STRATFORD MUNICIPALITY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 55, 8 June 1916, Page 2

STRATFORD MUNICIPALITY

NEW CHAMBERS. THE OFFICIAL OPENING. Last evening there was a large and representative gathering of citizens of both sexes in the Council room of the [new buildings, when the Mayor (Mr •). lyV. Boon) presided. Seated on the Ida is with His 'Worship were two exmayors, Mr W. P. Kirkwood and Mr .). Masters. Jn front sat the clerk (Mr p. Skoglund). and comfortably ensconced in high-backed leather-furnished chairs were the. present civic fathers in their places at the oval table. From behind, seated and standing, the public looked on interestedly. The Mayor’s table was covered with a Union Jack.

His Worship the Mayor, in opening, said ho was pleased to have associated with him on such an occasion two exmayors in the persons of Mr Kirkwood and Mr Masters, it was pleasing, also, to notice others who had occupied the mayoral chair, namol.v Mr N. J. King and Mr G. gangster, besides past and present councillors in representative numbers, all of whom had rendered yeoman service to the Borough in their time.

i ouch in g on other matters, the Mayor relerred to the death of Loid Kitchener, which, following so closely on the loss of many hundreds of bravo sailors in the battle in the North Sealast week, came as a great shock to every loyal member of the Umpire. Lord Kitchener was the one man that all of them had absolute confidence in. —(Applause). They regarded his death as a distinct loss, but lie (the Mayor) believed it would only serve to stimulate them with the determination to sooner bring the war to a victorious end. He asked the gathering, a s a mark of regret and esteem for the late Secretary of State, to stand in silence for a moment “Thank you!” said Mr Boon as seats were resumed.

The Mayor then referred to the 1 death of an old and respected occupant of the mayoral chair, in the per-j son of the late Mr P. F. Ralfe, who j passed away at Raglan shortly after receiving tlie invitation to he present at the opening ceremony. Mr Halle 1 was one of their citizens who had ) worked honestly and well for the wel- j fare of Stratford, and had done a I great deal for the borough as well asj the country. He moved that a letter of condolence he sent to Mrs 0. M. Curtis, daughter of the deceased. Mr Kirkwood seconded the motion, and in doing so, referred to the late Mr Ralfe’s sterling character and to the work that he had done in coimoo-j lion with the town of Stratford, all; of which was very much appreciated, i He was a man of rugged character and j straightforward principles, and there, was no doubt all were much grieved to, lose him. j The motion was carried in silence, all standing. THE MAYOR’S ADDRESS. Regarding the opening of the build-1 iug, His Worship said he had a lew words to say in regard to this ceremony. The old building was a tine asset and revenue-producer, and the. [ Council who carried out the scheme J are to ho commended for their fine > work. The population in May, 1900. ■ ■Viis and to-day was over 3000, j or an increase of 100 per cent. No doubt we had outgrown our buildings, ' the reading room was too small, and* ihe library was very small indeed. The Town Clerk and Engineer had not

rooms, and it was impossible to gel, the best work from them under suchi conditions. The fire occurred on

October 17, 1914, and the revenue at the time was £584 per annum. The loss in revenue and rates alone amounted to £9OO, besides the building'of £IOOO. The loss in furniture, etc., amounted approximately to £ 100, making a serious loss of £2300. !he past council approved of the plans and called tenders, which thej present Council accepted at its first, meeting. The tenders varied from £9740 to £12,345. These were cutdown by £947 10s, and three days after the meeting, J. L. McMillan’s tender of £8792 10s was accepted. Thej

Architect's fees amounted to £490, j extras (approximately) £6O, gates £lO !ss, the furniture, fittings and shelves! bringing the total cost to £9359 ss. I The expenditure and liabilities amount- j ed to £10,064 I Is. money available' £9OOO, leaving a deficiency of £1750, i bringing the total amount to £10,750. i Ihe building contains four shops, a] large tea room, four offices upstairs, I and two offices downstairs. Alter j paying interest and sinking fund there j should be a profit of £3OO. Electric j heaters are installed .throughout thej molding, and the current will ho sup-1 plied at lid per unit. The building is one of the finest in the Taranaki | district, and •reflected great credit on 1 Lite architect CVlr J. I). Healy) and j Lite contractor (Mr J. Ij. .McMillan), they having done good, honest work.j it was to be hoped that other substantial buildings would be erected in ! Stratford. Messrs McMillan and Ered-, ric did the plumbing and electrical .work, the furniture and council tables jwere made by Mr Weston, of the Ex(celsior Eurnishing Coy, the council jciiairs by Messrs Evans and Ticltbon, the engineer’s furniture and four dozen chairs by Mr Garrett Wilson, and thcC gates by Messrs Me Ha in and Childs. - The whole work was done locally, and ( reflects great credit on the makers, j Continuing, the Mayor said that Strat-j ford having rich country around it, ! and a large tract of back country loadin;’: to if, would-no doubt continue to • 'row for a number of years. To a.

'great extent, its prosperity depended on making it clean and attractive, and he felt sure the Council had done nghc

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