Stratford News.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 143, 13 December 1911, Page 3

Stratford News.

BOROUGH COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held on Monday evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. Musters) and Crs. T. Lawson, R. McK. Morison, J. D. llealy, J. W. Boon, J. McAllister, G. Sangster, X. J. King and Dr. T. L. Paget. BUILDING PERMITS. Mr. H. Wilson waited on the Council in regard to some alterations he was making to his premises in Broadway South, and the progress of which had been stopped by the Council's officer owing to neglect to obtain a permit. Mr. Wilson said lie was improving the property but did not look upon the work' as though it were new or permanent. It was quite temporary, and of such a nature that plans or specifications would be almost impossible. The fire risk would 'be lessened rather than increased. As soon as his neighbor would agree he would erect a brick wall and effect ■ very substantial improvements. Cr. King moved that a permit be granted.—Cr. Morison seconded, and this was carried, providing that the extension is carried out in iron. Cr. Healy moved that it be an instruction to the building inspector to take proceedings against any person erecting' a building in the borough without first obtaiiling a permit. At present the inspector, it seemed, had to chase round and get applications for permits. That was quite a wrong position. AN ANCIENT CULVERT. ■Mr. W. Johnston, manager of the Bank of Australasia at Stratford, wrote: "Referring to previous conversations and proposed alterations by the borough to culvert under bank premises, Broadway, the bank's architects, Atkins and Bacon, of Wellington, ask me to obtain , for them from the authority information as under: Exact position of culvert, depth, what portion in good solid ground, what portion otherwise, what portion drain and size, and the dates when the original and each subsequent work was done; also what needs to be done to ensure permanent stability and perfect sanitation." Councillors seemed to think this was a pretty tall order for the engineer, and it was decided that the overseer report 011 the amount of work required to j enable an answer to be given to the bank, and what would be the cost of obtaining the necessary information. > NEW STREETS. The committee set up to consider conditions under which new streets would require to be made delivered its report, recommending quarter-acre sections to new streets, with firtft frontage; streets to be straight and no blocks allowed at end of blind streets; minimum width of street, Otift, with 12ft footpaths, kerbed in concrete and with concrete channelling where required; roads to be metalled 12ft wide; levels subject to the approval of the Council; names of private streets subject to the approval! of the Council, etc. The committee recommended the Council not to agree to I the laying off of Mr. Porter's proposed new street unless the sections for the subdivision were in accordance with the first scheduled recommendation. Cr. King complimented the committee on the report. If its recommendations were adopted and adhered to the town : would 'be all the better for it. I The report was adopted. j THE ABATTOIRS. The abattoir manager (Mr. P. J. Sheridan) reported that the following stock had been slaughtered during the month:—62 cows, 10 heifers, 19 oxen, 6 calves, 243 sheep, 111 lambs, 35 pigs, and 56 tripes were prepared. Fees for the month were £57 3s 9d, paddock rent £2 10s. Animals condemned were: Cows, two wholly and four partially; heifers, two partially; sheep, two wholly and seven partially; pigs, one wholly and one partially. The Abattoirs Committee recommended that a bridge be erected in No. 1 paddock as requested by the manager. They could not recommend the intallation of an extension telephone to the abattoirs at present. Mr. B. Harkness' letter, offering to purchase, disused windmill at the abattoirs was referred to the Abattoirs Committee. DOG-TAX. The dog-tax was fixed as for last year: T 'i shillings for each greyhound, live shiDni''-: for each dog, with the exception of caitV dogs, as defined bv section 8, sub-section C of the Dog Registration Act, the charge for which would be 2s Cd per dog. Tenders for dog collars were received: M. Wilson and Co. fi%d per collar, M. Aagard fi l /;"'- The lower tender was accepted. PEA RIFLES. Cr. Healy moved that the attention of the police lie drawn to the reckless use of firearms by youths. Ho referred to the narrow escapes referred to in that morning's "News," and said the nuisance was becoming a menace. —Seconded' by Cr. King and, carried. ELECTRIC LTGIIT LOAN. A letter was read from Mr. E. W. Lowe, Resident Secretary in Wellington of the A.M.I'. Society, in reference to the Council's enquiry regarding a loan of £14,000 for the purpose of purchasing the electric lighting concern. The Council's letter bad been placed before the' directors, who were prepared to receive an application for a loan at 4% per cent., interest and principal payable in Sydney. The .Mayor moved that the letter be held over till some future date.

Cr. Paget moved us :tn amendment that, the letter lip referred to the Finance Committee to report upon. Else ivhat was the nse of having a Finance Committee'; Continuing, lie asked why this thing was to lie held up indefinitely. Was the great pro-Electric Light Company's parly on llie Council frightened to face the matter out. or were they waiting for the great Sidney Ward to return and hack them up? | The Mayor explained that at present j he was again negotiating with the State Guaranteed Advances Ollice. I Cr. Paget: 'Then why not out with lit? Why are we kept in the dark? I The. Ma yor: Well, you know now, I don't yon ? Cr. Paget: On whose anthoritv are you negotiating willi the Government? —On the committee's and my own. I don't think I'm wrong in keeping at the Government so long as there's a hope of getting the money from them more cheaply than from a private institution. Cr. Paget said that there was no committee empowered to carry on these negotiations, lie objected to business being carried on in this holc-aml-corner fashion. Why weren't the councilors told about itt

From Our Resident Reporter.

Cr. King: If Cr. Paget had been here last meeting he would have known all about it. Cr. Paget: Well, I couldn't be here at last meeting.! And 'I dare say many of you were glad I wasn't. Cr. King: I don't care whether you are here or not. Cr. King proceeded to raise a point of order, that the motion had been put and carried. Cr. Paget differed, and appealed to the chair. "Mr. Masters is in the chair," he said, "and is quite capable of conducting the meeting. Cr. King no doubt thinks he could fill it much better himself, and Cr. Lawson " Cr. King: You, too. You've tried to get there two or three times, and missed. The Mayor's motion was carried, and 31 division was taken amidst laughter, some councillors protesting against the waste of time and Cr. Paget declaring his intention and right to have his vote recorded. ABOUT A WATER SERVICE. Mr. E. Jackson wrote: "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your favor notifying me that the water will be laid on to my section on Pembroke road, rate to be charged £1 per annum. I aiji quite , willing to pay this amount if you would kindly explain to mc how it is that Mr. Masters, who has a property opposite mine, does not pay any rate at all. On inspecting the rate-book I find that it state# that there is no water laid on to Mr. Masters' property. This is incorrect.' I have personally inspected the property and find that the water is on to the wash-house as well as the dwelling-home. Further that the town water supply it laid on to the house occupied by Mr. Evans, and that no water rate is charged to the owner of the property. Hoping that you will look into this matter, and see that we are all treated alike." The Mayor explained that he owned a property as stated. He had instructed Messrs. Smart Brs. to lay the borough water on to the property, but didn't know if it had been done. He hadn't been charged with a water-rate, and, of course, had no intention of using the water without paying for it. The suggestion in the letter was quite unfair. The Town Cleric said the application came in during his predecessor's term. Opposite Mr. Masters' name in the ratehook were the words "cut off." He had had no knowledge that the rate was due. A notice would be sent out immediately. Mr. Jackson will be re-informed as to the amount to be charged for the water service. < MISCELLANEOUS. ' Mr. S. 11. James applied for a culvert in front of the cart-dock at Mb new warehouse in Regan street. He would pay the cost of a concrete culvert if the Council would put down concrete kerb and- channelling in front of the premises. —Held over. It was decided to extend the one-inch water main in Hamlet street, where new houses are being erected. Mr. W. A. (Hewitt, of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., wrote that the sale of the Council's reserves had been poorly attended. He considered the upset double the real value.—Th© Mayor said one had since been let at the upset, and there was an enquiry for another—Referred to the Reserves Committee. , , r! A LIVELY INTERLUDE. BOROUGH COUNCILLORS DIFFER. The monotony of a very dull meeting of the Borough Council on Monday night, was broken towards its close. As with most lively incidents at meetings of the kind, the affair came as a complete surprise to those present, and." it arose out of a most unoffending motion. Cr. Lawson had drawn the attention of the Council to the fact that a fence in Juliet street near the Toko railway crossing had been damaged by a motorcar on ejection day. It transpired tfyat the fence was the property of the Council, and Cr. Lawson wished to see it repaired as a protective measure. Cr. Paget said he would second Cr. Lawson's motion if he would add that instructions be given to the inspector to prosecute the driver of the car, a lad in the employ of Mr. Gooch, for smashing the fence. He said that he and others had watched the reckless driving of this car on show day and on election day, and he was not surprised to learn that it had met with an accident. The driving of motor-cars by reckless and unqualified drivers should be stopped. Cr. King said the thing was purely an accident. A tyre came off, and the car swerved against the fence. The owner had suffered enough hardship already without being prosecuted. Cr. Morison. with a quiet smile, said that he would support the motion as amended by Dr. Paget, if instructions were given to the inspector to prosecute a certain gentleman whose: car had bumped into an old man on a horse in Juliet street near Nurse Stronach's one dark night recently. Cr. Paget: He doesn't know what he's talking about. It's quite silly. It's just such a piece of stupidity as one would expect from Cr. Morison. Cr. Morison rose to a point of order, and a?ked that Cr. Paget be asked to withdraw the words just used. He said he was not going to be subjected to that sort of talk from Cr. Paget or anyone else.

The Mayor said he had not heard what Cr. Paget said, and asked 1 Cr. Morison for the exact words. If they were offensive they would- have to lie withdrawn. The incident proceeded merrily. Cr. Paget remarking that the statement made by Cr. Morison was untruthful. Cr. Morison retorted that Cr. Paget ivas the motorist, and that he ran against old Mr. Lilly and bruised the horse. He.didn't see why lie- was to submit to "rattle" of the kind from Cr. Paget.

| Cr. Paget said this was the sort of thing tlioy might expect from a man like Cr. Morison. '"Mr. Lilly was reading his horse. I was driving my car on the right side of the road, and a collision occurred between the car and Mr. Lilly's horse." Turning swiftly to Cr. Morison, he exclaimed, "You weren't there. I was. I protest against rt'oti bringing up private matters of this kind at the Council table. It is no business of yours, Morison, or of the Council's. Tf Lilly has a grievance let him take action. But for Cr. Morison to come here and make untruthful statements about me and bring] peisonal matters up is not gentlemanly nor is it honest," Cr. Morison: Were you gentlemanly to run away? Cr. 'Paget: F drdn't run away. 1 got out and spoke to the man. What? (in

reply to some remark by Cr. Morison). 1 diiVi-r. You're a call, sir. (')•. Kinu' jumped to his feet, and protested tlia L Cr. Pi'.yct had no right to make remark* like that or to say a fellow councillor had moved a silly resolution. Cr. Paget (warmly): I'm not going to be dictated to by Cr, King. Cr. King: You think you've got a right to insult other people. Why didn't you take your own gruel? Cr. Morison asked that Cr. Paget be requested to withdraw the remark about a cad. The Mayor, who now got his oar in for the first time, said he would ask that the remark be withdrawn, and also the remark that Cr. Morison was untruthful. Cr. Paget: I won't withdraw either. The Mayor: If you don't, then I shall I have to vacate the chair. Cr. Paget: No, I'll leave the room. Ityn not going to stay here and have lies told about me by Morison. Cr. Morison-, I'm not telling an untruth. I'm not in the habit of telling untruths. Cr. Paget: It is an untruth. The Mayor: I must ask you to withdraw that. Cr. Paget left his seat, saying, "I'm willing to leave the room, but I won't withdraw my statement. Neither will I withdraw the statement that Cr. Morison is a cad, because I believe he is." The Mayor remarked that Cr. Paget must withdraw his words before resuming his seat. They could not have this sort of language at the Council table. The Council settled down to general business. ; THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. IMPROVEMENTS SUGGESTED BY Dl!. PAGET.

The library, and the conduct of tlie library, are attracting more attention, just now than for some time past. The library committee is not particularly enthusiastic as a body. Some members of it declare they have never attended a meeting, and one member expressed genuine surprise when lie saw that a meeting had been held recently and a report presented to the Borough Council ] on Monday night. In this report the committee recommended closing the reading-room on Sundays, adding that on a recent Sunday some damage was done to one of the tables, and that the caretaker reported that on more than one occasion'he had found the lights oil after he had turned them off. The committee suggested that the Encyclopedia be placed in the library and notices printed to indicate that it was available on application to the town clerk. Cr. Paget, in moving the adoption of the report, said he would like to. move also that the Library Committee report on the advisability of extending the library and .employing a librarian? who would give the whole of his time to the work. As far as he could see tire library was now of a minimum amount of use, and ought to be ended' or mended. At present the clerk who acted as librarian did her best, but the' fact remained that she was the town clerk's assistant more than librarian. If one came for a book, the 'books were not always in their places on the shelves, which was perhaps the fault of the librarian. He thought the scope of the library might well be extended. He would move that the partition be extended across the reading-room, and that in the extension of the librarytables be placed for magazines. They should do away with the present bulky desks for newspapers, and place them' on hanging flies which one could use in contort in his chair instead of having to tire oneself out standing at the desks. Cr. Morison . gave the proposal his hearty support, especially in the matter of the appointment of a permanent, librarian, who would control both the library and the reading-room. Cr. King wondered whether the Conn-' cil could afford £SO or £IOO a year for the librarian's salary. Cr. Paget thought, £4O or £SO would] be sufficient. J The report was adopted, together I with Cr. Paget's addition. | It is worth mentioning that no one' discussed the Sunday closing proposals. Whether the course taken will be popular remains to be seen. FORESTRY. At the annual meeting of the Fores- '< ters' Court on Monday evening, the ! D.S.C.R., Bro. R. Fawc.ett, and the D.B. Bro. B. V. Kivell paid the court an of- ■ ficial visit, and installed the following 1 officers for the ensuing 'term: Chief ■ Ranger, Bro. E. F. Lau; Sub-Chief Ranger, Bro. C. L. Kirell; secretary, Bro. ft. Burgess; treasurer, Bro. E. H. Kivell; senior warden, Bro. C. Smith; senior bard, Bro. T. W. Hatcher; junior-, 1 warden, -Bro. R. Wood; junior bard, Bro. 1 R. Wellington; delegate to district meet- ' ing, Bro. W. Sullivan. The D.S.G'.R. in- 1 vested P.C.R. Bro. T. X. Payton with his 1 P.C.R. regalia. > THE PARISH HALL. 1 A monument to the energy of the vicar of Stratford and the enthusiasm ] of his co-workers exists in the fine 1 Parish Ilall which was opened in September' last by His Lordship Bishop Crossley. The idea of the hall was con- ' ceived by the Rev. W. A. Butler, who recognised the need not only for a parish hall as a hall, but also the need • for better accommodation of the pupils of the Sunday School. The idea was ■ taken up with the greatest enthusiasm. The property adjoining the church was purchased, and the hall erected on it, the main entrance being from the church ground. The hall was erected, at an approximate cost of £3BO, and so far about £230 hits been obtained from voluntary contributions, leaving a debt of about £1")0 on the building. It is a; eosv hall, and vevv convenient for tlie holding of such a function as today's sale of work in aid of the hall funds. hi l h:-. of course, the figure conspicuously, and the vicar has reason to be proud of the enthusiasm witli which lii-. p. '.>]>!<' have thrown linn!■.elves info Hi!'', scheme for the reduction'of the debt. The weather was unfavorable, but still there was a good attendance, and those who came to see remained to buy. Business was very good. There were 'he usual stalls, and sales were pu--hcd with startling persistency. Mr. .1. B. 11 M,P., performed the opening ceremony,' and. expressed his pleasure t hat. his-., lirsl public duty since, his re-election 'was in connection with the advancement of his church. The workers and stall-holders .were: Flowers, IMesdames Arden, Reader, Osmond, llobbs. Munro, . and .'Miss L. Reader; sweets, Mesdnmes VTilkie and Paget; fancy goods. Mrs. Hudson, Misses Seagull ae.d "Wort hin;;ioitproduce, Mesihuni's l'orri.t. F.h,Webb. Partridge and Stubbs: pin in sewing, Mesdames Crawshaw, (Irani, end. J. Tl. Robson; afternoon tea. Mesdames F. A. Tyrer, O. Ponn. T. :i. Pcnn. ,11. Kivell, Webster, Misses H. .l::;ei's and A, llignett; bran tub. Misses (l. Black and Joyce Munro > sheep-guessing, Mr. J. B. Richards. I

FIRE AT STRATHMORE. Eillicr iv.i Sunday night or early on Monday morning :> lire occurred at Rlralhmovo, ilfytroyinj! the residence of Mr, AV. 0. Thurston. owned by Mr. L -ac Hills. The insurances were in the 3 c=b ' . ■

. State Office, £245 oil the house, and £245 on the furniture. ) LAWN TENNIS. The three Stratford clubs will be engaged in intcr-ulub matches on Thurs- > day. The Stratford Club meets New Plymouth at Stratford. The home team- • will consist of Miss Black, Miss Fussell, ; Mrs. Paget, Miss Orbell, Miss D. Mackay, and Miss Wake, and I). Cameron, R. B. Anderson, V. Crawshaw, E. H. Young, F. N. Fussell, and W. D. Anderson. J St. Anderw's and W.Y.M.I. clubs will play a match on the W.Y.M.I. courts. The teams are as follows:—W.Y.JO.:Misses E. Maekay, E. BrayshawJ, (P. Petrie, M. O'Leary, and T. Marshall, B. V. Kivell, H. W. Douglas, J.T. Anderson, P. W. Wilson, and W. S. Syme. St, Andrew's: Misses H. Wilson, R. Everiss, E. Kin, I. Hooker and Dug Cameron, J. H. Thompson, G. Hunter, A. Jones, A. King, and J. Schofield. GENERAL NEWS. From time to time we hear complaints about the water supply in the borough. At Monday night's Council meeting Cr. Boon asked if the tunnel at the head of the waterworks was ever cleaned out, and, receiving an answer in the negative, went on to say that he understood there were some feet of fine black silt which was spoiling the water. He moved that the Works Committee be asked to report on the matter. The Mayor said he understood it was quite impossible to clean the tunnel out properly. The bed of the tunnel was a foot lower than the outlet pipe, and the result was that it silted up to that level, i What was required was a tunnel outlet to the river, as had been suggested by the overseer, and this should be included in any loan scheme brought forward. The only way of cleaning the tunnel now was 'by stirring up this silt and allowing the muddy water to' run off. He quite agreed that the tunnel I was badly in need of cleaning out. The j overseer (Mr. Sullivan) remarked that it would be a risky thing to put men in | the tunnel with the river in its present j state. The motion was carried. One of the regular canine frequenters of Broadway got under the wheel of a gig on Monday afternoon. He mad? a tremendous yelping promise to keep out of the way in future. The barking dog is a real nuisance in our principal street, j Overhanging trees, shaggy fences, and j barbed-wire fences which encroach on | footpaths are annoying pedestrians. The Borough Council has instructed its inspector to see that these cease without delay. The Borough Council's offices will be closed for a fortnight from Saturday 1 ; December 23. The borough workmen's holidays will be arranged 'by the overseer. > The Mayor of Stratford, Mr. Jonas Masters, was quietly married at his residence, Broadway North, to Mrs. Longmans this afternoon. The Rev. C. C. Harrison was the officiating minister, SOCIAL NEWS. Mrs, Leslie Lawrence entertained a few friends at the "Medina" rooms at afternoon tea on Saturday afternoon. Mrs. Lawrence was wearing a tailored costume of green Harris tweed, with cream vest, with a hat of burnt straw, trimmed with flowers and black ribbon velvet. Amongst those present were: Mesdames Penn, Chenchen, Tyrer, John- ' stone and Miss O'Brien. Despite the very heavy rain on Saturday morning* which did not clear until about 11 o'clock, the croquet court was perfectly tit. for play in the afternoon, and a fair number of ladies were j present . 'Mrs. L. Riera provided after-: noon tea, which was much appreciated. Mrs. W. H. Young has returned from . a visit to Wanganui. J Miss O'Brien leaves for Sydney shortly- ' Mr. and Mrs. 'Uniacke are expected to arrive in Stratford for Christmas. ,Miss Randolph, of Palmerston Xorth, is visiting Stratford and ie the guest 1 of Mr. and Mrs. Rennell, Cordelia street. I Mrs. Hogg, • of Midhirst, accompanied by Master -Bob. Hogg, will leave for ( Melbourne next month, where Master Bob will enter college at the beginning of the new term. The annual scnooi concert takes place on Thursday in the Town Hall, and the Stratford Operatic Society, under the able management of 'Mr. G. Bond and Dr. Catbery, will reproduce "Trial by Jury," which was such an unqualified success a short time back. A bumper house is anticipated. j

A NEW BUSINESS. Mr. Jas. Morey, of the progressive firm of Messrs. Morey and Son, drapers and milliners, in New Plymouth, has been paying Stratford a good deal of attention lately. To-day his visits culminated in his securing a lengthy lease of a couple of fine shops in Broadway from Mr. J. Brayshaw. These are to be altered and made into one complete establishment for drapery and millinery. The alterations and fittings should be completed to enable Messrs. Morey and Son to open early in January.