STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 255, 18 March 1913, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

F.'omi Our Resident Reporter. Olli'v: ;\..\l, Loan i .Uercaiuilu Agency to. Teh-iilioi.u ll.'i. TO-lIOIQGW S POLL Tlie .\i.!vor (My. \V. P. Kirkwood) nmki,, i;u: lollowuig appeiil to ratepayers in ro;:iieclioii with to-morrow's pull: I.auk'.-. .;iid i.ieiiticmen. — Vour decision ill connection with Liie loan proposals, al the poll on V\edne,day, will Jmvc a very i:i....-rial bearing o.i uie progress of >n..i..,...; a ilccisiou negativing raising any Jo;.:i ;\u\-\. have a prejudicial effect on 1 in- progress of our town, while an ailinnative poll for at least a portion of the proposal touil amount must mean progress.

Y\ hen <. Let-ted .Mayor I advocated a loan of Li"i,(JllU, and my principal reason lur desiring the loan proposals placed before you in separate issues was to enable you to voie for that amount or more as you may wish. .Notwithstanding contrary opinions that may be held as to the advisability of rai-ing a loan, and the statements made i:i the press against .the loan proposals, i most earnestly uigy ratepayers to vote for at least the water and drainage issues, as being the most essential and in the best interests of the Dorougn. An abundant supply of good water, together with an eilieient sanitary system, are the first essentials of a modern town. IJider the loan proposals the water scheme covers the completion of the reticulation system throughout the borough and purifying the supply. The drainage loan provides for draining the most populated parts of the town with an eilieient •system and a newly-con-structed septic tank;, also under this loan .-C15(:!J would be provided to enable ratepayers to instal drainage and sanitary conveniences on their properties, payment to be made by instalments.

Concerning the streets improvement portion of tlie loan proposals, 1 may say that all the work has been very carefully scheduled, and if money is not raised for the work at the present time it will be necessary to do so later.

In the matter of borrowing, all progressive concerns, fiom a small business to large companies, also the Government of ;i country, find it imperative to borrow for development purposes. Overborrowing is all we have to fear, and when it is considered that the public debt of Stratford is only £42,890 and tiie capita! value of the borough £4(17,(il)li, it will be readily realised that a very wide margin is left to borrow upon, wfiile keeping well within a proper limit. The total rate of the borough does not exceed 4 33-81 Min the £. Whatever sum i- borrowed, you may rest assured Unit tiie expenditure will be made over a reasonable period and not spent hurriedly. The fact is to be realised that the town of Stratford is not keeping pace with the development of "the surrounding country, and to the end of making our town the chief commercial centre of this prosperous district a vigorous develop- , ment policy is necessary within the confines of the borough. in conclusion, as it is only possible to get a proper indication of your wishes on the loan proposals by a large, percentage «':/' ratepayers recording their vote-. 1 would appeal to all ratepayers to exercise their privilege of voting. I TENNIS

j HAWERA DEFEAT STRATFORD. A team from the Stratford Tennis | Club journeyed to Hawera yesterday to meet the local team, and were defeated J by live sets or 53 games. The following 1 are the: -cores, Hawera players being I mentioned first:— I Men's Singles.—Bell 12, v. Thompson j 4:' Sellar.. 12. v. Marshall 2; Caplen 12, : v. Rutherfurd S; Cox !), v. C. Wright. 12: ! Kururangi 12, v. P. Wright 10; Thomson 0, v. Yaughan 12. Ladies' Singles.—Miss Caplen 7, v. Mrs. Robinson 0; Miss Hill 0, v. Mrs. Paget J 1: Miss A. Young !), v. Mrs. Budge 5; Mrs. Dnllil 3. v. Miss Mackav !). Men'.s Doubles.—Bell and 'Sellars 12, v.- Thompson and Marshall (!; Caplen and Cox 12, v. Rutherfurd and Wright .">: Knrurangi and Thomson 10, v. Wright and Yaughan 12. Ladies' Doubles—Misses Hill and Caplen ) 11. v. Mrs,!.niies Robinson and Paget 2; I Miss Young and Mrs. Duflill (i, v. Mrs. i Budge and Miss Mackav SI. Cuini'iiic.l Doubles—Bell and Mi'ss Hill I !>, v. Thompson and Mrs. Robinson (i; j Sellar. and Miss Caplen I), v. Marshall and Mrs. Paget 1; Caplen and Miss Young !!. v. Rutherfurd and Mrs. Budge o:'Cox and Mrs. Duilil .5. \. Wright and Mi-s Mackav 7. Totals: Tlawera. 12 sets. U2 games; Stratford. 7 sets, 11!) games. TARANAKI SCOTTISH SOCIETY The ex"cufive of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society met on Friday night, when it was decided that the e.say competition should in future be open to children in Taranaki. irrespective of nationality. It was also decided to hold the annual meeting of the Society in the Municipal Chambers on April 24. The executive also decided to take over all Hie property, consisting of ■uniforms, drums, etc., of (he Taranaki Caledonian Pipe Band. The Xcw Zealand Scot was appointed the ollicial organ of the Soeietv. with Mr. A. Henderson as correspondent. C.E. UNION tin Hood Friday the South Taranaki C.E. I'liiuii i. holding its annual convention i>: the Broadway Church. Stratfo.d: I hi- function has usually been held in Hawera. but as Stratford is more central the Union has decided to hold it here this year. There are to be three meeting., 'at 10.30 a.m.. 1.30 p.m. and 7.30 li.in.. which, judging by the programme, will lie surcharged with interest ami well worth attending. PERSONAL Inspectors Whetter and Ballantyne. of | (he Taranaki Education Board, were in Stratford yesterday on a visit of inspecj tiou to the local school. Mr. Alex. Henderson, who has recently been appointed to a position on the New Zealand Scot, left for Wellington yesterday morning. He will return to Stratford for the annual meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society on April 24. Mr. ('. •!. McKenzie. resident Public Works engineer, left by the mail train yesterday morning for the Main Trunk. Next week Mr. McKenzie goes to Wellington to relieve Mr. F. W. Furkett for about nine months. Mr. (!. T. Murray, resident roads engineer at Xew Plymouth, will be. in charge here during Mr. McKen/.ie's absence. STRAY PARAGRAPHS St. Patrick's Day passed o(T very quietlv. not being generally observed as a holiday here. Quite a number of local sportsmen journeyed to the Opuuake races, whilst one or two went out east to the Koburatahi sports gathering, and (he Stratford Tennis Club sent a team to Hawera to meet the local club. Yesterday was wet, very wet at times. 'About (j p.m. we had one of the heaviest

downpours that we have experienced for I a long time. I A small boy, en route for home after - school, was ■■illustrating to an admiring crowd of his confreres his skill ns a skater, using the Tiroadway. water channel as a skating rink. All went well for a chain or two, when suddenly his feet travelled too fast, and he sat down with convincing suddenness in about a foot of water. This act was loudly applauded by his interested audience, but judging by the downcast, look on the performer when he gathered himself together he evidently saw another unrehearsed incident looming.into view when he reached home. This week should be a busy one in Stratford, as the dairy companies in and around here will be paying out for last month's millc supply the large sum of £13.700. The amount is made xrp as follows:—Stratford Dairy Company £OOB4, Neaero £-251-21. Lowaarth £21.30. and Cardiff £1724.

The Stratford Municipal Band rendered an excellent programme of music in the Hospital grounds on Sunday afternoon. The weatliov was ideal, and the programme was much appreciated by all present. The band, under Bandmaster Marshall, has made good progress. The following programme was rendered: March ''Countersign." intermezzo "Stephane." selection "Gems of England," sacred selection "Eventide," selection '■Re£riuin Donum." march "Vigilant," march "Duty's Call." gavotte "Moonlight Shadows," "God Save the King."