STRATFORD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16823, 23 August 1920, Page 3

STRATFORD.

FROM OUR RESIDENT AGENT. August 21. —Cold as it undoubtedly is we hear of its being colder in other places. This is, of course, consoling, iput it does not make the much-needed grass grow in the paddocks, many of which are looking as dry and yellow and bare as an old doormat. Some of the just-arrived fanners, who have walked in as the other party to the deal walked out, will bo finding the milk cans filling badly- So constant a succession of heavy, frosts is a bit unusual at this end & winter. Cold winds at the opening of spring are not unusual. The Friendly Societies’ Hospital Association: in, the end adopted the increased levy of £1 per annum, there being evidently no alternative. It is of no use expecting to get anything at the old price and few things of the old quality. Fortunately there is no lowering of the standard in the matter of ■hospital accommodation and treatment. That improves with every year that passes. Lowgarth Dairy Co. directors met here on Friday and decided to dispose of their cheese on open consignment through Messrs, Lovell and Christmas, Before ’the war Messrs. Lane and Co.” did their business. On the other hand tho Ngaire Dairy Co., whose output Messrs. Lovell and Christmas had handled for a quarter of a century nearly, have this year selected Messrs. Lane and Co. There were at least two surprised parties to this interchange Of agents. . 1 . Strange ideas of the constitution of a joke obtain with some people. A young man found himself in the court the other day charged with the theft of a doorrffat from a shop in town. Tho offence was admitted hut explained away as the result of a bet made when the wine was in and the wit was out. The Bench took a lenient view and fined the joker £l, hut, when the decision was received with a ’smile, took occasion to drive home the fact that the young man s name was permanently recorded in the books of the Court as that of a convicted thief. Tho culprit then began to show some doubt as to whether there really w T as a humorous side to the affair. Our County Council had no difficulty in deciding to endorse a resolution of the Waitaki Hospital Board objecting to having responsibility for public health thrust upon local bodies. Reading problems are quite of sufficient perplexity to employ the full energies of county councils. Public Health matters should be attended to by the Public Health Department. Else—what is it for?