STRATFORD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16876, 25 October 1920, Page 2

STRATFORD.

FROM OUR RESIDENT AGENT, Oct. 23.—The Salvation Army were running a “copper trail” in Broadway to-day, the procedure consisting in decorating the kerb of the sidewalks with a band of coloured paper and bailing up the public for donations to the selfdenial fund. The band from the Eltham Boys’ Home performed very- creditably for an hour or two in the afternoon. There ware a good number of visitors in the .town, and doubtless the financial result of the foray would be satisfactory.

Railway officials have been “speerin’ round” the buildings on the railway reserve in Broadway, and we gather that the auction of the leases will not be long delayed l . The present occupiers are looking with some anxiety for the announcement of the upset rentals and possible conditions as to rebuilding. Hie announcement in tho Public Works Statement that Tahora will be for some considerable time the terminus of the western section of the: StratfordMain Trunk railway is not unexpected. From the Taranaki point of view it would have been more satisfactory if there were a prospect of equal progress on both the eastern and western sections. _ Possibly through connection will come just as soon, but in tho meantime Ohura business will bo flowing Aucklandwards with railway connection established with the Main Trunk, whilst traffic this way is handicapped by miles of had road. Possibly something may be done to improve the road, which in parts is, in winter, very nearly impassible for anything on wheels. There seems to be a chance that wheybutter will not bo purchased by the Imperial Supplies Department and will have free markets overseas. If it is sold on its merits on tho English market and the retail price is uncontrolled we may have the curious result of tho cheese factories getting considerably more for low grade butter than the butter factories get for high grade.'That same thing actually occun-ed locally for a short time in tho winter of 1919. Strange things come about when Governments interfere with the laws of supply and demand.