Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 133, 23 October 1912, Page 3

Stratford News

Jfrom uur .Resident Reporter. FIRE BRIGADES. SHOULD TREY BE .SUBSIDISED? Should, fires brigades be subsidised out o! the Consolidated Fund? It is a question that has frequently been discussed, and which was not inopportuiitely discussed at the firemen's reunion the other night. A speaker, praising the work of the volunteer (ire brigades, called them heroes, and said their treatment by the Government was nothing short of a disgrace, lie considered fire brigades should be liberally subsidised by the State, seeing that they rendered such valuable services to the public. A subsequent speaker was absolutely opposed to the idea. He thought there was too great a tendency to lean on the State in these things. The firemen protected property of people in a localised area, and it was only a fair thing that the ratepayers in the protected area should bear the expense, seeing that they alone derived benefit. He was prepared to admit the heroism and self-sacrifice of the firemen, and that they were entitled to liberal public support, but not out of the State coffers.

STREET LIGHTS The Borough Council wrestled on Monday night with the report of the Lighting Committee, recommending the erection of the following additional lights: SOUTH OF BRIDOE. Warwick road, corner Juliet street, corner Cordelia street; Romeo street, remove light from White's, Juliet street south, on Juliet street, corner Cordelia street, corner Miranda street; Celia street, corner Swansea road; Juliet street south, near Childs' house, corner Lear street; Opunake road, oppositft Mr. Dingle's ; Lear street, remove light corner Orlando street to .Skoglund's fence, corner Ariel street; Miranda street south, between Hospital and Celia street; Broadway south, between Romeo street and Warwick road; Page street, corner Page street and Brecon road, remove light comer Page and Miranda streets to opposite corner.

NORTH OP BRIDGE. Fenton street, at corner Ariel street on north side; Regan street, remove light across street to Mrs. Evans' corner, corner Portia street; Sertoli street, corner Miranda street, corner Ariel street (gully); Pembroke road, C. Speck's gate, corner Portia street, corner Juliet street (Middleton's), corner Swansea road; Cordelia street north, corner of Seyton street; Hamlet street north, O'Leary's bridge, corner Olivia street; Broadway north, between R. H. Robinson's and S. H. James's; Flint road west, near Grant's (westerly direction); Brecon road north, at James Robson's gate. Cr. Healy considered the proposal ridiculous, but Ins amendment to defer consideration was rejected, and the report adopted. Cr. Healy then gMe. notice to move that the motion should be rescinded, as a protest against the amount proposed to be expended. Cr. Thompson, who had given much assistance in the matter, and on account of his special knowledge of the subject as a result of his several years' secretaryship of the Electric Light Company, was added to the committee.

STRAY PARAGRAPHS Messrs. W. P. Kirkwood (president) and J. B. Richards ( secretary), representing the Stratford Chamber of Commerce, went to New Plymouth last night as a deputation to the Taranaki Chamber on a flairs of provincial interest.

The Stratford Defence Rifle Club expects to make a start shortly. The targets will be fixed some day. The ratepayers are to have a chance to vote themselves the luxury of a 99ft. bridge across the Patca river in Broadway. Cr. Kind's attempt to rescind the Council's previous resolution was lost by six votes to four. The bridge scheme will now be added to the loan proposals. The Bowling Club's daylight saving scheme, submitted to the Tradesmen's Association on Monday night, was favorably received. More information on. the point is required before any decision can be arrived at. It docs seem nonsense to go on observing "granfer's" hours of business just because they were good enough for him, whereas conditions have utterly changed. The Borough Council has decided to ask the Health Department to reconsider its demand for the demolition, of the Club Hotel stables. Councillors have inspected the place, and are evidently of the opinion that the Health Officer was mistaken. v The A. & P. Association is to be allowed to remove the Borough Council's share of the objectionable bank at the Flint road railway crossing in the interests of traffic. The Council, apparently in consideration of the Association's hard work, has decided to ask the Railway Department to shift some earth, too. The Midhirst Gun Club's big 'shoot" takes place, to-day on the range on Mr. A. Richmond's property. When the Stratford Operatic Society decided to take "IT.M.S. Pinafore" to Hawera there were many misgivings as to whether those responsible for such action were not taking too big a risk. The proof of the pudding was in the eating, and it will be remembered that at least 200 persons in Hawera were unable to gain admission to witness the piece. House full, not even standing room, and many who had purchased tickets and failed 'to book their seats were unable to gain admission. By the way the tickets for "Our Regiment" aTe selling, pnreh'iscrs will be well advised to rememb'r Unit the box plan opens on Thursdav. i4th inst., at Orubb's Music Warehouse. It must be very consoling to those responsible for the production 'to know that full houses are assured. The enthusiasm of the promoters seems catching. We take this opportunity of recommending our readers not to overlook seeing '-'Our Regiment," which we believe will be one of (.lie preltiest, and wittiest mirth-provoking comedies staged in Stratford.

BERNARD'S PICTURES. There, is no question that, the local picture show h a popular institution, and deservedly so. Xot only is His 'Majesty's Theatre one of the cosiest, host finished and furnished, and most attractive in the Dominion, hut the plant installed is one of the finest, too. Mme. Bernard spares no expense, to make the pictures popular. The hest films secured hy Messrs .Tohn Fuller & Son arc regularly screened, sometimes at very heavy expen='\ and w? are well served, indeed. N!ot me rncn-hor of the audiences that filled His Majesty's Theatre at both performances on Saturday witnessed the Gaumont mV. "Attacked l.y a Lion." -.vifchoiit exp rlencing something of the tremendous thrills of excitement ielt hy hi« frame hunters when out for sport. This picture is most realistic, and the scene where, the hero is pounced upon hy a magnificent, specimen of "the king of bests" is thrilling in its intesiiy. Another hij? feature, "of the new programme was a Selitr drama entitled "A Humble Hero." Tips tells a simple hut vivid and forceful sf.e-Tv of canine intelligence, that held the attention firmly of all present. In addition to thet.-.' two items there were many other excellent film stores,

notably "Rice and Old" (Lnbin!, "Little Boy Blue" (Lubiii) and "'('lie I foin-y----mnoners." The same jird^i-.-imine will be repeated to-night.