STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11663, 24 January 1901, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

fFROM Oi'B RBHIDBNT AGENT 1 Jantsaxy 22ttd.— The news of the critical State of the Queen came to us here, as elsewhere, as a great shock. Her Majesty has reigned so long— -few, indeed, of us havingany recollection of a time when it wat "The King " — that her people have almost fast sight of the fact that her life was held on the frail tenure of an octogenarian. We can scarcely realise the possibility of the Empire without " The Queen." The long-delayed fencing of the railway line is making -satisfactory progress, there being now little to do south of Stratford. A water-famine is within 000-ed araoDg our householders who do not possess deep wells; Clouds of smoke to the eastward, and an occasional flicker of white ash from "the vppar air, show that the bnrning-off aeason is with us, and that a further extension of onr pastures i» in progress. The days when we were half suffocated in the tovn have departed, there being ▼erv little bush to burn within five miles of Stratford. January 23. — The news of the death of the Queen arrived about noon, and was at once made known by the half-masting of the flag at the Borough Council Chambers and by the issue of " extras" from the newspaper offices. Business was at once suspended, shops closed, and the windows in many instances draped with black. The State School flag, which was to have b<sen hoisted for the first time tomorrow with the usual ceremony and rejoicings, was run up half-mast in silence and sorrow. The elements were in keeping, for the day has been a wet one, and the aspect of Broadway this afternoon, with closed shops and knots of men under the verandahs discussing the great and rad event in subdued tones, is eloquent of mourning. Everyone seems to realise how great a figure hat been removed from the World's stage, and there is, in addition, a certain feeling of personal be reavement that bears remarkable testimony to the hold which Victoria the Great bad upon the affection as well as . fbe respect of her subjects.