STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 262, 3 April 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

F2OM OUR RESIDENT REPORTER. «

Office and Job Printing "Works: York Chambers (upstairs) Telephone No. 113.

BOROUGH BALANCE-SHEET. There is a most commendable up-to-dateness about the officials of the public bodies in Stratford, and the town clerk, Mr. P. Skoglund, justly takes pride of place, for he can claim the credit of being probably the ouy town clerk who has his year's balance-sheet ready for ami it. at the close of the last day of the financial year. An inspection of the balance-sheet shows that the past year has been financially uneventful, the only large amounts expended being for roading plant—engine, roller, crusher and accessories—which have cost over £IOOO, but as against that there has been brought into the general account the sum of £93!) which had accumulated in the water account. Although the latter is a mere matter of book-keeping and not oi 'money, it places the general account in a more favorable position, so that in place of it showing a deficit of £1359, the excess of expenditure over Tevenue 'appears as £420; the total revenue being • £5142 and the expenditure£sso2. There is very little difference in the bank overdraft now to what it was 12 months ago, and that difference is on the right side, being. £2B less. The total amount of the borough's indebtedness is now £45,011, including the overdraft of £2lll, the'loans totalling £42,900. The interest paid during tluv year was'£l7lo. It cannot be said' that the weight of debt is excessive, nor would it be so until over £60,000 was Teached.

Comparing the revenue of tlie past year with that of the preceding period, | it is seen there is very little difference. There was a slight falling-off in Town Hall revenue, but increases appear in J practically all the other items. The water account shows a gross profit of £567, and a net profit, after allowing for interest and expenses, of £142, but if the'charges in . connection with drainage loan are deducted then there would probably be a small loss shown, but as an asset it is very valuable in every respect. With regard to expenditure, it is evident that the borough is bciug very economically administered, and that, if anything, the Council is more parsimonious than liberal. It has every reason to be thoroughly satisfied with the staff, and especially with the good results achieved at what is really a much smaller outlay than is customary. The outlay on streets last year was £352 more than for the previous year, and now that the large expenditure on road machinery has been met out of revenue, the Council may well consider the policy of spending at" least £I(MM) in bringing the side streets into something like decent order, as well as doing what is requisite for the main, thoroughfare. On the whole, the .borough and its officials deserve great praise for the able manner in which municipal affairs are being administered. There are, of course, mauy matters that require attention, but it is far wiser to make haste slowly in these affairs than to give way to spasmodic fits of hustle. BERNARD'S PICTURES. "The Intruder," a remarkable and thrilling Vitagraph drama, heads the list of attractions in the new programme to be screened at His Majesty's pictures to-night. Though the theme is not by any means new, it is presented in such an attractive form and has the advantage of a number of beautiful scenic accessories that the story has an added charm. The young heir falls m love .with the niece of one of the old tenants on the estate, and, though the old people . show a decided mistrust of his motives, they are eventually won over, and all end's happily. It is truly a charming romance that appeals with telling force to all sorts and conditions of people, and the acting is of the most artistic order. "The Way to Happiness" is another very pleasing romance, of a society girl who devotes her life to the uplifting of the under-world. Her thrilling experiences are splendidly -depicted, and create the greatest interest. One of the most humorous films yet produced w that of "Max and his Portmanteau," and the supporting pictures of the leading firms in the cinematograph business. The excellent professional orchestra cau be relied on to contribute satisfactory .music, so that patrons,will spend a very enjoyable evening. TOWN HALL PICTURES The popularity,of the Zigomar series lof sensational detective dramas vva,s never greater than at present. In the latest number, "The Mystery of the Yel- j low Koom," there is a sufficiency of ilsiring exploits to satisfy the moat exacting of pictures pationa. The film is 3000 ft in length, and throughout the unfolding of this great masterpiece there is a succession of wonders that cause the spectators to almost gasp for breath, lii-st -night's patrons ffiioroughly appro-

ciated this exciting drama, and demonstrated their approval most convincingly. Another thrilling drama that evoked much applause was "The Artist and the Brute," the climax in which a woman has a hand-to-hand contest with a leopar, being very realistic. "The Lad from Old Ireland" is not only a, pleasing romance, but it contains a number of attractive scenes in Ireland and America, as well as on the Atlantic. All the other films are of great interest, and include some excellent samples of the , usual varied character—dramas, comedies, scenics etc. Among these, "The Living Doll" and "Speed Kings" met [ with great favor, and it was evident that the patrons present were well pleased with the programme, which will be screened again to-night and on Saturday.

GENERAL NEWS I The year's work at the abattoirs comprised the slaughtering of the following j animals:—Cows 800, heifers 315, oxen 183, calves 41, sheep 3418, lambs 680, pigs 433. The number of tripes prepared was 550. The figures show a decided increase over those of last year in most cases.

Four nominations nave Tieen received for the two vacancies on the Stratford t'ounty Council, caused by the resignation ,of Councillors Were and Walter, namely, Mr. N. B. Fryday, nominated by Messrs M. ft ill and W.' Huzziil'; Mr. •1. A. Stanford, nominated by Messrs T. Anderson and F. Baker; Mr. E. Walter, nominated by Messrs C. Bayly and J. L. Lucena; and Mr. W. H. Were, nominated by Messrs E. Marfell and B. R. Binnie. In almost every case the candidates received more than one nomination.

The satisfactory outcome of the Racing Club's special meeting on Tuesday .was in a great measure due to the able and tactful manner in which Mr. W. iP. Kirkwood brought forward his -proposals. That his confidence in their practicability favorably affected the numbers was evident, hence the unanimity of the acceptance of his scheme. Another factor was the conciliatory and effective speech made hy Mr. J. 13. Richards, who stressed the fact that lie was not opposed to the present committee, hut deemed it essential for the club to be controlled by its members, that being the question which the meeting had to decide. An apology is due to Mr. Richards for the accidental omission of his remarks from the report of the meeting, this heing due to the mislaying of a portion of the transcript of the reporter's notes.

Eight sticks of dark Havelock tobacco for Os; eight slicks of Derby, Os; eight ioz tins Havelock, 7s fid; eight 2oz tins Derby, 7s 6d. These are specimen prices from Stan. Sharp's stock of smokers' requisites. Next Rellringer'n. Stratford. There is no questioning the fact that "The Kash" is the best place in Stratford for men to supply their clothing and mercery wants. Quality and priae tell their own unequalled story in favor of the store.

Your photograph will please them all —some of your friends have 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.