Stratford News.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 12757, 10 January 1905, Page 3

Stratford News.

(From our Resident Agent.) January Tlh. — The event of the week, in default of anything in the way of racing or sports, has been the "cutting of the first sod" of the mountain railway. Not that many of us attended the actual ceremony (it rained and the scene was six miles away from Broadway), but, to use a favourite expression of the Premier's, we were present in spirit. Afterwards, when the sod-cutters returned to Oie shelter of the >Stratford Hotel, and the drinks were set up, we took care to be present both in body and in spirits. U aipuku engineers say the route of the line, as far as the "radius line" or boundary of the mountain "reserve, alfcrs no greater engineering difficulties than are occasioned by the necessity for rolling old pine logs off the track and grubbing a stump here and there. Rapid progress bhould therefore be made and the £5000 vote go, a long way. The wheelbarrow used for the function was the identical one used in March, 190.1, at the starting of the Stratfo:xl-Ongaruhe railway works, if I were desirous of raising the dander of our Eltham neighbours, I might hint that the barrow may be destined to appear in public once again — at the inauguration of the Stratford-Opunake branch. But the subject is said to be a sore one, and I refrain. Something was said at the festivity on Friday of the mountain line being utilised fot tourist traffic as the quarry, the ultimate objective, is to be about 3000 ft up the mountain side. Such may come about in the dim and distant" future, but it must not be forgotten that the grades of tHe upper portion of the line will be very severe, and that a loaded passenger car is a different thing from an empty ballast truck. An electric tram service may meet the case. It is all a question of revenue. Stratford people complain that there is never any amusement in the town in the Christmas and New Year holidays. With a view to find at remedy for this siad state of affairs and to ensure that when next festive season comes round there shall be fun for the million as well as "cakes 1 and ale/ the Mayor has called a public meeting. It is, especially noticeable this year that there is a marked disinclination to settle down to regular graft until the first week of the Kew Year has passed. It is as though increase of appetite for holidays -grows by what it feeds "upon. This applies particularly to farmers, dairy factory hands and railwayman, who at lihis season are smitten with desperate longings for the dolce far niente, and are inclined to rebel against the tyranny of the cow and the cheap-tripper.