STRATFORD NEWS

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 10480, 4 December 1895, Page 2

STRATFORD NEWS

[FROM OUR RESIDENT AGENT.] December 1 3rd.— We have had— lot me see, yes, six days without rain and, if this extraordinary drought contiuue^s much longer, irrigation works will have to be started in suburban flower gardens. Enquiries are already being made for water-ing-cans and garden engines. I have reason however to know that water is not likely to run short. The cleik to the School Committeo tells mo he is going to make the angels weep again as soon as ever he can get out a fresh batch of summonses for irregular school attendance. Some very unkind remarks were made, during and after the cricket match 011 Saturday, about the state of the ground. Batsmen complained, especially the visiting batsmen, of the long grass and appeired to think it should have been mown for the occasion. What a display of arrant selfishness have we here ! Does it not occur to these gentlemen that the very circumstances of which they complain lightened the labors of the fielders, and have they not as much right to be considered as the batsmen ? Nay, have they not more right, on the principle of 1 the greatest good t» the greatest number. It is all very well for the proud wielder of the willow after a big hit to leg to see the ball travelling to vhe boundary over a green sward, offering as little resistance as a fast billiard table. But what about the luckless man, peihaps the father of a family running a little to avoirdupois, who is sprinting after it? Besides the grass is not ready to cut. It will be another three weeks first, and when one considers the difficulty of obtaining a ton or two of really good hay, it seems a sin for the Cricket Club, or the Recreation Board, or whoever owns the land, to have to sacrifice a promising crap. The annual meeting of the Athletic Club was held on Friday evening with a rather small attendance. The accounts showed about £35 in band. Officers for the year were elected, Mr John Mackay retaining the lion, secretaryship. A good deal was said about the Sports Ground, and the management thereof severely criticised. A committee was appointeH to report on the arrangements for the annual sports, it being uuderstood that a track must be provided for the bicycle races, without which attraction no sports now-a-days caa look for success. The Athletic Club is willing to devote their balance in hand to that purpose, and it is hoped that a Cyclists' Association can be formed between Tariki and Eltham (there are estimated to be Borne seventy 1 wheelman), that would help with the rest of the money required. It was mentioned that Napier had laid down a cinder track at the cost of £68. Mr Duncan MacKay, the new host of the Empire, expresses his intention of giving £5 and a silver medal for the best Highland piper and dancer at the forthcoming sports. It is evident that with a few men of this sort there would be no difficulty about tracks ond the like. It is reported that the EgmonC Settler has changed hands, the new proprietors being two Ble'nbeim gentlemen.