STRATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 91, 14 November 1916, Page 7

STRATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL.

I MONTHLY MEETING. * The following councillors were present at last night’s mee'ing. His. Worship the Mayor (Mr J. W. Boon) and Crs A. J. Davey, C. B. Walsh, S. B. Hunter. T, Lawson, J. H. Thompson, A. D. Stanley, K. S. Ruthorlurd, and W. H. He Young. SHOOTING ON SUNDAYS. j Kev. Tinsley (Methodist Church) wrote stating that the question of Sunday shooting practices came up In,, discussion at the quarterly meeting of the Churcii, and stating that there was reason to believe these practices took place within the Borough or on a fenced-in road forming the boundary of the borough. They desire to draw attention to this “real source of annoyance to those living in the immediate vicinity, who regard the Sabbath a, s the lord’s Day.” Resolved on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr Hunter, “That the Town Clerk write to the Stratford Gun Club informing them that this Council considers it would be iu the best interests of the majority of the citizens of Stratford if Sunday shooting practice were discontinued, as at present if is ,an annoyance to a large number of citizens, especially those with children living in that locality. t REQUESTS TOR ELECTRICITY* j A petition was presented from a number of residents of Warwick Road requesting the Council to extend the electric lines to their residences. The names of the petitioners' and the number of lights each would iustal were as follows; H. M. Silk 6. L. V. Rogers 7, G. W. Pratt 7, W. Swann 0, j Bones, T. F. Richardson 5, K. Rowe 4, W. M. Croot 5, W. H. Bennett 4. A similar request was received from the following residents on Flint Road; H. Kenny, C. Iff. Birkett. W. Nielson, and (). Jans. Referred to the Lighting Committee to bring down a report on, the advisability of putting in the extensions. MORE LIGHT. i Cr Lawson asked the reason why the lights had been out so long in Orlando and north Juliet streets. Also ii the Council had to pay the cost of repairs, as the lights were out before Hie Council took over the lines. It was reported that the lines were still intact, but some of them were weak. The Hines wore practically given in on the transfer of the plant. Another reason was that the Company viViv also shovthanded at the time.

y,i- Newton said the lines were not in a condition to do anything with. At present they would only ioui other wires, and until the line was rebuilt, nothing could be done, due. Company was short of four hands, and no amount of enquiries could get any more labour. Strange to say, however, the staff was now full, it was the intention of the stall' to put them in order as soon as possible, Cr Lawson thanked Mr Newton for his explanation, Tint moved that the work be put in hand immediately. Cr Young objected, stating that Cr Lawson got famed in the, papers for little things like that. Cr Lawson: It is not a little matter !

Tim Mayor said he was intent on getting the lines fixed up for some time, but the Council could not force the Company to do the work. The motion lapsed. ' The Mayor said it would be advisable for the Engineer to report at next meeting as to general improvements in the electric light plant and street lighting of Broadway; also as to those houses which had no metres. | Mr Newton stated that there were about GO houses without metres, in some cases the Company had gained 'thereby, and on others there had been a loss, and it just about balanced. He favored metres being put in. but the trouble was to obtain them.

THE LIBRARY. A communication from the Education Department informed the Council that as the grants for libraries applied only to those not situated in borough O!' town district with a population not exceeding 1000, the 'Stratford Library was not eligible for participation in the subsidy.

( On the motion of Cr Lawson, seconded by Cr H’nntcr, it was resolved, to eommunieate with all Taranaki newspapers enquiring it they were prepared to supply a paper to the Reading Room free; il not, that the. supply be discontinued. *

j On (Jr Thompson’s motion, seconded by Cr Davey, it was resolved that the Library Committee consider the question of adding extra suitable English illustrated journals in the Reading Room. REGULATION OF TRAFFIC. Cr Thompson expressed the opinion that there should be some regulation with regard to traffic. On Saturdays, Broadway was littered with all kinds of vehicles, and there should he some control by the Council in ease of accident. What was' necessary was a regulation as to traffic by the Coun-

ihe motion of Cr Thompson, , : ,,iided by Cr Davey, it was resolved

to ask the police to take special pro- I cautions against furious driving in j Broadway on Show and Race days. I The mover spoke strongly on the mat - j tor, expressing his surprise that no j serious accident had happened in the j ■ past. WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT. The report read as follows: : Proposed Fenton Street Path, north I side, between Orlando and Cordelia Street. The estimate for forming am

gravelling a path in this locality is £o2 os. In view of the estimated cost, your committee cahoot recommend the work to be done. &

Collection of Rubbish. We have considered this question, and do not consider the time opportune to extend tins work beyond its present limits. ENGINEER’S REPORT. Mr Sullivan reported on the progress of works for the past month as follows: Grass edges have been removed from the following footpaths—-Broad-way south. Romeo street, Hamlet, Miranda. Juliet, Portia, Page, and Celia stress. A six-inch concrete pipe culvert has been put in on Opunake Road at its junction with Portia street. Two twelve foot culverts had been inserted under footpaths, viz: One opposite Convent, Miranda street, ami one at corner of Opunake Road and Portia street.

Crossings had been made to the following properties; Mr Alger s. Orlando street. Burkett’s motor shed, Broadway south, and Convent School

grounds. The footpath opposite Messrs Wright and Lawrence’s office, Fenton street, had been filled in and gravelled.

Metal patching had been done on Broadway north and south, Juliet and Regan streets.

One thousand and twenty-four yards of shingle have been crushed. The crushing plant had been set up ou the Flint Road where crushing operations commenced. The work of repairing fj roadway north will he put in hand immediately after the Flint Road metalling was completed.

As one of the Borough horses was laid up at present, it will be necessary to secure one as soon as passible. A, set of Pickering Governors was required for the engine, estimated cost £B. Three water services have been put in during the month. Twenty-three permits under Solitary By-laws had been issued during the month. The report was adopted, with the addition that the Committee be empowered to hire or purchase a suitable horse if required. RESERVES COMMITTEE’S REPORT The Committee reported as follows Mr G. T. Walters wrote offering to lease the vacant- shop on the south side of the Municipal Buildings at the upset rental, providod the Council reimbursed liimytlu’ edst 'ol the fixtures up to £35, the fixtures to he the property of tiie CounciL-a-The Committee, decided to accept the offer, and asked the Council to confirm its action. ,

On behalf of Mr Lonergan, Mr W. W. Hodge wrote offering to take the lease of the four upstairs rooms at £1 Ids per week, provided the Council put in a water service. The Goun-

cil has no power to grant this request as the sum mentioned is under the upset price. The Committee authorised the Town Clerk to advise .Mr Hodge that the request could not lie granted. The question of seating accommodation for the .Municipal Chambers was considered, and as there is still a dozen chairs to come from Mr Wilsqn, your Committee considers the number of chairs is ample. The Inspector for the Fire underwriters Association has written pointing out certain defects in the Electric Light installation of the Municipal Buildings.—Your committee beg to recommend that the Council ask the Contractor to give effect to the Inspector's instructions. We beg to recommend as follows: — That a new photograph of Eric Mnitli who lost his life in the Boer War, be hung in the Heading Boom. That Council’s tenants he notified to cut noxious weeds on the properties leased 'Oy them.

LIBRARY COMMITTEE’S REPORT

The committee recommended that the arrangement made with A. Wilson and Co. to supply books for Library be cancelled. On the motion of Cr. Rutherford the report was adopted, it being understood that the purchase of hooks be referred to a selection committee. THE ABATTOIRS. Committee recommended that bridge be built across stream in No. 4 padclock similar to one in No. 3 at an estimated cost of £7 10s; that NTr Spilman’s action re obtaining fuel for abattoir be confirmed; and that Mr Spilman’s salary bo increased by £lO. THE BAND. Cr. Ruthcrfurd reported on behalf of the Band Committee, that Mr T. Marshall, the bandmaster, had resigned, and Mr Goodwin Ford hud been appointed in his place. The subsidy from the Council was £25 a year which represented the salary for the bandmaster. Cr. Ruthcrfurd mentioned that there were about n dozen juvenile players. The Mayor mentioned that the payment of £25 "by the Council was conditional on certain public performances being given. Cr. Lawson said that the late bandmaster hoped to have the juveniles giving a performance by Christmas and he believed it might be possible for the new bandmaster to arrange this.

INCREASED REMUNERATION. The application of the Borough workmen for an increase of Is a day was granted by way of a war bonus, during the duration of the war. Resolutions relative to the appointment of the Electric Light staff were passed, and a schedule of salaries was adopted. Mr W. J, Newton was appointed Electrical Engineer at a salary of £3OO per annum, the Engineer to, provide his own conveyance, motor spirit, etc,; The Town Clerk was voted an extra payment of £2O for his valuable services in connection with the acquisition of the Electric ■ Light ingMr C. Hyndman (assistant clerk) was granted an increase in his salary of £ls per annum. GENERAL. ,i> ; ' y.u , It was resolved that owing to the high cost of coal, tw6 K trucks he secured by the Council at once. A resolution was passed endorsing the transfer of the lease from Webster, Dobson and Co. to the Farmers' Co-operative Organisation . Society, Ltd.

Town Hall was grafted for “Red Cross Concert” on October 17 subject to the sum of 10s being paid for lighting. E. C., Robinson, C.E., Stratford, offered to supply a map of the Borough similar to the one submitted to him for thesum of £3l.—Left over until next meeting. The butchers of Stratford asked for an alteration in the yarding of stock at the abattoirs prior to killing as the stock suffered in consequence.—-Re-ferred to the Abattoirs Committee 'with power to act. , Edward Mason, Stratford, wrote drawing the attention to the “disgraceful condition” of the crossing and footpath leading to his residence in Regan Street.- —Referred to the Works Committee with power to act,

W. Rowson applied for the use of the telephone on to his house as a fireman and offering to pay half cost if allowed to use it for his business. to the Fire Brigade Committee to report at next meeting. The Mayor’s notice of motion to rescind a previous resolution regarding the payment of their workmen for certain enumerated holidays was carried, and in future the men will hoi paid only for the statutory holidays during the year. (Cr. Walsh moved that residents on application to the Town Clerk he alloyed to tether stock on by-streets for grazing. During the flush op grass there would be no harm done,j and it would bo a benefit to manyj families.—lt was resolved that tliO| matter ho reported on by next meeting.

Cr. Thompson moved, and Cr. Young seconded, that the Engineer ho instructed to make tho necessary repairs at the head waterworks as soon as possible. It was also resolved that the Engineer report as to the cost of building a permanent weir. It was agreed that arrangements he made for those Councillors who so desire to visit the waterworks and tho weir so as to better understand the, nature of tho supply. ! The Post Office Authorities forward-

eel a statement of the revenue and ex-

penditure at the Potaema (Stratford Mountain House) telephone office lor the year ended August 31, 1916, showing a deficiency of £2l 6s Id on the working of the office, and requesting payment of £6 10s, being the amount due by the guarantors.—The Council agreed to the payment of one-third of the deficiency as agreed to on the telephone service being instituted. George Hall, Stratford, wrote drawing, attention to the fact that the Railway Department had two 12in. pipes under an embankment carrying water which came from an 18in. pipe through his property and the street, the consequence being that the water banked up and caused damage to his property and also to the street. The trouble was repeated with every heavy downfall of rain.—Referred to Works Committee to report. The County Ranger asked the Council to alter tiie entrance to the pound as it was very inconvenient and great trouble was experienced in pounding stock.—lt was resolved that the whole matter relating to the pound be referred to the Works Committee. Cr. Lawson (depressed the opinion that as the County Council used the pound a great deal, he thought the County should contribute something towards the cost. It was reported that the Council and the poundkeeper divided the poundage fees.

A petition from On Kee, John Rivett, Dong Chong,'Ah Ping, D. Graham (fruiterers), E. S. Asplund (fishmonger), S. J. Pivac, D. Sisarich (restaurant-keepers), I. A. Harvey, D. Beaumont, A. Russ (confectioners), and M. Kerr (baker) was presented to the Stratford Borough Council last night praying that their shops he exempted from the provisions of the existing requisition “fixing the closing hours of all shops except tobacconists and hairdressers.” —Resolved that the clerk certify to the genuineness of tlie application in compliance with the law.

It was resolved to refer the question of by-laws and regulations relating to the Electric Light undertaking to the Electric Light Committee.