STRATFORD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13536, 12 October 1907, Page 7

STRATFORD.

(From Our Resident Agent.) October 10. — Ordinary English fails to do justicie to the weather. There is a word which, though not to be found in Webster, is, I understand, pure United States,' that 'seems to almost fit the occasion. It is "rumbunctious." Next Monday evening there is likely to be fun at the Borough Council. The grave and reverend city fathers are to be approached by a deputation from the No-license League and asked to adopt a little foster-child in the shape of a proclamation setting forth the dangers that lurk within, the bowl. Those who know the constituent elements of our local parliament will see how widely views may- diverge upon the matter. Not that there is anything markedly controversial in the statements the Council is ; asked to publish with its endorsement 1 . Everyone, unblinded by prejudice or self-interest, sees that the abuse of alcohol leads to misery and that the abuse is far too prevalent. Probably, too, most of us might be brought to admit that the safest course fWr most of the other fellows lies in abstinence. But the question that will arise will be as to whether the Council is not being asked to embark in a line of business for which it~ig**not altogether well fitted, and which will certainly lead to further developments on the line of interference in social questions. It might, for j instance, be called upon to issue a manifesto against the abuse of the cigarette, the tea-pot, the high-heeled shoe, or the I low-necked dress, to suppress tight-lac-ing and loos<B conversation. At a committee- meeting of the Strat- ; ford branch of the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, it was reported that the inspector had dealt with sixty-two cases in the last twelve months,. It was decided to arrange for the extension of his jurisdiction so as to include the whole of Taranaki. Two members of the society are to visit the towns and endeavour to arouse interest in the work.