STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 290, 11 May 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTER.

Office and Job Printing Works: York Chambers (upstairs)

Telephone No. 113.

RAILWAY MATTERS. The delay which is taking place in relation to the taking over of the section of line now completed to Whanyaniomona is causing considerable inconvenience to the settlers. Aparently all that is needed to actually put the track in running order is to complete the ballasting, and considering the importance of having' the line opened for passenger and traffic at this time of year, the authorities might well have strained a point so as to have commenced a regular service by the first of the present month. It is to be hoped that the requisite energy may he exhibited in this matter and every effort made to commence running to time table during the month.

In framing the time table it is desirable that there should he a train from Whangamomona to Stratford and vice versa, to connect with the mail trains both morning and evening, and that a train should leave Stratford for Whangamomona as soon as possible after the arrival of t'he mail train from New Plymouth in the morning, the evening train running as at present, shortly after the departure of the mail train from south.

The commencement of the new expedited mail train service is being awaited with considerable interest. The rumors that are current assign various dates for this service to commence—from 18th June to Ist October—but no one seems to have any definite idea of the actual date. Possibly the department might satisfy public curiosity on this point, bo that, people may possess their souls in that patience that is so necessary in railway matters.

Tho hope that there will yet be a connecting link between Stratford and the Opunake line is still strong. This is not surprising considering that Stratford is the ideal point for a junction. It will he interesting to know what the member for the district has to say on this matter in his pre-scssional address to-morrow night.

The recent inclement weather has emphasised the necessary for the covering in of the platform from end to end. The work lias been urged on the Government, and a promise given that it would receive attention. The sooner the better.

PERSONAL. Mr C. Diamond has arranged to take a trip Home in June. He travels by the Makura. Mr J. Rutherford has disposed of his horse-shoeing business to Mr King, of Pahiatna, who takes possession on the first of next month. Mr W. 11. Besley, of the Cash Trailing Company left for Christchureh on Saturday morning. Mr J. McAllister, W.M., Stratford Lodge, with Bro. C. J. Speck, leave by this morning's train for Christchureh, where they will attend the Communica. tion of Grand Lodge.

GENERAL. Dogs that rush out and yelp at horses that axe being ridden or driven along the road are a menace to lite and limb, and sliould not lie allowed on" the chain. Wluit might have been a serious accident occurred, last Thursday to Mr Tl. Rutherford, who was engaged in delivering meat for Mr T. Colson. When opposite Dr Cameron's house a dog ruslied at the horse, causing it to stumble, with tile result that the rider was thrown and sustained injuries that will place him out of action for some days. The Borough. Council meets this evening. The proceedings arc likely to be of considerable interest.

Three first offenders were convicted and discharged for insobriety on Saturday. The system whereby this class of wasters travel about from place ito place, get drunk, dbtain a free lodgjng at the lock-tip, and a,- free breakfast in the morning, needs .some alteration. These vagrants should certainly be made to do a certain amount of work for their free entertainment.

You hardly feel the razor pass ovor your face when Stan. Sharp handles the shaving operation. Added to this delightful sense of comfort is the knowledge that every utensil is sterilised', and everything is absolutely clean. Next Bellringer's, Stratford.

Your photograph will please them all —some of your friends 'have been expecting one foT a long time—-don't be satisfied with one taken years ago. Send them a fresh portrait, 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-d:iv with Mr McAllister, Stratford 1 .

The new winter clothing for nwv. is attractive in many trays. Wim- nii'ii will buy now while the variety Is big, and they will find •"The Kasli" prices made to suit them. For high i|imlil'v and low price Mullen and Marshall esudly lead in Stratford.

EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL,

I MONTHLY MEETINU. ! Tie ordinary monthly : - i Kgmont Couiu. Council wa< held ;it, ih,- ! County office, Opunake, on Friday, when I there were present: (Jrs. W. C. Dudley, ! C. 11. Hirst. 0. H. Earquhar, K. Maxwell, ! K d. Davey, J. Burgess, W. Harvey. P. Willcox. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. C. A'Court Opir) reported as follows on work done during the month:— Oeo riding.—The renewing of several old wooden culverts and the putting in of culverts on the Waline, Oeo, Eltham and Auroa roads has claimed the attention of the hands since last meeting, and as two of these culverts were 24in pipes they were fairly ticklish jobs to handle. Some of the newly metalled sections of the Eltham road have also to he picked over and raked in. They were left until the last moment, as it was hoped the roller would have been round previously. As soon as the top end of the Eltham road is finished off a start will be made with the putting out of hand broken metal on the Auroa and Op-unake-Statford road.

Oeo southern.—Wet weather and the military system necessitating some | of the drivers to attend camp were responsible for delay in the completion of Messrs Faulkner and Barlow's contract, which was only closed up this week. The [ roller has been doing good work out along the main road by working on the repair section scarifying and rolling in niaintenance metal, together with rolling oh the contracts. When finally completed the engine will have rolled over three miles of newly metalled road, and scarified and repaired over 60 chains of repair work.

Rahotu southern.—Repairs have been effected to the lower end of the Eltham road and also to the main north road by Mr. J. Dudley's and along the Arawhata Flat. A start has been made with the opening up of drains along this section of roadway and when completed the thorough draining of the road will be assured. Pipe making has also been going on steadily, but as the old wooden culverts keep falling in most persistently the demand is greater than the supply. .Rahotu northern.—.Tames Hickey has completed his boulder stone contracts, and Tate Bros, commenced their crushed pit metal contracts on April 22nd, since which date the work has been pushed along vigorously. The spreading of this contract, together with the blinding of crushed boulder stone contracts,) has kept the hands busy. While the plant was shifting from Puniho the engine was used to rope a larg? tree out of the Waiwharenui roadway, which did not block the ford but was endangering the Warea factory's dam. COUNTY" CHAMBERS. i The committee appointed to go into tlu' question of providing county chambers reported that a section had been purchased at a cost of £l5O. A deputation from the proposed Opunakc club, consisting of Messrs M. J. Brennan, J. Burton and Blythe, asked if the council would be able to provide accommsdation for the club in the upper ■storey of the building. They offered to pay a rental of £75 per annum for a term of years. It was resolved that the committee who had made the preliminary arrangements bring an. estimate before the next meeting of the council, the cost of the building with the section not to exceed ±'2ooo. GRAVEL ROYALTY.

The I'ublic Trustee, through the Reserves Agent, notified that any arrangements made with the lessees of the West Coast Settlements Reserves for the removal of metal, etc., were illegal and void, and that if the council was at pre sent taking metal from any of the reserves it must desist at once and account to the Public Trustee for such metal taken, at the rate of 3d per cubic yard. The clerk is to reply that the council has an arrangement with the Public Trustee whereby a certain proportion of the royalty ib paid io the Public Trustee.

APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS. The Public Works Department for\ warded the usual notification asking the council to forward at once any applications proposed f o be made for roads and bridges. It was resolved to apply for grants as follows:—Wiremu road (Kini to Mangahuiue) £250, (Arawliata to Kahili) i:«K), (Kahui to Xewall) £2OO, (Ihaia to Kini) £4OO, also the Punelni i bridge and Waiau bridges on the same . road.

HOSPITAL MATTERS. Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Hoard notified that the Egmont county's annual levy to the upkeep of the New Plymouth hospital, based on a valuation (>f'£l,rili.").H3B, would be £OB2, 18s 3d, payable in monthly instalments of £SO ISs 2d. They also forwarded a copy of notice of motion to be moved by the chairman j <if the Board striking the rate of Is in the £IOO on contributing local authorities to make up the estimated deficiency. The account showed estimated expenditure £10.750, and estimated income £4177 lis 2d. leaving a deficiency of £0572 8s I lOd. The levy from contributing bodies would be £I2OO Is ."id, and tha Government subsidy £3300 7s ad. Members expressed the opinion that if a special rate was struck to meet this instead of it being paid out of the general fund it would open ratepayers' eyes to the fact that the council does not have all the rate money to spend on the roads. The Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Hoard notified that the county's contribution towards the new hospital, £"515. was due. payable on March 2Sth, 1014. The council decided to proceed at ~nce with ths raising of £2OOO.

TARRLNC THE ROADS. Mr. .Mannington, clerk and engineer to the Wangaiiui County Council, and score tiu-y lo the ilcstar Company, waited on the council and explained at considerable length the benefit of the application of tar preparations in preserving roads, lie gave a very lengthy explanation of the various preparations, pointing out that if metal cost 5s or more per yard, it would pay from a ratepayers' |io,int of view to treat the roads with tar preparation. Where metal cost less than 5s per yard it probably would not pay. He was not prepared to say that rcstar was better than any other preparation, but it Was certainly as good and was cheaper. His company was prepared to make any preparation according M" any engineer's requirements, lie al-so pointed out the great saving in the cost of handling rcstar. as it was being supplied in iron casks, under which a

fire could lie lit in order to enable the rcstar to run freely. In reply to questions, lie said that it would cost 8s 4d per chain t i treat a road. This would make all the dill'ertni'j between a good load and a bad one.

The eouncil thanked Mr. Mannington for his information. TENDERS

[ The committee appointed to deal with tenders reported that they had accepted two metal contracts on the Eltham road, from J. Munro, at 3s per yard. For the loan work on the Carrington road, for which £790 was available, the tender was considered too high.—The report was adopted.

The question of the Carrington road loan was discussed in committee, and it was resolved that the contract Wamended and that the tender of Tate Bros, be accepted. GENERAL. Billiard room licenses were granted to Momoiui, of Rahotu, and Wi Ktipe Nazer, of L'ungarchu. 'The Treasury notified payment of Government grant of £6O towards the Okahau (Ngariki to Newall) road. Transfer of slaughterhouse license from Phillips Bros, to A. Baker, Uahotu, I was approved. A special resolution was passed in connection with the proposed bridge loan. It was resolved to secure two sets of manganese crusher jaws from England. The engineer was instructed to attend to the Skeet road as soon as possible It was resolved to instruct the engineer to take proceedings against anyone breaking the heavy traffic by-laws. The Parihaka ltoad Bomd asked that the council should endeavor to have all sale day cattle driven along the Gregory road, which the board had recently opened up, instead of through the Eahotu township.—Steps will be taken to carry this into effect, by erecting notice boards at a cost of 30e. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote that he knew of no power which would enable the gravel reserve at Te Kiri to be vested in the council for the '■ purpose of erecting workers' homes. ' The engineer was instructed to take proceedings, irrespective of the ranger, against the owners of any stock found wandering on the roads. Accounts amounting to £IO6O 12s 5d were passed for payment.