Our Stratford Page

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 217, 12 March 1912, Page 3

Our Stratford Page

Stratford, Monday.

STRATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Borough Council was held this evening. There were present, Councillors N. J. King (deputy-Mayor) in the chair. T. Lawson, R. McK. Moriaon, J v D. Healy, S. Ward, J. Boon, J. McAlister, T. L. Paget and G. Sangster. ROAD ROLLER. The councillors wlo visited the road rollers on March 1, 1012, reported:—On Friday, March . 1, we inspected the road rollers and traction engine belonging to the Eltha,m County Council which were working on the Eltham-Kaponga' roads, and the combined road roller and traction engine at Mahaia. We have to thank both,bodies and their foremen and engine-drivers for their courtesy in affording us the fullest possible information of the subject. The foreman and driver of the Eltham County engines, one of which is an Aveling and Porter road roller, and the other a Fowler convertible roller and traction engine, were emphatic in their opinion that for road work, i.e., rolling and scarifying, there is no advantage in a convertible engine. The Aveling and Porter engine, with a t Morrison scarifier, they state is easily turned, and can in short lengths be used both 'backwards and forwards. The Fowler , convertible they only jxse as a roller, and are of, ojpinion that the time taken up in converting, probably a day for each conversion, would be entirely wasted. The foreman and engine-driver of the Manaia County engine—a McLaren—volunteered .the opinion, without any leading question that it would be a waste of time to convert for borough road uSe. He stated that the reason they required a roller convertible to a traction engine is that they have to take it long distances to use for hauling a grader, and the roller is unsuitable for crossing unbridged rivers, it having been { already once broken in doing so. Th» engine-driver stated that it was a little quicker to scarify with the engine as a traction engine, but that the time taken : up in converting, viz., four hours, would not be worth while spending for the time saved in scarifying. The time for full j conversion, i.e-., removing hind, driving rollers and part steering roller and replacing with traction driving wheels, part steering wheels and scarifier, we gathered would take more than a full day's work for two or three men. It therefore becomes evident that unless it j is established that the extra cost 'of getting, a roller convertible to a traction is worth while for quite other purposes than scarifying and rolling, that the extra cost, about £lls, would be quite wasted. It is difficult for us to express an opinion upon the merits of different engines, but the solid appearance and excellent reports of the Aveling and Porter leads us to consider that the! council could not do better than' select | this make unless cost is materially j more. The Eltham County foreman and ' Mr. Basham, their engineer, are both of opinion that it is in «verv way satisfactory, but recommend a fully canopy,isith canvas curtains, as a protection against the weather, the cost of which we understand would be between £ls and £°o THE ABATTOIRS. The abattoir manager reported on the working of the abattoir during the past month. The following stock were slaughtered:—GO cows, 18 heifers, 4 > oxen, 8 calves, 243 sheep, 101 lambs, 31 I pigs, 32' tripes cleaned. Fees for the month, £52 12s 9d. .Stock condemned: Cows, 3 wholly condemned and 5 partially; pigs, ] partially; sheep, 1 wholly, and 2 partially. According to instructions from the Boiler Inspector, the plate found the manhole in the boiler has been taken off and, cleaned. The flood which happened some time ago, besides washing the bridges away, deposited a large quantity of timber'of all descriptions in the south-cast corner of the abattoir property. He would be pleased to have permission to get a man to clear ; t away and burn as much as possible. A great many posts in the fences all over the abattoir property had broken off just above the ground. He recommended that totara posts be put in in future. The telephone in the abattoir was in a position where it was very difficult to hear when the slightest wind was blowing, and he would be pleased if it could be moved into a more sheltered and convenient position. OVERSEER'S REPORT.

The overseer, Mr. T. Sullivan, reported that durinjr the month loose stones had been raked off the various • streets. Noxious weeds had been cut on- the reserves in Dear street, Orlando street, Cloton road, and Portia street. Kerbins* had been repaired in Broadway central, and the water channels in Broadway had been swept daily and the street cleaned

* From Our Resident Reporter. * * iff * Office: No. 3, York Chambers, Stratford. <j»

up twice t month. The footpath in Regan street between Broadway and Juliet street, had been lowered and regravelled. The pit at the septic tank had been fenced, and portion of it stripped. Fencing at the Kopuatama cemetery had been completed. All plates showing distances to fire-plugs were in position. Two permit® to connect with the borough, sewers hiid been issued during the month. The septic tank was in first-class working order. The overseer brought belore the notice of the council the fact that the culverts which carried 'off. storm water from Miranda street into the tunnel under the County Hotel and the Bank of Australasia proI perties were not large enough to carry ! off storm-water during heavy rains. To deal with this comprehensively a line of J 12-inch pipes should be laid from the, present inlet to a, culvert opposite, the County Hotel stables in Miranda street to the Pa tea river; approximate cost, £BS; approximate distance, 10 chains. WORKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee reported that the owners''of sections 747 and 748 having agreed to bear the cost they recommended that the drainage of this property be undertaken at once. The work of cleaning a portion of Kopuatama cemetery had been completed ? the exception of logging up and burning. This they had instructed the overseer to proceed with. _ The committee had no recommendation to make with regard to the question of erecting a public convenience, ' The committee recommended that the method of dealing with the storm water in Miranda street as advised by the overseer be carried out. ,

They had inspected the approach to King Edward Park, and recommended that the footpath-on the south side of .Fenton street be extended to the end of the plantation, and thence across the street to the entrance gate; estimate cost, £l6i

-With regard to the footpath applied for by Messrs. Hy. Brown and Co, (discussed at the two previous meetings of .the council), the committee recommended that a footpath be made from Miranda street to the first house and along the front of the three houses. This give access to the properties; estimated cost, £4 4s. The caretaker of the Kopuatama cemetery had brought under the notice of the committee the need of a fence around that part of the cemetery reserved for a mortuary chap si, and now laid down as a flower garden. This matter would be reported upon by the deputy-Mayor to the council. For the punpose of road maintenance during the winter they recommended that the fallowing be procured forthwith: 100 yards of boulders (to be broken); 200 yards of shingle; and 500 yards of cravel. The Mayor, Cr. King and the overseer had visited the; headworks of the water' supply, and in their opinion the improvements as suggested by the overseer (consisting of an intake tunnel) should be carried out. The cost would be approximately £t|.

The question of dealing with storm water in Miranda street was deferred until after an inspection of the council next day.

After a very lengthy discussion, particulars of which will appear to-morrow morning, the report was adopted. It was decided to compel the owner of the Trocadero site to clear the fire debris from the section, councillors expressing the opinion that its present state was a disgrace to the town. A committee was set up to consult the Electric Light Company with regardto an improvement in street lighting. A return is to be presented to the council showing the whole cost in connection with the recent electric lirrht loan scheme. °

The town clerk is to report on the possibility of passing a; by-law to prevent cattle being locked in the sale yards all night, their lowing being a nuisance to the whole neighborhood. The Town Hall Committee will discuss with the Territorial officers the question of providing the Territorials with drill hall accommodation.

It was decided to purchase a McLaren | road roller and Morrison scarifier at ai cost of _ £725, and' if not procurable at price the council will purchase an Aveling and Porter roller, with Morrison scarifier.

THE POST OFFICE. A DISGRACE TO THE PLACE. At the council meeting to-night Cr. Ward said that the time had surely arrived to bring under the notice of the authorities the need for a more up-to-date post office in Stratford. He moved to that effect. Cr. Boon seconded. He said the present post office was a disgrace to the place. If the council got to work with the Chamber of Commerce they mHit get something done. • ■ . ° Cr. Kihg said tlie present place was out of date, and certainly a disgrace to the town. L T sually one Had to wait a quarter of an hour before being attended to. If the member for the district had been anything like alive they would have had a better post office before now. There was money in the estimates for a public works office too.

Cr. Pa«et: '"Oil! that's gone to New Plymouth. It's not the unprogressiveness of the member, but the siveness of the town." °

Cr. King: "If you had put me in 1 would have got it." Cr. Paget (facetiously): "You'd have goHhe building of it. too, eh?" 'I lie motion was carried.

AMUSEMENTS. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A large audience witnesesd Inst night's usual big change at Bernard's popular house of amusement, when the films screened formed the finest programme yet shown hero. Amongst the leading dramas "The Silent Call" is by itself for exciting incidents. A young .n-irl iravelling by rail k approached by a well-drj'ssed stranger, who, on entering the compartment occupied by the girl, is met with glances of amproval and carries nn _n flirtation. The girl is paralysed with fear when the man produces a revolver and demands her money and jewellery. He forcibly binds and gacrs the jrirl. pushing her* almost lifeless beneath the seat, and then jumps from the train, which is going at full speed. Upon arrival at the next station a family party enter the fatal carriage and proceed to open their luncheon basket and are frightened ,at the appearance of a hand from beneath the seat. They pull the alarm, and'when the guard arrives the girl's almost lifeless body is taken and: placed upon a vacant seat. She explains how she has been robbed, and later the picture shows how the thief, in jumping from the

carriage, is run over 1 by a passing train a|id meets his just doom. All the dramas are from true to life plots and absolutely without flicker. The scenic portiph is 'of the best and a® far as comic pictures go nothing funnier could be desired. The same programme willbe repeated this (Tuesday) evening. On Thursday the management have decided to open their new dress circle for'the first time. There is seating accommodation for 150 persons, all the chairs are ! cushioned, and a grand view of the pictures is assured. SALE OP BUSINESS SITES. CENTRAL MUNICIPAL RESERVES. On Wednesday Mr. T. Lamason, instructed by the Stratford Borough Council, will , sell at his mart the leases of four centrally situated shops in Strati ford. They form part of the Municipal Buildings, and are right in the heart of the business section of the town, opposite the railway gates, and almost opposite the (post office. The new leases will be for ten years from Ist July ne f \-t. The sale takes place at a quarter- jjast three o'clock on Wednesday afternoon,, and will no doubt be well attended. The ' shops are at present let as follows: Lots 1 and 2, to Mr. A. Spence, draper,. clothier, and mililner; lot 3, to Mr. J,' P. Watson, watchmaker and jeweller; lot 4, to Mrs. H. Brown,' fruit,confestionery, and dining-room business. The hour of the sale has been fixed to suit intending bidders from north and south, the Hawera and New Plymouth trains crossing .here at about three o'clock. Inquiries may be made of the auctioneer, or of the town clerk, Mr. P. Skoglund.