Our Stratford Page

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 212, 6 March 1912, Page 3

Our Stratford Page

I Stratford, Tuesday.

"THE GOLD STAR." EX-CAPTAIN KIVELL. GAINS DISTINCTION. Private advice was received in Stratford to-day that the United Fire Brigades' Association's gold star was to be presented to Fireman E. H. Kivell ia recognition of twenty-five years' service. Congratulations to our old-time skip- j r per upon having achieved this topmost " distinctioif. Mr. Kivell first 1 started fire-fighting in 1883, when he joined the Hawera Fire j Brigade. He speedily rose from th# ' ranks, was foreman, and afterwards captain. Moving to New Plymouth, he had to climb the ladder again, but his enthusiasm and undoubted ability soon placed him in the position of second lieutenant, which office he held at the time of his removal to Stratford. His arrival was bailed with the greatest satisfaction by some prominent townsmen who 1 had been giving the matter of fire prevention some attention. Foremost amongst these was Mr. Chas. Curtis. A brigade was formed and equipped, Mr. Curtis proving absolutely invaluable, for he it was upon whom the brigade depended for advice and financial assist- 1 ance. The Land Board was approached, and the section on which the fire brigade station now stands, and that opposite the Courthouse, where the south firebell is erected, were handed over as fire brigade reserves. The ambition of the brigade, and its enterprise, must have been remarkable, for presently a fire brigade station was erected at a cost of £330. It was a hall, too, and when the old town hall went up in smoke the brigade's little hall was in great request for dancing and other forms of entertainment. The brigade took some financing in those days, for it was not a municipally aided concern. By-and-by the borough went in for a high-pressure water supply. The I brigade's old manual engine was no longer of service. But how was the brigade to finance the purchase of mod- ■ em plant? Arrangements were' made , by which the Borough Council took over the brigade's assets, and a liability of j £6B on the buildings, and undertook, to , find the necessary plant. It was now a , municipal fire brigade. Mr. Kivell, who' ; was first lieutenant at the inception of ] the brigade, had long since been promoted to the captaincy, and right worth- < ilv he held the position for fourteen ' 1 years, during the latter portion of j 1 which the round of 'gaieties for the rais- I ing of funds was capped by the great . annual children's festival and a monster "grand band "bazaar," in all of { which Mrs. Kivell waS the indomitable moving spirit. Of ex-Captain Kivell's 0 original colleagues there remain but two x in the brigade—Lieutenant Kowson and Fireman Crossan. Mr. Kivell held the ■'l captaincy for fourteen . years, and was j succeeded by the present captain, Mr. I T. G. Grubb. The coveted gold star is i now earned. It has to be presented pub- s licly. It is an acknowledgment of 25 y years of voluntary service for the benefit V of the town, and 25 years of service involving at times great risk of life and ? limb. The fireman's life is a precarious ! one, and he receives nothing for taking . the risk, except the "bars" which mark 1 his years of service, and when a quarter [ of a century has been served there is ] _ the gold star. It is a distinction which I J has to be earned. It cannot be bought. *~ It is an honorable distinction, and it is C , to be hoped that the citizens will see in the conferring of it a recognition of ® long and faithful service. c

THE TERRITORIALS. CHANGE OF DATE OF ENCAMPMENT. When the territorial scheme was launched, and it was announced by Major-Gen era 1 Godley that camps and* parades would always be arranged, if possible, so as to cause the least inconvenience to members of the forces, there were knowing ones who said, "That's all right now, but wait till the scheme has been working a few months; they'll pull the rein pretty tightly." The heads of the Defence Department have from time to time repeated the policy enunciated by the General, and we have seen many instances of its being put into effect. Hire,is..an.o.ther...Learning that the proppsal to hold the camp of the 11th Regiment (Tarnnaki Rifles) at the latter end of March was likely to inconvenience many of the men, "owing to the halfyearly balance of the banks at thaitime, the fact that the milking season will not yet have ended, and, .further, that the suggested dates fell during the Lenten season, Captain Lampen, Adjutant, made representations to headquarters with a view of endeavoring to obtain fresh dates. Accordingly it has been decided to go into camp towards the middle of April. It is worth while to mention again that in addition to good, useful work it is hoped give the men good recreation in camp. The wrestling championship of the regiment is likely to be keenly fought out, and teams are in training for the inter-company tug-o'-war. A cup will be presented for the wrestling championship, but whence its course and what the conditions 1 am not at liberty to disclose.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There isn't any necessity to repeat the storv of Hip great success of "The Double Event'' picture. There will be a series of new pictures on Wednesday, and the usual grand change of programme on Thursday. Tho capital orchestra goes far to make, this picture entertainment the treat that it is. HOSPITAL BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. At the Hospital Board meeting to-day there were present: Messrs. E. Marfell (chairman). ,T. McAllister, W. Eogers and J. Cliristoffel. SANITARY INSPECTOR'S REPORT. ! The sanitary inspector (Mr. A. Gray) reported that one case of puerperal fever had been notified in the Stratford forjough. The patient had recovered, and 1 the premises had been disinfected. One case of scarlet fever was also notified, the patient having been removed to the Hawera Hospital. Nuisances in connection with a local Chinaman's and a local butcher's shops had been abated by eonnections with the drainage system. A I new trough had been provided for washing fish at n fish shop, but nothing had yet been done re concreting the i yard. Acting under instructions from the district health officer, a report was made to him re water supply and sewI wage. Loaves were purchased from two

* * * From Our Resident Reporter. * * Office: No. 3, York Chambers, Stratford- . * * * *************-ft**************,!,*,!,

bakers, who had been previously warned by the district health officer for selling short-weight bread, and weighed. In both cases the bread was full weight. Four butchers' shops were inspected and found to be in good order^ MEDICAL REPORT. The medical superintendent, Dr. W. Steven, reported that there were six patients at the beginning of the month, eleven wore admitted during that period, and one died. Five operations were performed under anaesthetics. The visiting committee's report, touching on several minor matters, was rsceived. HOSPITAL BOARD S POWERS. CROWN LAW OFFICERS' OPINION. SOMETHING TO STUDY.

Local authorities and hospital boards have been endeavoring for months past to ascertain their position under the new hospital legislation in regard to sanitation and sanitary inspection. The Stratford Hospital Board is in receipt of the followin letter from the Department of Public Health, under date February 22 last:— "RE POSITION OF HOSPITAL BOARD RE SANITARY INSPECTION.

"The opinions obtained from ihe Crown law officers enable me to put the position before your Board as follows :

"Infectious Diseases.—Section 5 of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Act,, 1910, makes the Stratford Hospital Board the only local authority throughout its district responsible for the prevention of infectious diseases (see references to local authority,' sections 15 to 33 of the Public Health .Act, 1908, for scope of Board's powers).

"Appointment'.of Officer.—Your Board' may (a) contribute to the salary of an inspector appointed under the Public Health Act (see'section 94). or (b) under section 33 of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act', 1909, appoint a servant'to assist in the execution of the Act. The "Board, however, has no power to appoint such servant an inspector under the Public' Health Act, as this can qnly be done by 'the 'Governor (see section' O)!' The 'former r course is that already adopted by your Board.

"Adminisjratipn of Public Health Act; Sanitary Inspection—Any local author-' ity 'in your Board's district in' this regard may do either of two things: (a) Take advantage of sectjon 83 of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, or take advantage of section 94 »f the Public Health Act, 1908. By (a) course, any local authority may combine with- another local authority'and delegate such .powers to the Hospital Board as the combined bodies 'consent' to under the provisions; of section 83 of the Hospitals- and " Charitable ■ Institutions Act, 1909, the amount for which any such local authority is liable being a matter for mutual agreement with the hospital board. 'Having in view the facts that in country'districts the need for sanitary attention must necessarily be less than in towns, and that the contribution by way'of'levy of county councils is already very considerable, my depart-, ment recommends, as. it. has to other \ boards, that your .-Board should agree to ' a nominal amount (say £1 Is) for the giving of the services of your officer to county councils under the provisions of this section. Attached hereto are 'consent' forms suggested to be used by the Stratford and Whangamomona N county councils. It is not anticipated that the Stratford .Borough Council will be ready to delegate any of its powers under the Public Health Act td your Board, but it may be that it may elect to accept the alternative, (1>). Under (b) any local authority- may, instead of appointing its own sanitary.inspector (inspector of nuisances), desire to make use of the services of the Board's officer, and yet retain to itself control of such officer while he is carrying out the duties for which that -local authority seeks his services. This had been found a good practice in, the smaller boroughs, whict cannot af- 1 tord to pay the whole salary of a well qualified inspector of nuisances, or where the work to be done could not occupy the whole time of such an. officer,-• It'may be, then, tlutt the' Stratford 'Borough Council would be willing to pay, say, £2O per annum to your Board for such services. No subsidy would be payable in respect to any sum received for this purpose. In this event it lmyrt be clearly understood that, beyond lending the officer, your Board would have no concern in the administration of the Strat-, ford sanitary affairs; nor to me does it seem desirable that it should be otherwise where the Municipal Act is in force in addition to the Public Health Act. Scope of Board's Powers (direct or through inspector).—Sanitary by-laws: Should the local authorities in your district decline to accept either procedure, (a) or (b), your Board will have no concern with sanitary matters in your district. Should nuisances or other sanitary defects be noted by your inspector in his infectious disease's work, it would remain only for your Board to forward his recommendation or requisition to the local authority concerned, and leave it to see that such was carried out; nor would it be the duty of your Board to either make or see to the enforcement of by-laws in regard to sanitation. On the other hand, if the Stratford and Whangamomoim counties 'consent' to delegate their powers to voiir Board, procedure (a), then all sanitary work specified in the sections delegated must' be effected by your Board, 'and it be- ■ comes the duty of your Board to make and enforce by-laws under the Public Health Acts. Further, any bv-laws which may have been made by the contributing local authorities prior to the issuing of the Order-in-Council cease to be operative. If the Stratford Borough Council agree to pay for the services of your officer, procedure (b), your Board lends the ollicer. and ho is dealt with by the Borough Council as if he were its own officer as regards the administration of sanitary matters and the borough bylaws concerned therewith. , Steps will be taken to secure without delav the necessary Order-in-Council, if such be decided upon.—T hav. etc., JOS. P. FRENGLEY, Medical Secretary." Copies of the letter will bo forwarded to the local authorities concerned, and the matter will come up for discussion at next meeting of the Board.

SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE. A well attended meeting was held tonight (Tuesday), presided over by Mr P. Skoglund, to form a branch in Stratford of the Sports Protection League. Mr. Jas. McNaught, organiser, addressed

i j the meeting, explaining the objects of the league, and emphasising that it was : j trot connected in any way with the trade, j nor was it formed solely in the interests of racing, but, in the interests of all 1 6ports, and to prevent undue enoroa«iment on the liberty and privileges of sport-loving people by a certain section of the public. It was decided to form a branch," and the committee .was authorised to form sub branches at Whangamomona, Strathmore and other places in the district. The election of patron was held over, Mr. Hine's name being proposed, but withdrawn for the time, a*. some of the speakers said that he had expressed hostility to the totalisator. President, Dr. Paget; vice-presidents, Messrs. W. P. Kirkwood (A. and P. A.), F. A. Tyrer (Stratford District High I School), J. R. Stanford (golf), N. F. ( Dunlop (cricket), D. J. Malone (Rugby ) football), S.Clark (Association'football), ; E. B. .Stohr (swimming), G. Jackson (bowling), F. Nl Fussell (tennis), A. W. ] Budge (racing), W. D. Anderson (hockey), T. G. Grubb (Fire Brigade), T. Marshall (Brass Band), W. J. Morrison (Gun Club and Acclimatisation), Campbell Jackson (Stratford Rifle Club), R. Dingle (Croquet Club), 'and P. Skoglund (wrestling and boxing). The president and vice-presidents are to select an active [, working committee.. Mr. N. F. Dunlop | was appointed secretary.

COMMERCIAL. ■ . i r C ■ NEWTON KING'S WEEKLY REPORT.

At the Haymarket oil (Saturday there was a fair attendance, but only a mod-i erate yarding of pigs came forward. Prices ruling were about pas with last sale, except heavy sorts, for which there was a good enquiry. I quote slips andi weaners lis 6d to 16s fld, small, and meaners lis 6d t' olOs 6d, small and. backward sorts «s Cd to 7s 6d, small stores 19s to £1 8s 6d, medium porkers £2 Is to £2 ss, boars £2 103. Gigs £1 17s Gd to ffi ss. Quantity of chaff and , sundries ni usual rates.

Poultry.—A fair entry of birds came to hand, and met with good competition. Roosters Is to Is 4d, hens Is 9d, cocks lOd, ducks Is 6d to Is lOd, geese 3s. '

Vegetables and Fruit.—Cauliflowers 2s 3d doz., rhubarb 5s doz., potatoes '6s 6d to 7s 6d cwt, onions 2d lb. About 1000 cases assorted fruit came to hand during the week, prices ruling, if anything, being a little harder than previous week. Plums, Satsuma 2s 9d to 3s 6d, prune 2s to 2s 9d/ greengage 3s 3d to 3s 6d, Ponds seedling 2s to 2s Od, Takapuna drop Is 9d to 3s, Magnum Bonum 2s 6d; peaches, No. 1 3s 9d to 4s, No. 2 2s 9d to 3s 6d; pears, W.B. 4s to 5s 6d, other sorts 3s to 8s Od; tomatoes, 4s 6d to 6s Cd; apples, dessert 25.6 d to ss, cooking 2s to 4s, lemons 2s 6d, according to size of cases and quality. ■Furniture, etc., sold well.

' GENERAL MEWS. I-understand that Miss Butler, of the Stratford District High School staff, has accepted an appointment to the staff of the Blenheim High School. Stratford and Hawera bowlers meet to-morrow (Wednesday) on the local green. W. P. Mark left Stratford this morning for the north, and will be away for about.a month. The action of the Hospital Board in deciding to prosecute its debtors who are in a position to pay their long overdue fees is having its effect. "It's not fair to ask the ratepayers to work from four o'clock in the morning till seven o'clock at night in the cowSheds to provide a tennis court at the hospital." So said Mr. J. Christoffel at to-day's meeting of the Hospital Board in opposing a motion by Mr. McAllister that the Board should purchase nets, posts, marker, etc., with a view of making the lawn at the hospital available as a tennis court ■ for the staff. He pointed out that the former board had spent a good deal of money in making a lovely lawn, and to leave it at.that was like a man refusing to buy a belt to drive a machine which he had first bought at a big price. Whilst not objecting to the nurses playing tennis, Messrs. Ma if ell and Christoffel were opposed to paying for tennis material out of the general account, holding that it was not for such things that the hospital rate was collected. Mr. Rogers thought it only sensible to provide the equipment after having made the lawn. The chairman thought the lawn was laid down without touching the general account, but he was corrected on this point. Mr. McAllister, replying, made the point that the smaller boards bad to do everything in their power to make the hospital attractive to the nurses, else the bigger hospitals would draw them away. The motion was withdrawn, but Mr. McAllister got half-way by taking a halfsovereign from each member, adding a similar amount himself. He undertook to gather in the rest required. Mr. C. J. Reakes, Chief Government Veterinarn, was a passenger from Wellington to-night.

Mr. J. W- McMillan returned to-night from a holiday trip to Dunedin.