mr. J. Elliot, however, does not seen inclined to leave matters to chance. I hear he was down at Ngaire the other day, and got together a rather strong committee to look after his interests. As to the result of the poll, it is stated on the best authority — that of the candidates themselves — that the Colonel is safe to be returned. As thus — Mr. Maichant and bin friends say that it lies between Marchant and Trimble, the others have no chance. Mr. Elliot Bays Kelly and Marchant are quite out of it, but it will be a near thing between him self and the Colonel. Mr. Kelly's friends assure ub that one of tho oid hands will head the poll, Marchant and Elliot are only wasting their time. So, if these opinions are worth anything, the Colonel should have at least a two to one chance, whilst the others might be safely laid fives or perhaps sixes to one. But don't suppose I'm making a book on the v event. The choice of a representative in' the present crisis is far too serious a matter to bet upon. I should not dream of doing inch a thing, unless I knew for certain who was going to win. I see Mr. Marchant writes to the Hawera Star suggesting a scheme for getting the Mountain Boad remetalled ia the Ngaire district. It sounds feasible enough, but here is a better one : Put up another candidate for Taranaki (there are none too many), a thick "and thin supporter of the present Government, then get Mr. Ballance op tare on some pretext or other, put him in a buggy and drive him from Ngaire to Strutford (of course I don't mean him to be put in the shafts, though that might be tried as a last resort). Throw in a few words about Main Trunk rDad — disgrace to the colony — district too poor to undertake the work — eminently a case for Government help, &c, &c. If after this the paltry £500 or £600 was not forthcoming, then I should like to know what good there is in party government. The arrangements are almost complete for the school entertainment on Friday next. A perfect galaxy of talent is engaged for tbe concert; the members of the two dramatic clnbs will be^sure to do their level best; tbe moon will be at the full and the weather will be — as it may. Last but not least, the object is one with which all can sympathise. I have been shown the' Inspector's last report on the Stratford School. It is one of which the committee, teachers, and children may alike be proud. The method of instruction is stated to be earnest, practical, and thoughtful ; the discipline and tone of the school very good, and the state of the buildings, fences, appliances, &c, satisfactory. Mr. Newton King is enlarging his sale yards hare, which have on several occasions proved too small. There is a very large entry for Thursday next, and a probability for still larger musters later in the spring. 1 hear Messrs. Jackßon, Lightband and Co. will Bhortly open a boot and shoe shop here. The earthwork at the Waingongoro bridge is at last finished, and the Boad Board will probably lose no time in getting the metal on and fencing tbe approaches. The Village Settlement experiment near Opanake has missed fire, as might have been expected. Such a settlement woald do very well indeed within easy reach of a large city, and might succeed on the railway line here, but to plant people without capital where there is little or no work to be had ; on land that cannot afford them a bare living for the first three or four years ip absurd. don't tbe authorities give their attention more to supplying a demand that actually exists ? People are coming here from the South Island and elsewhere, looking for land in sections of 100 to 150 acres, and going away disappointed. There is hardly a section of Grown land in the market in Stratford district, whilst within a few miles to the eastward are thousands of acres of the best land in Taranaki lying idle.