STRATFORD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143691, 12 January 1912, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Resident Agent.) Jan. 11. —There has been no rain for a whole week, and people are beginning to look serious and shako their heads over the impending drought. They say that last month’s fourteen inches of water must have gone straight to the sea, for wells and creeks Vemain low. There are indeed signs, as the years go on, of the gradual drying of the land. During the heavy storms of last month the Patea rose and fell with great rapidity, showing that the rainfall does actually get to the sea in a much .shorter time than formerly. The half-holiday question may be considered as. settled for tbe present year. Wo shall stick to Thursday. I . am , by, no means sure that,' even if / the farmers took kindly to the Satur-/ day closing, the change would be altogether in the interests of the smaller towns. Some loss of trade might re- ’ suit from the extra facility given for spending week-ends in the larger centres, and local sports might also suffer from - the same centralising infhi'.ence. Wo certainly do not want anything .that will increase the tendency of modern youth to spend time and money on railway journeys and to bo spectators rather than doers in tho matter of .sports and games. . _ _ The Egmont Club is moving into its fine hew quarters this week, quarters that compare. very favourably with those of its elder brother, tho Strat* ford Club. • The Egmont has a demo*cratio constitution and a large mem. bership. , Our bowling green is in fine condition and as keen as a well-worn billiard table.' The Eltham bowlers paid a visit to-day, and had a pleasant game although defeated. Their own green they report as on the heavy side this season, and they were consequently at a disadvantage.