STRATFORD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8644, 3 December 1889, Page 2

STRATFORD.

(from our own correspondent.)

November, 30. — The annual entertainment in aid of the school prize fund comes off on Friday next. An attractive programme has been arranged, the children taking a leading part, and I shall, no doubt, have to chronicle a crowded house. The lire at the Toko Block was not quite so serious as reported, but if the present drought continues we must be prepared to hear of disasters equalling that of 1886. The country is full of dead standing bush, which would iie swept clean if it got a good start. Messrs Bell Bros., of the Hastings Road, had a quantity of grass destroyed on Friday. While on the subject of fires, might I venture to*call the attention of the Cemetery and Domain Board to the fact that log fences have been built up to the paling fence of the cemetery. Extensive alterations and improvements are being made to Mr King's saloyards. Would the provision of tar brands be too startling an innovation ? I hear there is a prospect of another hotel or boarding house being erected shortly, an item of news which should bring joy to the hearts of our local anti-monopolists. How is it, by the bye that a tuilnr hah uot as yet discerned the ! glorious future that awaits him in Stratford He would Imy c free grabs for hib goose and the maro barbed wire fences the cotter ■ lor tr»4e. A &n« crop o$ wool too ft

awaiting the advent of the bold adventurer who first shall plant that emblem of civilization, the barber's pole. The first shearing, siiy on a sale day, should fetch enough either scoured or in the grease to payfor the complote plant, scissors, brushes, combs, razors, small talk and all. There is a sweet little rata stump in possession of a considerable portion of the ■itc of the proposed — ahem — Episcopalian — Church. An eviction having been resolved upon, volunteers were culled for on a certain date a fortnight a*o, 'nit did not roll up to any extent. The upshot was that the attacking party, strong in the consciousness of a good cause, but weak in numbers, had to retire, leaving the enemy still in possession. Now, what I have to say is this, that Wednesday next lias been appointed for another assault, and if sufficient strength is not forthcoming to j put the job through, the Building Committee intend leaving the stump where it is, and building the church round it. It will occupy about half of the south aisle, and will be utilised us an organ chamber. It will serve to inspire posterity with a desire to emulate the heroic deeds of its ancestors, and in the odd nooks and corners of its gnarled interior may repose tho mops and scrubbing brushes of many generations of caretakers. People's minds here are greatly exercised about a certain cattle transaction— or I might say series of transactions — which, to use the very mildest expression, must be characterised as queerish. In fact, if half one hears is true, the police authorities will be much to blame if they do not take steps to sift the matter to the bottom.