STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 224, 21 March 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTER.

Office and Job Printing Works: York Chambers (upstairs) *•> Telephone No. 113.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATION In connection with the discussion at Wednesday's . meeting of the County Gonncil on county administration, I'r. Walter reminded the Council that it hxl lost one of its best men for the sake d Is a day. He contended that it would pay the Council to have a man ridinoabout the county most of his time loo* | ing after the, works in hand, but ; t would not be necessary for supervis'u/i to be also given by the engineer. Th» ••> \va d not, lie felt, sufficient supervision at present. Referring to the complaints against the men, he asserted that no one who was merely riding by could judge of a roadman's work, which co i!d only be tested from week to week.. He had never advocated day labor, because there was no adequate supervision. Referring to the engineer, Cr. Walter paid a high tribute of praise to Mr. Robi.ison's services, and pointed out that by the. terms of the engineer's engagement only a portion of his time was given io the county, so that it was not'reasonable to expect him to exercise a continuous supervision over the men. The time had arrived.when, in the interests of the county, a change in tho system wis advisable. What, in his opinion, was iequired was that the engineer should be a consulting engineer to be engaged on a commission basis, and a good practical man appointed as oveWer. By that plan there would be no need for foremen .as such, but they could be calbd the permanent staff. A capable who had a motor cycle could keep m touch with all .the work from day .o day, and cover the whole of the countv once a week. This was the system lieproposed to ask the Council to adapt, Cr. Smith agreed with the previous speaker. j Cr. Thomson maintained that the Toko road was not looked after as it should be. He considered the. engineer's suggestions were in the right direction, lie would support them as 'he was quite satisfied a change was necessary. He therefore formally moved that the engineer's suggestions' be adopted. Cr. Anderson seconded the motion.

Cr. Christoffel considered that the only complaints made came from the East riding. He was not in favor of having only one foreman for the whole county.

Cr. Young said that the existence of an unsatisfactory state of affairs in one riding should not suffice as a reason for upsetting the arrangements in other ridings.

Cr. Were expressed the greatest respect for and confidence in the engineer, but he considered the present system was at fault. He was convinced there was not sufficient supervision over the work. That did not at all reflect on the engineer, whose special duty was to direct and not to supervise. The chairman contended that with 400 miles of road in,the countv it was almost impossible for one man to adequately supervise works going on in the whole area. He pointed out that formerly the foremen reported direct to the Council, hut that Cr. Walter had initiated the change whereby the engineer was placed in charge. Cr. Smith: If an overseer cannot supervise the whole county, how can the engineer?

The chairman said he was entirely satisfied with the work done in other part* of the county; at the same time there ,had been cases in which the foremen hail hi en able to get metal on roads at 35 per cent, cheaper than by contract. He contended that a foreman should he a good organiser; must do his duty to the tnployees as well as to the ratepayers. With regard to the complaints mentio ied, the chairman considered that.wlwe 'there wa3 smoke there was fire. He would back up the engineer in dispeis'ng with the services of any men ni were not worth their monev." A* to the extract system, he did not Quite kn)<v whether it would work. He considerel the county foremen should be placed in tt.c same position as p i.gers. He concluded by expressing his intention i 0 f-'pport the engineer's yroposals. The motion was then put and carried b\ 5 to 4.

Cr. Walter then moved. That the en gineer's services be. dispensed with, and an overseer appointed for the whole county. The mover urged that the?" was at present no work for an engineer tr carry out, and that '4 was unreasoia'tle to expect an engineer to supervise details in the way an overseer would bv being continually in touch with the men and their work. He urged that a eoi/ suiting engineer was all that, .the Coun ;'l required, and that by adopting tlu motion there would be a saving of £IOO a year.

Cr. Smith seconded the motion, which was debated on much the same lin.s .if the previous motion, an/1 eventually luet on a division by 5 to 4

It was decided to call for applicit'on? for the position of foreman of the East riding,

'lt iii much to be regretted that the discussions of the Council* otii the above matter resulted in the resignati in of two of the councillors- and the eng'neir (as already reported). There is Wry prohahility that if the matter had m'fc been rushed through, but had beei referred to a committee to thresh out and report upon, a' very different tndir-» would have been recorded. The sugi'icer, by invitation of the Council, frankly, but briefly, explained his position, and regretted he could see no ot'i :v course than to adhere to his resignation. There is no question that the Co'.i.i-il will suffer a great loss in being depi ive.i of the servicesi of Mr. Robinson, w.n ~< deservedly recognised as u talented, skilful, and reliable engineer, and one ul.o ,in the near future has every project of attaining to the highest rank profession. The whole incident was full of want of tact, and clearly dciii"nstrates the need for the avoidance i.f blundering tactics.

GENERAL. Mixed metaphors are somewhat co nmon at meetings of public bodies. AVednesday's County Council .meeting was n.) exception. "If," said one of the speakers, "the house is to be put in order we must begin at the top of the tree." This is a somewhat frequent trap for the unwary. "We can't afford to regard the roads as carriage drives," remarked the chairman at the County Council meeting on Wednesday. There is something to be said on the other side of that question.

RIFLE SHOOTING At the Stratford Rifle Club's range on Thursday, the first stage of the competition for the Masters' Cup, seven shots at 300. 500 and" GOO yards, \va«

fired, there being 15 marksmen. The atmospheric conditions made high scores almost- impossible owing to the fishk tail winds that prevailed throughout. ' Rifleman Thorpe made the best actual • total, but Eiileman Hopson's handicap 1 brought him to the top of the list. The ; following are the scores of the first I ten:— f 300 500 600 Ttl. ■ Hopson (handicap 7) 25 30 27 89 ; W. Brocklebank (0) .. 20 28 28 S8 Thorpe • (scr) 29 28 30 87 : A. Speck (2) 28 29 27 8(5 . J. Voyle (0) : 29 28 23 88 : W. Rogers (8) ..'..... 25 29 23 85 J. Sangster (6) 30 23 25 84 E. Brocklebank (2) .. 28 23 30 83 A. Sangster (scr) .... 23 31 29 83 j A. Mackay (8) 31 HIS MAJESTY'S PICTURES Last night's programme was received with great delight by the large number of patrons present. Without doubt the "Bishop's Carriage" is a masterpiece of the cinema art, and little Mary Pickford in the role of the "Charity Girl" is a revelation of artistic acting. This great detective drama, which centres round the unfortunate waif, created the most profound impression and thrilled the spectators. Another forceful film is the "Madonna of the Storm," the subject being handled with great effect, and the finale reached by most artistic means. "An Error in Kidnapping" is one of those delightful Vitagraph comedies that never fail to please, and judging by its reception last night, it certainly scored a success. The incidents are not only well conceived, and executed, but tlie scenery is most attractive. The supporting films are well worthy of the high reputation Madame Bernard has achieved, while tho musical portion c-f the programme is kept at a high level of efficiency, the last and most catchy airs being artistically rendered. To-night should see another large m'uster at tho theatre.

TOWN HALL PICTURES The greatest appreciation was shown last niglit of the excellent programme submitted. The star picture, "The Paper Trail" is a drama that delights picture patrons. It is the story of two brothers, a millionaire ami a ne'er-do-well, the former being arrested as he leaves the church on his wedding day, in consequence of burglary committed by the latter, but the bride saves the situation, and all ends well for the happy pair. A magnificent series of views of scenery in the Alps is one of the best that has been screened, the waterfalls evoking great enthusiasm. Another film that everyone should see is "Memories of Old Soup." The humorous items are all most amusing, and all the other films are pleasing and attractive. To-night, Mr. Bert Davies, a local comic singer, who has been engaged for a week, will appear, and as lie recently proved victorious in n singing competition, the turn should prove an extra draw. Professor Henderson is nightly playing the ."Mocking Bird," a. piece of music that is much appreciated.

PERSONAL A large gathering- of members of the Stratford Club entertained Mr. E. Rpencc, who for the past thirteen years has been prominent in the local legal circle. The function was of a private nature, the chief object being to express to the guest of the evening the high esteem in which lie is held by'the members, and to wish him "bon voyage" on his approaching tour. Mr. Spence was presented with a travelling suit case and.a case of pipes in recognition of the many services rendered to the Club, and of' the goodwill of' the member,*. A most enjoyable evening was spent by all present, the greatest enthusiasm being evinced.in doing honor to the special guest, We join in the sincere wish, so emphatically evident at the gathering, that Mr. Spence may sufqly return to Stratford with robust health, and that enlarged experience which travel alone can supply.

GENERAL NEWS The County Engineer, Mr. E. C. Robinson, has lost no time in carrying out the resolution. of the Council to call for tenders for 2000 vards of boulders on the Toko road. The tenders close on 28th inst., and intending contractors can inspect the specifications at the Engineer's office on and after Monday next. . '

Tt frequently happens that cadets and Territorials, when before the Magistrate for default in attending pnrades, state that they have applied either for leave or exemption. In a case before the Court yesterday, Mr. Kenrick, S.M., fully explained to the defendant the right course to pursue, namely, by giving notice to the sergeant-major. Application for exemption on account of distance had to he decided on by the magistrates, who directed where the military services of applicants were to be carried out. The carelessness shown m not taking the proper steps led to defaulters being brought before the •ourt and fined.

Land-owners would be well advised to take heed to the remarks of the magistrate as to the duty imposed on them of clearing their property from noxious Weeds. As no notice is necessary to bo given in eases of default, a landowner may have to face the court, and find himself not oifly obliged to clear the weeds but pay a fine and costs as well.

Your photograph will please them all —some of your friends hnve been expecting one for a long time—don't be satisfied with one taken years ago. just as you are to-day, in your everyday attire. Having your portrait taken is as pleasant as an informal call on good friends. Make an appointment to-day with Mr. McAlister, Stratford. Eight sticks of dark Havelock tobacco for 6s; eight sticks of flerhv, fi s; eight 2oz tins Havelock, 7s fid; eight 2oz tins Derby, 7s fid. These are specimen prices from Stan. Sharp's stock of smokers' requisites. Next Bellringert, Stratford. There is no questioning the fact that "The Kasb" is the best place in Stratford for men to supply their clothing and mercery wants. Quality ami price tell their own unequalled story in favor of the store.