MATTERS MILITARY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 91, 16 April 1912, Page 7

MATTERS MILITARY.

A fairly long discussion occurred Inst night at the meeting of the; Borough Council on military matters, the basis of the debate being found in the following report by the Town Clerk : "In accordance with instructions reeived at last meeting, I wrote to the local Territorial Officers asking thorn to meet the Council to discuss the question of providing drill accommodation in Stratford. "I have also since interviewed Colonel Mnlono and Captain Lampen. Colonel Mnlono suggests that the Council affirm or otherwise the principal cf providing the accommodation required. "If the proposition is favourably considered he then suggests that the Council place before the Department an offer in the direction of how far they are prepared to go in return for a reasonable rent.

"Colonel Mnloae advises that Colonel Chaytor. the Officer Commanding, will ho in Hawera during the approaching encampment, and suggsts that ho be interviewed by a deputation from the Council with regard to the above matter."

The Town Clerk stated in explanation that Captain Lampen .had told him that the Town Hall was not suited for drill purposes. Cr. Ward said he did not believe "in running after the Defence Department.' 5 He thought that the fact that the .Department were not providing their own accommodation was evidence that they did not believe that the Territorial business was going to last. He thought that the £IOOO or £ISOO required to build the accommodation required would be better spent in doing something to the Town Hall, which needed the money badly enough, as it was on the down, grade instead of the up grade. The Mayor said that "these Territorials were not such a benefit to this town as to warrant such a thing as this proposed iexpenditurej" Cr. Paget said that' apparently Cr. Ward was ■ hurt.because Colonel Malcno and Captain Lampen had not come "cap in. hand and made obeisance to the Council." He thought that there -wetx'. other things which might bo considered before erecting a new building. He had in his mind a building that would suit. Or. J. D. Healyi>said that while not endorsing whati'Cu. Ward had said with regard to tho Territorials, they certainly wanted something definite from them.

Cr. King remarked that to think of spending such a sum of -money was absurd. He considered that a building suited to their purpose could be erected at a cost of from .£3OO to £350. A bargain with the Territorials in connection with this .matter would be

~';:>od for the Council and good for the town.

Cr. Kenly ridiculed the statement that a building 12Q x CO feet could be bit It for the sum Cr. King had mentioned. Such a sum "would not look at it."

It was decided to set up a committee to ascertain the requirements of the Territorials and to report to the Council.