STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 9, 11 June 1913, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

ODDFELLOWSHIP

A' we'll attended meeting was held on Monday to form a branch of the American Order of Oddfellows in Stratford. Mr. J. Thomas, of Ngaere, presided. It was decided to form a branch, to be known as the "Triumph" Lodge. Bro. J. Thomas, who joined the order nearly fifty years ago in America, was elected Noble Grand, and Bro. A. D. Blick, ViceGrand, with Bro. J. Eaethel, secretary pro tern, and Bro. J. Eaucett, treasurer. Other officers will be elected'at a future meeting, when the date of opening will be fixed. Meanwhile the organiser will wait on all intending candidates. It is hoped to open with from 25 to 30 members.

STRATFORD HOSPITAL BOARD

At the ordinary monthly meeting of the Stratford Hospital and Charitable Aid Board on Tuesday, there were present: .Messrs. J McAllister (chairman), C. D. Sole, E. Walter, J. Christoffel; ■,. E. Hine, J. Smith, and W.. Rogers. Mr. ! C. I). Sole, for the visiting conrmittee, reported that 'everything Was working satisfactorily at the hospital. Some gravel was required in one or two places. He recommended that a truck of screenings be obtained from the Mt. Egmont quarry, to be kept on hand for repairs.—Adopted. The secretary reported that recently a man died, in the hospital, leaving a bank-book and a considerable sum of money among his possessions. As there were apparently no relatives he had forwarded these belongings and the Board's account for maintenance and funeral, to the Public Trustee—Action approved. Mr. Sole mentioned that Dr. Carbery was leaving next week on a trip to the Old Country, and he moved that the Board express'' its appreciation of the services rendered to the hospital by him at various times when the institution was in a precarious condition with regard to the medical staff. Mr. Sole added that the medical superintendent had spoken very highly of Dr. Carbery's services in the past. In moving this resolution, Mr. Sole expressed the hope that Dr. Carbery would have a very pleasant trip.—Mr. Christoffel said that undoubtedly Dr. Carbery had done his very utmost v for the institution, and his willingly rendered services had been invaluable.—Mr. Smith remarked, too, that Dr. Carbery had stood by the hospital in manly fashion when 'its affairs were critical, and he deserved well of the Board /and Vthel ratepayers.—The chairman, in putting the resolution, said that the Board wa6 only giving the doctor his due. "We are under an obligation—and have been in the past—and the older members of the Board appreciate it fully. Personally, I- sincerely trust Dr. Carbery will have a' very pleasant time."

MY KINGDOM FOR A HORSE!"

Dr. Steven, medical superintendent, reported that during the month of May, 19 patients were admitted, sixteen were discharged, and two died, fourteen remaining at the end of the month. There was one patient in the isolation ward. Nine operations were performed under anaesthetics.

The, sanitary inspector reported generally on matters in the whole district. One case of scarlet fever was notified in the Borough. No bakers were selling un-der-weight bread. Marts, fruit, and" fish shops m Stratford had been inspected. Mr. T. A. Lonergan was appointed dental surgeon to the hospital for the ensuing year.

SCOTTISH SOCIETY'S GATHERING

Miss Agnes M. Segrief, who will be one of the "star" performers at Thursday night's social, received the whole of her training in Wellington. A Wellington paper of recent date credits her with the possession of a rich, sweet, contralto voice, and refined and artistic method. ''A decided acquisition to the ranks of Wellington's vocalists," is warm praise from a capable Press critic. Miss Segrief during her training, secured the following honors:—Senior Trinitv College, with gold medal, A.T.C.L., and L.A.B. At the Wellington Liedertafcl concert, Miss Segrief "was listened to by a fully appreciating audience, who 'warmly conveyed their acknowledgements of the singer's praiseworthy efforts." The Society is to be congratulated upon having been able to secure this notable solois.t. The list of performers includes Miss Knight, a talented singer from the Lower Hutt; Mrs. Wilkes, of Toko, one of Taranaki's most gifted performers, and a warm favorite to New Plymouth audiences; Miss Mackey, a capable Stratford lady singer; Miss Niel'son, another well known Hawera vocalist; Mr. Whitehorh, of Hawera; the Hawera quartette. Scotch humor of the right sort will be put on tap bv Mr F H. Wilkie. Of Scotch dances there will be the "Reel o' Tulloch," bv Misses Todd and Weston; shcantruibhas, by Miss Todd, of Inglewood; sword dance, Mr. Joe Wade; Highland fling, Mr. J. Wade', Junr. There will he the full pipe band] whose stirring strains will be heard in the streets before the concert. After the concert comes a supper that promises to be famous, and a dance. Tickets are selling rapidlv.

STRAY PARAGRAPHS '

STRATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

At the ordinary meeting of the Borough Council on Monday night, all the members were present. As previously published, the various reports were adopted. The overseer was instructed to prepare a report and estimate of cost of repairing and re-painting Victoria bridge and Swansea road bridge. _ Cr. Morison moved that all applications for work to lie done, accounts, or correspondence, must be sent in to the Council at least three days before the Council meeting, in order to give the committees an opportunity- of considering the matters and 'recommending thereon—Withdrawn. The overseer was instructed to bring down an estimate of the cost of extending the formation and gravelling on Pembroke road, east, and a chain beyond Mr. Head's house. A Finance Committee was set up to consist of the chairmen of the various standing committees. A letter from Mr. M. J. Patterson, asking for attention to Miranda street in front of his house; and one from Mrs. Hassall for an improved approach to her nursing home in Miranda street, were referred to the Works' Committee. Mr. A. H. Iluggett's application for a new street light on Flint road, at the lower entrance to the showgrounds, was referred to the Lighting Committee. , A committee was set up to enquire mto the Town Hall charges, and the possibility of reducing the rent charged for -purely local functions.—Cr. Thompson's initiative. After lengthv discussion on Cr. Boon's notice of motion to make fixed annual charges for water supplied to W.C's ntc, a committer, was set up to go into the whole question and report.

FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTER. Office and Job Printing "Works: Next N.Z. Loan &. Mercantile Agency Co., Broadway. 3 Telephone No. 113.

( "The Borough Council's not a body of men to be 'played with and laughed at," I announced Councillor Masters, during, a discussion at Monday night's meeting. He was standing for the adopti;- cf ordinary business practice in the matter of accounts. ' The'amount imolvcd was not large, but, as not infrequently happens on lopal bodies, the small amount evoked considerable .discussion. The A. and P. Association's secretary forwarded an account'for £2O 8s for the hire of the Association's horse and dray for 6G days at 8s per day. The Mayor moved that the account be passed for payment, subject to being certified to by the Borough overseer, whose ideas of the value of the services rendered did not tally with those of the creditor. Cr. Dingle wan referred to as an expert, bat "I'm on the executive of the A. and P.," said lie! Cr. Morison, another member of the Association's'committee, reckoned the Council should not pay the amount. Cr. King reckoned the Works' Committee would want to know What amount was to be paid. A whole string of motions and amendments' gave much excuse for speeches, and various estimates " were given of the value of the services rendered. But the practical men of the Council were sure that the utmost charge should be about 15s a week. Cr. Masters' commentary on the amount of the account rendered was: "Here's the price of a good horse to be paid for 6(3 days' hire of one." It was pointed out that if the account was paid in full, the Mayor and Crs. Dingle, Pochards, and Morison, as members of the A. and P. Association committee would have to forfeit their seats on the Council, whereat an assurance was given that the Association's executive had never contemplated making such a charge.—The account goes to the Works' Committee' for a recommendation.

According to the chairman of the Hospital Board, there are quite a number of mild cases of scarlet fever in the district just now. The sanitary inspector wrote that one case reported had not come under his notice until it was well advanced, for the patient had not been thought ill enough to warrant calling in a doctor. A suggestion was made that the Public Health Department might publish a leaflet to assist people in diagnosing the early symptoms of the disease, and this idea was adopted, although one member considered that no notice would be taken of the leaflet. On dit that Mr. R. McK. Morison has sold his homestead and 63 acres of land adjoining his Stratford nurseries to Mr. W. A. Fieklcs. Mr. Morison intends conducting his nursery business as heretofore. He has, however, purchased a farm of 140 acres, with stock, etc., at Toko. Messrs. C. and E. Jackson negotiated the sale in each case.

The Borough Council held a very talkative meeting on Monday. Where there is much smoke there must surely be some fire. •

At the Borough Council meeting on Monday a letter was received from the local manager of the Bank of Australasia declining to contribute towards the cost of carrying off storm water in Broadway Central, which work was now in progress. Cr. King said that for many years the drain had been a source of danger to the Council. It was only by the leniency of some of the occupiers of adjoining sections that the Council had not had to pay damages some two or three years ago. Whilst the work just now being carried out was of direct benefit to the people in the locality, the Council could not enforce any claim against them.

Messrs. C. and E. Jackson report the sale of Messrs. Judd Bros.' (Toko) Tututawa sheep run to Mr. H. Campbell, of Hawke's Bay, and the sale to Messrs. Judd Bros, of 6(5 acres on the Brooks road, just outside Stratford, and 350 acres at Urenui.

The Mayor has given notice to move at the next ordinarv meeting that the Borough Council make and levy a general rate of 3d jn the £ on the unimproved value; special rates of %d, 5-HSd, Vsd and l-12d in the £, unimproved value; and a water rate of <sd in the £ on the annual value.

There's going to be some fun over the Electric Light Company's demand o>i the Borough Council for payment for current consumed by street light as from April 1, when the lights were not installed for several weeks afterwards. There are two sides, of course. Mr G T. James, of the Stratford Post and. Telegraph staff, has been appointed postmaster at Papakura. Besides losing an efficient and popular officer, Stratford loses in Mr. and Mrs. James' enthusiastic supporters of the Horticultural Society. Mr. W. A. Kimberley succeeds the Rev. w. A. Butler as Scoutmaster in the local troop of Boy Scouts.

Hie King's Birthday does not cause any great excitement when it falls in midwinter, as does the present Sovereign's birthday. It is not much of a time for out-door gatherings, unless you are clothed in warm underwear, a good suit, and topcoat from 'The Kash" (Mulden and Marshall, proprietors). The men of to-day and the men of tomorrow are all interested in this announcement that the best place in Stratford for a hair-cut-or shave is S. Sharp's Kgmont Saloon, next Bellringer Bros. Why not buy your cigars, cigarettes, tobaccos, pipes and matches there, too 7