STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11625, 14 September 1899, Page 2

STRATFORD NEWS.

fPROM OUR RESIDENT AGENT.] September, 13.— The Town Hall was entered through the. window last night in the absence of the custodian. The sidedoor was then opened and a gang of men gained admittance and {'proceeded to dispose of some £200 worth of the ratepayers' property. A firo was lit bat it is not supposed that incendiarism was part of the programme. The police are reticent on the affair.

The new Primitive Methodist Ohuroh was opened on Sunday, and the usual congratulatory tea co/cort was held on Monday. The Rev. Mr Clement was excusably jubilant on tho manner ia which hi(\ flock had responded to the call for funds to carry out thn work. Xl»8 building hii cost about £400, and will seat 250 people. At thj socia', one speaker taid that tha reason there was no theatre fa Stratford was tint tha people had a propensity for iqnndoring their money ou church as

A contract his jus!; bsen let for » Catholic presbytery— another £500 gone. Rapid progress has been made with the erection of tho new Club Hotel. Tho bar is now in use, the temporary building being for Eale. The building occupies almost tbe whole frontage of the section, or about 70 feet, the entrance to the stablo yard being by a covered way. A. balcony runs the whole length and a substantial appearance i) given to the wholo by ilia brick side wal:s.

A clue his been discovered to the ex* traordimry aff lir that forms the subject of my opening par. There was a Borough Council meeting in the hall and the City Fathers, thinks to tha forgetfulness of tho liall lessee, were locked out until they effected an entrance as described.