STRATFORD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16895, 17 November 1920, Page 4

STRATFORD.

FROII OCR RESIDENT AGENT Nov. 15.—There was a school treat of an unusual- kind at Mr. Hanford's farm on the Opunake Road last week. The chairman of the Stratford Dairy Co. is a Jersey enthusiast, and his herd was the subject of a competition in show-judging amongst a hundred or so Stratford boys and girls. They had to award points for Die various qualities that go to the make-up of the complete dairy champion. The cards, when filled in were compared with one already completed by the adult juage. The young fanciers acquitted themselves very well, but . on the whole, the girls showed the most aptitude in’ recognising tho essential marks of good bleeding.

Such work among the rising generation is not only good for our staple industry, but is an example of what must bo done in connection With all branches of useful work if our white civilisation is not to go under. We must get people interested in their work, and put a stoj} to this constant scheming to put few Hours aud grudged energy mio useful pursuits, watching the ciock for the hour wiien wo cun get away to some form of more or less unhealthy excitement. We want to cultivate the habit of happiness at work.

The Governor-General and Lady Jellicoo are to honour tiie show with their presence next Thursday, so surely the weather, even in this most extraordinarily perverse season, will once more exhibit a little favouritism towards Stratford. AVo have had line weather on so many show-days in succession that one rather' trembles for the luck on this occasion. The show itself promises to bo as good as ever. The entries are, 1 believe, in excess of last year’s.

Tiio Borough Council proposes to put its big loan proposal before the ratepayers next month. It will amount to £126,000. This does not include a further substantial sum that will have to be raised in the near future for additional electric lighting plant, nor is a Government loan of £IO,OOO for house building included.

Sunday night's gale does not appear to have done any serious damage here, but our neighbours at Eltham evidently got the full force of the fierce blasts.

• I bear that the leases of the railway reserves on cast side arc to be put up to auction in January. There will he some curiosity to know what upset rentals the department regards as reasonable.