STRATFORD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143764, 12 April 1912, Page 2

STRATFORD.

(By Our Resident Agent.) April 10.—The adjourned gymkhana is to be held (weather permitting) next Thursday, not ou Thursday week, as J reported. The management promise additional attractions as compensation for the disappointment dh Monday. Monday's weather did not affect the success of the Liberal gathering at the Town Hall. There is some complaint that Ministers (there were three taking part in the proceedings) did not take the audience more into their confidence as to their programme of legislation. I take it, however, that, as the Prime Minister said, less legislation and more administration is the keynote. It will have every one’s approval (especially with the addition of the words “and better”) with the exception of the So-cialist-Labourites, who will probably rage furiously at any slackening of the pace of legislation. Mr. E. Marfell was re-elected chairman of the Hospital Board on Tuesday. The annual balance-sheet was laid ■on the table and disclosed a satisfactory state of affairs financial. According v to statistics accompanying the balancesheet, the number of patients treated has increased and the cost decreased. We had a visit from the new Minister of Hospitals and Public Health on Wednesday. He was met at 2.30 by the Hospital Board, and, after a short conference on departmental matters, conducted over the hospital. He was evidently very favourably impressed with the building and surroundings and faultless condition of everything. He highly complimented the matron. The Minister paid a flying visit to the bowling green after leaving the v hospital, and found a good few members assembled in the expectation of witnessing the play-off between IN ew Plymouth and Hawera for the provincial banner. For some reason the fixture was off, and the Stratford bowlers were ©ugaged just- at th-e time of the Minister’s visit in a heroic attempt to surround all the eatables and drinkables provided for the expected guests. Ministerial assistance was asked and obtained. Dr Valintine, Mr. R. H. Nolan, chairman of the Hawera Hospital Board, two or three members of the Stratford Board, and Mr. Black, the Minister’s secretary, lent their aid, and a pleasant, if strenuous, quarter of an hour parsec,.