In Jun 1878, sections for the town of Stratford were sold - the Stratford Hotel site and the corner on the opposite side of Fenton-street were considered the best in the block.toThe first named (330) was put up at £70, and there was considerable competition, the bids rising occasionally by £5 and £10 till at last £161 was reached, when there a lull, and finally it was declared that Mr Fisch was the purchaser. 

 Gustave Tisch: License Transfer Stratford Hotel from Fitzpatrick

Feb 1879:  James C George advertised for tenders to erect an addition to the Stratford Hotel.

12 March 1879: A traveller on a day's ride from Hawera describes the PROGRESS OF THE MOUNTAIN :  Now that some time has elapsed since any news has appeared in the papers relative to the progress made in opening up the Mountain Road, or Mountain Track, as it is called on the Patea and Wanganui side of the mountain, it will not be waste of time to give a short account of a day's ride through the road from the Hawera end. Commencing from its boundary at the Township of Normanby, we have to record the busy appearance given to the scene by the teams of bullocks, drawing their heavy loads of metalling, which is being placed on the road between Ketemarae and Normanby —the hope of a good metalled road through the bush to Inglewood and New Plymouth. From Ketemarae to a distance of about one and a-half miles beyond the Mangawhero stream, we have a fine made road, with its culverts, excavations, and embankments completed or a distance along the Mountain Road of about eight miles out of the thirteen and a-half miles to Stratford, without break or intermission, ready for metalling.

The traveller, on his lonely ride, without companionship to while away the apparently interminable length of road is without view, as walled in on either side by the giant trees of the virgin forest, some of them leafless and almost limbless, like ghostly sentinels frowning down, and in some instances leaning towards him with such ominous crcakings, in breezy weather, as to suggest to the nervous mind that they were about to cast themselves headlong on to the weary traveller, crushing him out of sight, and being both executioner and sexton at the same moment. It is at these times, to take away the feeling of loveliness and to shorten the length of the journey, that the traveller turns his thoughts to past, present, and future, and, like certain quadrupeds of the bovine species, chews the cud of reflection, or nominates over all kinds of things, totally unconscious of his surroundings, unless awakened from his reverie by the sound of human voices, which causes him to leap out of himself into human affairs and surrounding objects noticing the changes taking place as he nods a "Good day" to the workmen toiling in the cutting, or straining to shift a heavy root and stump of pine or rata that blocks the straight course of the newly-formed road and to sink into reverie, as soon as the sound of axe and voices have passed out of hearing.

We notice at the swampy flat called Te Roti a pole, with a flag on it, and to our left a cut line, while a chain or two away we see some tents as evidence of surveyors being about. We think as we look at the position of the camp that the men who fixed it there without much thought had placed it in a very low and swampy position, a day or two of heavy rain making their location a swampy lagoon but with the human selfishness inherent to our nature, we don't care whether it is swampy or not, or if their position will entail rheumatism and the many ills that flesh is heir to, our thoughts tend to what arc they doing and we remember that Te Roti is the spot on the Mountain Road decided upon where the railway line shall leave its side by side course along the Mountain Road, and by a long deviation escape the high ground about Araukuku and the Tawhiti, coming out into open ground by the Ketemarae saw mills and on to Normanby and record the line is being surveyed that is to be followed by the iron horse in his onward career towards Wanganui and Wellington. Proceeding onward we pass the remains of a Maori whare built of pungas, and we look backwards twelve months and remember the busy scene, when forty or fifty Maoris of all ages and sexes were cutting and threshing the cocksfoot grass to obtain the seed. We remember that when our horses were allowed to stray off the narrow path among the grass, how the Wahines seizing an axe, and calling the Pakeha sanguinary names, threatened to "pukaru" the horses. We go still further back, and remember that but four short years since the persons who started to drive a mob of cattle through the Mountain track were stopped at Ketemarae by a notorious rascal named Pipe, who tried to levy, and did levy black mail for allowing the cattle to pass through the road, as utu for destroying their grass seed —their grass seed —the road known to be Government —the grass seed sown by the Government but yet claimed by the dusky aboriginals as their grass seed! Let us weep here, for the woes of the simple child of nature —hiu grass seed harvest has departed the road and the roadmaker's horses have destroyed their harvest, and this year, with the exception of a few Maoris, for a few days, about five miles forward—Stratford, where the road is not yet formed, not an ounce of grass seed has been reaped. Alas! their glory has departed, their days of bouncing have passed away their scepticism as to the power and might of the outnumbering and invincible pakeha has been destroyed. Not twelve months ago when placards were posted on the walls of the houses in Normanby, stating that the survey of the Waimate Plains was about to commence, and threatening legal proceedings against any Natives who destroyed pegs, aud signed by the Native Minister, the Natives laughed at it. Only on the Saturday previous to the occupation of the plains by the surveyors the following Monday, the Natives tore down the notices, laughing at the absurd idea —their cry, "no fear, the pakeha will not go on to the Waimate Plains."' But their unbelief has been rudely rebuked; the land has been surveyed, the pegs have been with few exceptions, untouched, the bounce of the natives from Waitotara to Stony River has been changed into wonder as to what the Government will do next. The natives of Opunake who shewed their teeth occasionally to bark, do not even growl, and their last resource ziow is Taihoa, you see no pakehas will ever settle on ihis land," but, as the survey, so will the settlement be. The last shadow of unbelief will be destroyed when they see the houses of settlers rising in all directions, and the Waimate Plains bringing forth its burden of golden grain and its length and breadth resounding with the hum of busy human industry in the harvest season. We say this because the man who, as Civil Commissioner, has put the Surveyors on the land, has the confidence of all the settlers that he will be able to put them on the land. Brave, almost to rashness, he would be willing to be the first to put up a house in the centre of the Plains, and live amongst these dusky sceptics, as witness against their unbelief.

We hear the sound of the axe, and see our fellow-countrymen working with might and main to remove all obstacles that tend to uphold the native difficulty. Patriotism may not be their motive, but £. s. d. is the main spring of their actions, aud yet it is a fact that every chain of road made passable lessens the native difficulties that are more the fruit of imagination than fact every culvert put in drives a nail in the coffin of hopes that may yet linger in the savage breast of ever regaining his lost estate. The Mountain Road cuts off the retreat of hostile natives. Civilization and its arts now surrounds them, and like skilful warriors and strategists, as most of the old warriors are, they know it, and hope dies within their breasts. We are now passing a corner of the road five miles from Stratford, which is the nearest point of the confiscation boundary line. Following a track about a mile in we come to the corner of the boundary line, one running south-easterly towards Waitotara, and the other north-easterly towards Pukearuhe. We come also upon an open space in the dense forest, known as the Ngaire swamp, of a horse-shoe shape, aud containing about five thousand acres of land, which, in the future, when drained, will be one of the richest grain growing districts along the Mountain Road. More men at work with the axe, this time splitting sleepers for the rapidly-progressing-towards-Stratford railway line. Broad slabs, long and short, for culverts; and then a long ride without any sign of human devices till the flags of the railway surveyors again catch our eye, as they push on through the bush the line from Stratford till they join with their fellows at Te Roti. This survey is none too soon if the Government are determined to carry the line through quickly, for their contract for the completion of the line to Stratford expires in July next, so that the onward progress of the line will be impeded even now for want of necessary levels, &c, for contracting for its construction. At last we reach the site of the township of Stratford, the future Chicago of New Zealand, as one auctioneer facetiously advertises it. It certainly looks as if it were the past Chicago of New Zealand, and that a vast conflagration had swept it out of existence, leaving only a few minah stumps to tell the tale. The most prominent features of the future Chicago comprise a few huts, and two large buildings, a fine ornamental store and butcher's shop, a temperance hotel and accommodation house, the property of Messrs. Curtis Brothers, which would be an ornament to any colonial town, aud a miserable looking place called the Stratford Hotel, which would disgrace any place, let alone the future Chicago of New Zealand. We feel too disgusted to stop and take a beer, but pursue our journey, ruminating on the shortsighted policy of landlords of public houses not making their house pleasing to the eye of the traveller, both in the external and internal arrangements, as well as being able to please the palate. It is all very well to say that a rose called by any other name smells just as sweet, but it doesn't fit when you try to make us believe that a good dinner, and good liquor, is as palatable out of dirty glasses, greasy dishes, with rusty knives, a soiled table-cloth, and in a house like a stable instead of a decent looking place. We don't tax the Stratford Hotel with these interior arrangements, as we did not stop to see, but we object to the building as an eye-sore, spoiling our appetite. We soon come to more human beings like ants burrowing in the soil, and find that it is Messrs. Hursthouse and Berry's contract being pushed on with unusual contractor's speed. Different portions of the contracted section of line are being vigorously worked; here and there too, we see gangs of men working side by side, and find that they are engaged under entirely different masters, and on different works. One lot are making the railway line, and the others arc making the Mountain Road, both running for twenty-seven miles, beside each other, and both we hope, destined to bear a considerable quantity of traffic, one from the settlers' homesteads to the different stations, and the other to carry the produce to the shipping ports. This busy scene lasts till we reach Waipuku, when road making alone is being carried on, the forming of the line there being' finished. At Mangamawhete, five miles from Inglewood, we see the rails laid and the steam engine ballasting, or rather taking the trucks with ballast along the line we see the hissing monster down the sidling amongst the trees taking in ballast, and we are struck with the appearance of the iron horse far below us, as we cross the bridge, standing awaiting the filling of the ballast tracks, some chains away from the main line, under the boughs of the trees, which make an evergreen triumphal arch over its head, a fit emblem of the honour due to human industry, subduing even the giants of the forest, aud making them give place to the grassy pastures and smiling grain; and thus ruminating we reach Inglewood, exchanging horse for railway car, thankful to make the rest of our journey to New Plymouth in ease and comfort.

Jun 1878: The Lincesing Court adjourns the application by Gustave Tisch to give time for the house to be provided with better accommodation.In Oct 1878 the Stratford hotel is advertised for sale

Nov 1879 RAILWAY TO STRATFORD. Those in town who havo little occasion to travel will be somewhat astonished when on the opening of tho railway to Stratford they pay their first visit to that township to find tho distance the bush has been penetrated by the iron rail, and at tho number of dwellings they pass on the way. We arc so accustomed to speak of the slow progress being made in the construction of our railway that persons fail to realiso tho fact that tho country it funs through was, five years sinco, an almost impenetrable forest. It is only about five years since that the immigrants by the ship Waikato were sent with a survey party to lay out tho present thriving town of Inglewood. "Ay, who'd a thoutit," they then soliloquised, that they should corned all the way from England to live in the groat forest, and amongst the wild hogs," and now when viewing the progress of five years, they may still chime in in chorus, Ay, who'd 'a thou't it." Beyond Inglewood the pioneer bushman has been hard at w®rk, for although to the eye of the traveller as he passes along on the rails little land appears to be cleared, yet it is owing to the sections on either side of the railway having been purchased for speculative purposes, and aro now being held till prices rise. But it is at tho back of those sections that the land is being cleared, and some day when tho bush is fallen on the front allotments, the extent of open country at the fcaclc will astonish strangers who may not be aware of what is now being accomplished. Tho line of railway from Inglewood to Stratford is very straight, and' almost level, the curves being tooi trifling to speak of, whilst the grades aro almost imperj ceptible. The length of tho line as far as the rails have been laid is nearly fourteen miles. There are only three largo rivers to be crossed the Waipuku, the Manganui, and tho Patea, the latter being at Stratford. There is nothing very striking to catch the eye for the first four miles, beyond one or two small dwellings which are passed. The next three miles the land to tho west belongs to Colonel Trimble, and a glimpse of his house is obtained a3 the train glides along. To the east, at the Norfolk Road, there is a large building recently erected as a school-house, and another as a teacher's residence. The attendance of the children atthisschool averages thirty-eight, There are a number of cottages here. Three miles beyond is the Waipuku Village, where, besides a few small houses, is au Inn, and a store. We noticed that there is no platform at this village, but that it has been erected about half-a-mile off, near the Croydon Road. This has been done, we learn, owing to the spot being the highest part of the road, and level, whereas at Waipuku it is on an incline, and, without strong breaks were kept on the carriages, it would be dangerous to stop at tho Tillage. At this spot it is about 800 feet above the level of the sea. Between Waipuku and Midhirst are the properties of Messrs. Deacon and Bewl3y, and Mr, Manes has removed his sawmill here, as he has worked out tho timber at his other place. Mr. Carter has erected a store here. Midhurst is the next stopping place, which is about nine miles from Inglewood. Here a largo engine-shed is in course of erection, and a very comfortable inn, kept by Mr. Faulkner, is close to the railway station. It is a twostoried house, with accommodation for eight or ten persons to sleep there. Stratford is the next station, and here is to bo found two large buildings the Stratford Hotel, kept by Mr. Tische, and Messrs. Curtis Bros, store. It speaks well for the enterprise of both Messrs. Curtis and Tische to have erected such large and substantial buildings so far in the bush, and they certainly deserve to succeed, The railwaystation, engine-house, &c, are in course of erection, and aro far superior to those in New Plymouth. When once the railway is opened to the public, persons will be inclined to build and settle at Stratford  but at present the feeling of isolalation debars persons from going there to live. The Stratford Hotel, kept by Mr. Tische, is a very commodious building, and accommodation for twenty persons to sleep there has been provided. He has stabling for ten horses, as well as good paddocks near at hand. Messrs. Curtis Bros, store is a very large two-storied building with every convenience for carrying on an extensive business. Here are the post-office and telegraph offices. Messrs. Hursthouse and Berry are the contractors for this line, and seem to have completed their work so far in a most satisfactory manner. They are now engaged in the erection of a bridge over the Patea River, the supports being built of concrete. All the workmanship has a substantial look about it, and we hope that the contract will prove a profitable one to the firm.

Jan 1881 - A largely attended meeting was held at the Stratford Hotel yesterday evening, to take the necessary steps towards petitioning the Education Board to erect a central and suitable school in the Township to meet the requirements of this rising district - the present temporary site being very inconveniently situated, aud a mile from the centre of the Township. Stratford is the ceutre of a large district which has mostly all been taken up by intending settlers, who, as they get sufficient clearings made, bring their families and occupy their holdings Some of the first questions they ask are what schoolhouse have you here? and where is it situated? To which the reply is the district school is about a mile from the centre of the Township, and school is held alternately three days one week and two days the next if you want your children to attend school regular, they will have to walk three miles to Midhirst, as that school and ours are kept by the same master, or, in other words, are known as half time schools. A committee was appointed, viz., Messrs. W. O'Brien, C. Curtis, C. Gardner, J. Smith, and W. Tisch with power to add to their number, who were to canvass the district with a petition, and lay the same as early as possible before the Education Board in New Plymouth, in the hope when they know the number of children residing here, will do their best for the district in having a school erected and a master perminently stationed here.

8 apr 1881 the Stratford Hotelhas been sold to Patrick Mahoney,  for something over £600. He had resided prior at Wanganui for 25 years

MAY 2. Mr. Mahoney, the new proprietor of the Stratford Hotel, who with his family arrived here about a fortnight ago, has been in very bad health since his arrival, and at present lies in a precarious condition. The listance from rue heal aid under such circumstances as this is severely felt, though hitherto sickness has been but little known ia the district.

June 14. Considerable sympathy is felt throughout the district for Mr. Mahoney, of the Stratford Hotel, and his family, in the severe and prolonged illness attendant upon his advent in this district. A fortnight ago, in consequence of his anxiety to be amongst his family, he prevailed upon the hospital authorities to permit him to come up here, but getting worse, he was compelled to return again in a few days, since which time, I understand, he is iinpioving. Mr. Mohoneyhas been erstwhile lev-ec of the Masonic Hotel  at Wanganui, where ho was universally esteemed and popular. It, is to be hoped he will be restored in perfect health to his family.

21Jul Mr. Mahoney, of the Stratford Hotel, has been brought home again from the hospital, but is still in very weak health.

10 Aug  Mr. Tisch, late of the Stratford Hotel, has purchased Mr. Price's accommodation-house at Mangawhero, which has been granted a license, and is being renovated; so that in future a comfortable and much-needed hostelry will be available at that place for the travelling public.

12 sep 1881 .DEATH:  MAHONEY.— On the 12th September, Patrick Mahoney (late of the 57th Regiment), Proprietor of the Stratford Hotel, aged 42 years. The funeral will leare the Hospital tomorrow (Tnesday), at 2 p.m., when friends are invited to attend.

8 Mar 1882  Henry Mehaffy applied for a transfer of the license of the Stratford Hotelfrom the Public Trustee to himself. The app'ication was granted. (10 Jun 1882  licence renewed as M Mahoney)

30 may 1882 STRATFORD. A meeting was held at the Stratford Hotel, on Saturday, 27th May, to consider the question of urging the Government to at once, or as soon as possible, form and metal the road leading from Stratford to Opunake. Mr. G .N. Curtis was in the chair. A great deal of discussion took place as to the advisability of sending a deputation of one person from Stratford in conjunction with another from Opunake, versus a petition being got up and numerously signed. In consideration of the uncertainty of raising sufficient funds to carry out the former, it was unanimously agreed that a petition should be sent to Parliament from the settlers of the respective towns and localities. All present thought it only fair that Government should take into serious consideration their many promises as to making Stratford a public centre for railways, &c, especially as many settlers had taken up land with that understanding.

25 Aug 1882 FIRE: STRATFORD HOTEL BURNED. This morning, at 5 o'clock, the inmates of the Stratford Hotel were aroused by a crackling noise, when it was discovered that the building was on fire. Mr. Mehaffy, the landlord, was first disturbed by the noise, and he gave the alarm to the other persons in the hotel. The fire was found to be in the spirit-room, under the staircase, and the partition wall dividing the room from the parlour was ablaze. A supply of water was obtained by means of buckets, the flames were extinguished, and it was thought that the fire was altogether stamped out. The occupants went out of the room, thinking that everything was perfectly safe, but in about 10 minutes aftewards the fire broke out again, and. this time all efforts to save the builc l^ proved ineffectual. The fire had rfot been extinguished, but the scrim had smouldered until it suddenly broke out again. There was a fire in the parlor the previous evening, and, as the parlor adjoins the spirit room, it is surmised that the fire might have originated in some way from the embers left in the parlour fire-place. The occupants of the hotel were Messrs. Mehaffy (landlord), J. Duncan, Jackson, McCormick, and Miss O'Shannassy. The building was insured in the name of the Union Bank of Australasia (the mortgagees) for £500 in the Victoria, and the stock and furniture was insured in the name of Henry Mehaffv in two offices for £400— viz., the United" £250, and the Norwich Union £150.

August 25. About 5 a.m. this morning the Stratford Hotelwas burnt down by fire. Most of the furniture was saved, but the build'ng is a total wreck. Plenty of willing hands were available, but all they could do was to save the furniture. From what I could see the smoke seemed to issue from the ridging, not near the chimney, but in the middle of the building and I looked all about the ground floor and perceived no traces of fire it seemed strange, but another told me the fire originated in the spirit room, under the stairs, and went up the lining to the roof. The building is heavily insured.

15 may 1883 Thursday was a merry making day (despite the continual downpour of the watery elements) both at Midhirst and Stratfordl, an entertainment being given at the Stratford Hotelby Mr. Mehaffy, it being his opening night. The hotel is a very commodious one, and is quite a grand building for Stratford. I believe a fair number attended, and altogether it passed off quietly

5th nov 1883 The Stratford Hotel has again changed hands, Mr. T. Espagne having now taken it over; (his wife Bridget is the licencee - they are separated and he continues to live at Hawera - he is an alcoholic) and I have no doubt that under the new management a good trade will be done, us the building is new, and has been handsomely and conveniently furnished throughout, no expense having been spared to make its accommodation as perfect as possible.

26 Feb 1886: The management of the Stratford Hotel is to change hands shortly, it being stated that Mr. J. Coldwell is to tako over Mr. Tutty's interest.

Proprieter Mr John Coldwell retired to his farm on Opunake Road AND  Dec 1890 Mr Benjamin Blower, formerly proprietor of tho Queen's Hotel, in Wellington, and latter of the Club Hotel, Palmerston North, has purchased the freehold of the Stratford Hotel. Mr Blower takes possession at once.

jan 1891: Two much felt wants are about to be supplied. Additional accommodation is to be provided at the Stratford school and a grant of £200 is to be spent, and at the Stratford Hotel, our new landlord, Mr Blower, calls for tenders for enlarging his premises to the extent of two sitting-rooms, Billiard room, nine bedrooms, and a bathroom.

License: B Blower to Twentyman Wilson 10 Dec 1891

Mar 10 1893: J Prosser applies for a licence change. Maud Prosser is hotel houskeeper and the youngest children Ben and Blanche attend the Stratford Primary School 1896

5 apr 1894: The Stratford Hotel is to have additional bedroom and simple-room accommodation.

12 May 1894  The appearance of the town at Fenton street corner has been much improved by the levelling of tho street and the removal of the unsightly stone channel. The Stratford Hotel verandah, an eyesore for many months, is in course of alteration. A contract amounting to £220 has been let for additions to the hotel itself. The workmen are engaged in Mr Feed's new premises on the west side of Broadway, and the foundations are being laid for a new boarding house near tho East Road corner. There are other buildings in course of erection about tho township and, last but not least, the plans for the courthouse and post office are still being prepared.

Dec 1897 . The old established hotel in Stratford, viz., the Stratford Hotel, lately occupied by Mr Twentyman Wilson, is now under the capable hands of Mr R. Carr, late of London and Auckland, who offers every convenience for travellers, as will be seen in an advertisement in this issue