STRATFORD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 14397, 3 January 1911, Page 2

STRATFORD.

Jan. 2.—Hogmanay, as tho unspeakable Scot calls the closing of the old year, passed off in Stratford with some shadow of the old-time revelry. The crowd in Broadway by no means equalled that of Christmas five. The past year has, I should say, been easily the most prosperous that the town has yet seen. Alore people have used it as a centre, more money had been distributed, the streets have borne more traffic, and the bouses- have hold more inhabitants. Even the cells at the police station have entertained a recur dflow of pay-ing-guests. The effect of : all this-in-creased activity is evident in the share rise that has taken dace in land values. The leases of two Broadway business sites of about equal intrinsic value were put up at auction the other day. Hie torraer lessee was the only bidder lor til.: one, and ho got it at tho reserve of about 23s per foot rental. Iho other lease two persons wore anxious to acquire, and in consequence thq successful bidder Will pay about 40s rental. Nbw, which will lie tho standard (or the next revision of values for rating? The history of Stratford is a chequered one. Started in ’7B with some trumpeting us tho future inland city of Taranaki, it: most decidedly misfired, and lay dormant for ten or twelve years. The simultaneous opening of the-cast country and the establishment of dairy factories in the early nineties caused rapid development lasting some ton years. Then tho forward movement was spent and another period of stagnation followed. A year or so ago it became evident tha tthe Government meant business with tho Stratford-Main Trunk railway. This prospect, together with excellent prices for farm produce, has now sent the town again forging thead, It has until lately been always a matter of doubt whether Stratford was destined to be the hub of united Taranaki, or a mere point at which the spheres of mirth and south came in contact. AVhether, to enry the metaphor, we were commercially in a basin or on a watershed. The question is now probably settled. As a railway junction of importance the town must attract business from a widening circle. The Hospital Board to-day appointed Dr. Jamieson, of Eketnhuna as medical superintendent of the • hospital. Dr. Jamieson, though comparatively young, has bad n wjde exneriencc and bolds excellent testimonials. .A holiday gentleman whoso skull had collided severely with .a bottle has been spending a few days a the hospital. He appears, up to the hour of leaving, to have held unusual views as to tho ohnraeler of fho institution. He was curious ns to why tho “landlady” wore “streamers," bothered ihe “waitresses” for lohaeeo and matches, made frenuent Inquiry as to the whereabouts of tho bar, and finally called for bis bill, when bis repealed bints Mint n better table mb'bt be kept, were disregarded. Tie paid the hill, T mit v-nhl. bul felt (dial for the money meat should certn iuly bo srrvoil throe times n dny.