| _ PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY THE FLETCHER JOHNSTON PRESS, STRATFORD, ONT. E Vol. 20 eS te se ee f the the etn) ie et ECS 2 eetay gine ee ea ete ae Re eee mee ~ é dollars and ; more STRATFORD, MAR. 12, 1943 mcm cents other, $2,000, committee for demands war Joins Women's Royal Canadian Air Force Miss Reta Rhodes, daughter of Al- derman Harry G. Rhodes and Mrs. Rhodes, one of Stratford's girls, joimed the Women's Royal Ca- nadian Air Force as Hospital Assist- ant, February 11, 1943. Miss Rhodes was born in Water- ville, Maine, in 1922, but has lived in Stratford for the past fifteen years. She was a member of St. Separate School, and later, attended the Loretto Academy in Stratford. Prior to her enlistment, Reta was an employee of the Avalon Fabrics. Upon her leaving, the presented her with a gold identifica- tion bracelet, on which is inscribed her name and number. A farewell party was held in her honor Thursday night, at her home, 162 Nile Street. She is leaving today for Rockcliffe, expects to spend, at least, one month - of her training. Ontario, ens ae = Garbage Collection Rates Raised By Committee fe Garbage collection rates were raised slightly by the finance committee of the City Council Tuesday night. The increase is from 1.9 to two mills--a comparison with last year of $28,713.30 to $27,277.64 in 1942. Two receipts were added to the es- timates, one being the sum of $4,000, representing a grant from the Strat- ford Public Utility Commission, and representing rent - from city-owned property, which will be used to create a reserve fund. The library board the per capita tax for all purposes be raised from 50 cents to 55 cents, but decided to increase the rate to 52 cents, which will raise the estimated expenditure about $360. Added to another approximate $60, realized by the per capita tax on the increased population this will give the Library Board approximately $8.500 for the year. An increase in the estimate for un- foreseen grants of $1,000 was also de- cided upon, raising the original amount from $1,350 to $2,250 It was felt that: purposes would be made on the city during the year, and the committee thought that the council should be prepared. Board of Works estimates were set at $50,700 plus provision for snow re- Ee equipment amounting to $15,- When his estimate of $13,000 for the relief department was pared to $12,- 000 Alderman Henry Palmer told the members he was resigning from the City Council. The tax rate will be struck at an early meeting of the City Council. requested that popular Joseph's "Avalon Girls" where she a ea 8 Blue Room Saturday Night TONY CRYAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA . THIS NORWEGIAN WILL FIGHT FOR HIS COUNTRY'S FREEDOM IN NEW BRITISH-BUILT DESTROYER This Norwegian gunner will carry on the fight against the op- pressors of his country in a newly-commissioned destroyer, built in Britain for the oyal Norwegian British Navy in carrying out convoy and patrol duties. Navy now co-operating with the With the ex- ception of a British liaison officer and six British seamen, the crew are all Norwegians. Pilot Officer Gives Glimpse Of Social Life In African Jungle We know our readers will be inter- ested in reading excerpts from a let- ter from Pilot Officer George B. Johnston, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benson Johnston, of Toronto, and nephew of The Mirror editor and publisher. The writer enlisted with the R.C.A.F., and after training in Canada and Eng- land was transferred to Africa, where he is still on active duty. Dear Fletcher: Where I am located seems thou- sands of miles away from anywhere but I'm with a good crowd of men, so am quite happy. Don't ever imagine that having a year without a winter is a pleasant experience. I can hardly wait to see some snow again. It seems all wrong (Contaoued on last page) Sojfhey Say | HE FISHED FOR WORDS . .. but was unable to find en- ough superlatives to describe the way he felt about BOYD'S. AND YOU PAY NO MORE! GooD SHOES PROPERLY FITTED We Often Wished we had a list of words our cus- tomers use when telling us of the shoe comfort we have given them. Best of all, they don't only express this fact to us alone, but tell their friends. We ean't tell you in this space how much this is appreciated. GRE No. 39 School Teacher Scores Big Success In Drama Newman O'Leary, a member of the staff of the Stratford Collegiate-Vo- cational Institute scored a signal suc- cess in the presentation of his three-- act drama "The Portrait" when it was given for the first time Wednes-- day night by student players of the school. It was repeated last night and is billed again tonight. Third production created within the school in the past seven years, "The Portrait" tells the story of the effects of Naziism with its hate, greed, lust and terror on the lives of the inno- cent. Mr, O'Leary's work was truly well. done by a capable young cast which includes Dorothy Fuller, Edna Gal-- lop, Ralph Wagner, Wilburn McDon-- ald, Lorne McNaught, Mary Vivian,. Tom Griffith, Garwood Russell, Earl Robinson, Laurie McCloy, Opal Spears, Joyce Cameron, George Ham- ilton, Kenneth McNaught, Austin Carter, Palmer Stalley, Christine Tay- lor, Patricia Dunbar, Eldon Buchner, Donald Mulholland, Walter Schmidt. Other numbers add to the success of the program including two sound films depicting the work of the Red. Cross Society which will receive the first $100 of the proceeds of the play. A Letter A Day Keeps The Blues Away "Well, how is your boy friend?" was the interrogation we made to an acquaintance, knowing her friend was one of our gallant soldier boys. "The last time I had a letter he was just fine," remarked the young lady to whom we made the inquiry. "Do you hear from him pretty often?" "T sure do,' was her enthusiastic reply. "My boy friend writes to me every day except Sunday." "If it were not for that I would be terribly lone- some." This is only another instance of what letters do to drive away the blues from the soldiers and their sweethearts. And may it be suggested that our brave boys will also find time to write to mother. She's an- other wonderful sweetheart. Fine Sheet Ice Always Available Says President Stratford Hockey Club, through its president, J. Harold Wyatt, told the Stratford Board of Park Management in a letter read at the Board's meeting this week that the services rendered the club at the Classic City Arena this year were greatly appreciated. The Board operates the Arena. Mr. Wyatt's letter said the Arena staff handled the big crowds efficient- ly and there was always a splendid sheet of ice available for the games. He believed that the improved ap- pearance of the Arena contributed to the success of the Junior ge ah 8 H. A. team and that the surroundings were such that they helped to bring the crowd back game after game. Other matters discussed at the meeting were of a routine nature and included the passing of accounts. It was expected that a report on the season's operations at the Arena would be available for the April meet- ing. Chairman T. J- Dolan presided.