STRATFORD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143762, 10 April 1912, Page 4

STRATFORD.

(By Our Resident Agent.) April B.—Jupiter Pluviu* got oven with our A. and P. Association to-day. At the first show in 1910, when the waterspout burst at Puniwhakau, he missed. the show by 20 miles. At the lost show he timed his shot an hour late. But at to-day’s gymkhana he was all there. Starting the day with a light drizzle, relieved by cunning little intervals when the sun seemed to be breaking through, he waited until a small crowd of hardy holiday folk had assembled at tho Flint Road. Then the rain was turned oh in dead earnest, and tlie show committee sadly realised that the gymkhana was not to bo to-day. Postponement until Thursday, the XBth, was decided upon. A novelty in sporting events was concluded on Friday in the shape of n match between the Gun Club and the Rifle Club. The conditions wore that the gunners were first to take on the ritles with tho hitters’ weapon at the targets, and then the same teams were to try conclusions with tho smooth boro at the clay pigeons. At the first match the riflemen put up a strong lead of 190 at tho range, an advantage which tho Gun Chib was just unable to wrest from them in the deciding contest. Tin's is tho night of the Liberal counterblast to the recent Reform Rally, hat the beautiful weather, that favoured Mr. Massey has given place to rain and wind as a greeting for the new-fledged Ministers. Regarded as to some extent a visit of condolence, the weeping heavens are in keeping with the occasion. The retiring Mayor,- Afr. Masters, has definitely declined nomination for another term, and so far no other candidate has come forward. This is finite a new departure for Stratford, where as a rule we have quite an embarrassment of choice for our chief magistrate. JMr. W. P. Kirkwood and Mr. R. MTv. Morison are the mast likely to he prevailed upon to face tho responsibilities of the position.