STRATFORD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16050, 7 February 1918, Page 2

STRATFORD.

no U OtTE BBSIMUT AQHNI. t Feb. 6.—The Protestant Association is meeting to-night in the Town Hall and the Rev. Howard Elliott is speaking to a full house. And thereby hangs a tale. Some time back thp, Borough Council quashed the letting of the hall to the association on the ground that the presence of the reverend gentleman would probably cause a disturbance. 1 The meeting was accordingly held in another hall but, as Mr. Elliott was not present, his qualifications, at , a detonator were not tested. Threats of an action against the council for breach of .agreement to let the hall were made, but came to nothing. On this occasion, although Mr. Elliott was advertised to speak, the council did not interfere. But the Mayor was away on holiday and, returning a few days ago, was scandalised to find that the council was supinely allowing, its former decision to be flouted. Ho .took drastic steps to. prevent the meeting, securing the doors and windows of the hall and disconnecting the electric lights, informing the public of what he had don© through the medium of an indignant letter to the local paper. But, as stated above, the association is in possession of the hall and Mr. Elliott is speaking. The Mayor has not climbed down, but someone has climbed up and captured • the hall. The lights are reconnected, and there appears to be no sign of any disturbance. People are wondering what action the Mayor will now take. The men proceeding to camp this morning were fare welled” by a large crowd, and the valedictory speeches were made by the Mayor and the Rev. C. Howard. Until very recently the lettering “Stratford Hotel” was faintly discernible on the weather-boards of an old cottage bn the main road just north of the borough boundary. About 40. years ago it was used as an accommodation lipuse for the coach passengers between-. Haw.era . and New Plymouth. They dined here whilst the horses were changed. Stratford had just been, named, and the bush felled_ on the northern half of the township. The cottage is 'how being pulled down. Matters are not looking too bright in the dairy world what with the absence of outward shipping and of supplies of requisites of various kinds. There is no prospect, pf improvement this jnonth, 1