STRATFORD DAY BY DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 117, 25 August 1910, Page 8

STRATFORD DAY BY DAY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Last Night. Though it is some time since the Domain Board and representatives of the Borough Council met, nothing has been done which will lead to the adoption of a progressive policy for the improvement of tho public grounds.' To the onlooker it seems that under, the existing circumstances and conditions there is very little prospect of Stratford possessing grounds which will 'be a source of pride to the residents and an attraction to visitors. The Domain Board can never' \ hope to achieve this desired end* because their revenue will not permit of the necessary expense being gone to. The Borough Council have the command of the "common purse," but from their ac- ' tions it may be taken that there is little chance of the Domain Board's funds being substantially augmented by any grant or subsidy. The 'Domain Board do not appear to regard with favor the suggestion that the Borough Council take over the domains, though municipal control would present the best solution of the problem, B.u.t in View of the fact that Council or Domain Board are, after a]l, only the trustees for the public, why should not the question be submitted to* the people for their opinion? H* the Council would say that they were eprepared to take over the domains and, by the medium of a poll, ask the ratepayers whether such a course was deemed desirable, there would be a greater chance of something final- being arrived at. It .would arouse public interest in an important question, the pros and cons, and u the merits and disadvantages, of municipal control could be thoroughly discussed j and if the public said, "Yes, we want the Council to tafce over the grounds;'we want to see them improved? , we desire to have them transformed into well-kept grounds; we wish that full advantage should be taken of endowments for public recreation and amusement," then the Council could approach the Domain Board with a great deal stronger case than they have now. Mr. E Henderson, who for several months has been in charge of the Land Department at the local branch of the iNew Zealand loan and Mercantile Agency Co., is leaving Stratford at the end of the month to take up a similar position in the Waikato. He will be succeeded by Mr. A. C. Bell, of Eltham. It is reported that as the outcome of certain remarks arising from the confer* ' ence between the representatives of the' * Borough Council and the Electric Light Co., legal proceedings are bein,-j instituted.

At the annual meeting of the Ratepayers' Association, held last night, tihe .'"'owing officers were elected: President, Mr. R. Masters; vice-presidents, Messrs. W. H. Robinson and C. D. Sole; committee, Messrs. H. J. Hopkins, C. B. Walsh, E. G. Poster, J. Petrie r W. V. Wilson, W. McDonald, ,R. B. Anderson; secretary, Mr. R. B. Anderson. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of £5 Os 6d. It was decided to request the Bailway Department to supply the-local station master" with "left pawel" tickets for sale to tradesmen for the convenience, of their customers. It was resolved to continue the information list on the same subscription as last year. Votes of thanks to the president, secretary and Mr; H. L. Betts concluded the meeting. Mr. J. Masters has ibeen appointed a member, of the executive of the A. and P: Association, vice Mr. E. A. Osmond, resigned. A meeting of the General Committee of the A. and P. Association will be held on Saturday, September 3. The tnree-yeair-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Maddenr is at present seriously ill in the Hospital, Two special prizes of a total value of seven guineas have been donated by Mr. J. Orchard, of Stratford, to tbe prize fund of the A. and P. Association;

Mr. S'. T. Evatt, inspector at the abattoirs, has received: notice of liia transfer to Blenheim. Mr. p; W. Wake has sold- his farm on the Stanley road to Mr. G, Keighley, of Stratford, and <has leased' his farm on the Kahouri road to Mr. Ewens, of Manigatoki. v Mr. G. Everjss, of the staff of Mr. Spence's drapery establishment, leave* on Saturday to take up a position in Palmerston, (North, with Messrs. Collinson and Cunningham. Football enthusiasts are beginning to wonder when the ill luck which is dogging the steps of the rep. team will, cease. First of all Taylor, the promising young Waimate wing; fells a victim to "flue," then Roberts a/lso) has to go to bed from the same cause; and lastly news reaches here that Pihi, as a' result of an accident, has (broken three ribs,, and will be an absentee from the amber and black forwards.

A number of local residents journeyedto Hawera to-day to attend the local football club's dance;