STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11816, 13 November 1901, Page 2

STRATFORD NEWS.

(FROM OUR RESIDENT AGENT.)

.November 11th. — As usual, Stratford .people in general sought fresh fields and pastures new in which to snjoy the brief holiday. Waverley races attracted many ; the New Plymouth train was well filled ; Elthani received a quota to marvel at the tremendous performances of the champion axemen and sawyers. For those who stayed nearer home, there was a sham fight by the Citizen Army in the Domain and a bun. fight by the Salvation Ax*my on the river bank.

For myself, I hearkened not to the voices of those who counselled the pursuit of pleasure, but , obeying stern duty's call rode up the Mountain track to attend a committee meeting- at the Mountain House. A.s often happens, I found pleasure by the way. The morning was lovely, the company merry and the track not too muddy. The committee duly met at 11.30 and got through a substantial luncheon and a 'fair amount of business. Mr J. D. Morrison was elected chairman, vice Mr T. E. Hamerton resigned, and Mr McAllister was nominated for the vacancy on the committee. The member oi the National Park Board who' was present (Mr Burgess) was primed with a list of urgent wants, and matters generally put in train for the opening of the mountaineering season. The meeting then adjourned and the members, after a stroll higher- up the mountain side, made another onslaught on the provisions and left for the dusty lower world.

There was one fact brought forcibly to the notice of the committee during their ride through the -bush and that is that if Taranaki's National Park is to be preserved for future generations it will have to-be l'enced. Settlers cattle are fast'eating out the underscrub, the ultimate result of which must inevitably be the destruction of the forest.

There was another unpleasing sight to bo seen on the way to the mountain — large patches of ragwort in tVower in a paddock by the roadside.

The first lot of pipes for the borough sewerage is ready for shipment and "the engineer has gone to nd to inspect. The first lot of waterpipes is expected from London next month.