STRATFORD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143771, 20 April 1912, Page 2

STRATFORD.

(By Our Resident Agent.)

April 19. —Favoured by beautiful weather, the A. and P. Association’* “gymkhana” met with very considerable success yesterday. It may be stated imprimis that there is, notwithstanding the outlandish name, nothing very extraordinary about the doings that go to make up a gymkhana—that is if it really was to the genuine article that we were introduced at Flint Road grounds. The programme was mainly made up of horse and pony leaping, trotting races, driving competitions, buckjumping, and other equestrian gymnastics. A motor car event, chainstepping, weight-guessing, and such like, gave variety: to the proceedings. The Stratford Orchestra was stationed in a tent near the grandstand and discoursed swieet music all the afternoon. Then there was tl\e eating and drinking for which bountiful provision had been made. I noticed that the grove of pines near the entrance where the committee had thoughtfully placed a number of tables, was neopled at lunch time by quite a horde of picnickers. Altogether the association is to be congratulated on, its venture. A pleasant afternoon for . some 2000 people and a fair addition to the treasurer’s cash balance will recompense the officials for their hard work. 1 The new Minister of Education could not get away from Wellington to open the new school yesterday, nor to take part in the subsequent conversazione. It is, by the way, a proof of the cosmopolitan nature of our culture in Stratford that one could take part in a gymkhana in the afternoon and wind up the evening at a conversazione. Of course everyone knows what the latter is. They were bringing it in in tins and baskets and boxes all the afternoon, and began serving it out directly the speeches were over. For two solid hours that consersazione kept issuing from the magazine near the eastern door of the school, and was absorbed by the crowd thkt‘ filled the dance rooms, the card room and the corridors. The 'supply seemed inexhaustible and so did the demand. We certainly missed the Minister, but the loss was not entirely on our side. He would have enjoyed .the conversazione, that is if his digestion is up to the average Stratford standard. In the absence of the expected great man, the "open sesame” was pronounced by the chairman of the Education Board, Mr. Trimble, who was supported by the Hon. Thos. Kelly, M.L.C., Mr. J„ B. -Hine, M.P., the Mayor of Stratford, and by three members of the board,, Messrs. Masters, Rogers and Young. ..Tiie speeches.were shorfc.and pithy, and were interspersed with musical and vocal items. This part of the evening was over early. For one things there was not nearly enough room in the •long-classroom for half the' people in the building. It was not possible for more than half the people ;ip hear. The rest thronged the corridors knd, waited for the conversazione. But if was really a very enjoyable evening, no stiffness, everyone out for pleasure. The building was much admired—so solid and spacious, clean and convenient—:a beautiful school.