STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 6, 26 May 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTER.

J county administration.

Tha Stratford County Council at its special meeting on Saturday devoted considerable time to the discussion of tie question of supervising the work connected with roads and bridges. There appears to he a very strong feeling in the (mindi of most of the councillors that there should be a practical overseer [in eharge of the men employed on county work. Up to tlie present each riding has had its foreman or foremen (one riding has three foremen) who took their instructions from tihe engineer, and who supervised the surfacemen. The county had the good fortune to seeure the services of one of the best and most reliable engineers in the Dominion, but they could not pay him for the whole of his time, and, as a matter of fact, Mr. Robinson has been extremely generous in giving far more of his time to the county business than would be covered by the remuneration received. Probably any equally conscientious professional man would have done the same, but that fact does not diminish the credit that is due to Mr. Robinson. During the discussion it was evident that the engineering question was n knotty point in makng any new arrangement. There were two courses advocated—the appointment of an overseer as a supervisor of all maintenance work on the roads and ordinary repairs of bridges, the Council to engage v,he services of a consulting engineer when ! necessary; the alternative being to en- J gage a young qualified engineer, whol ~ would devote all his time to the work j of the county, and supervise the detail: of the workß. Dealing with the lattci proposal, it has a plausible appearance theoretically, but it may prove a costlv policy, especially in connection with bridge work. A slight error due to inexperience might land the county in e loss of thousands of pounds. The Stratford county is far too important to be entrusted to any but a tried and experienced engineer siuth as the Council has had. The risk is far too great, and no etlgineer who is worth his salt wou'd be justified in wasting his time over the supervision of the laying of metal, work is rightly within the province of a foreman' or overseer. The arguments against such a policy are many and cogent, while the only thing in its favor ia the chimerical and dangerous point of economj-—a penny wise and ppund foolish economy. It was pointed out that the county is as vet very far from boing fully developed. That in itself should convince councillors of the necessity of having the advice of a sound, expert engineer. On the ques- [ tion of the appointment of an overseer there need be no hesitation, as it may fce assumed that every care would be taVen to obtain the services of a good practical man who would sec that the county obtained good value from the workers on its roads, and he should be well worth his pay. The proposal to supply means of locomotion is certainly in the right direction, for without that no one man could do what is required of him, and it is even doubtful if with that aid he will be able to cope with hre' work satisfactorily. The whole matter ia one that calls for extreme care, and the decision of the Council will be awaited with interest, if not with anxiety.

PERSONAL.

The new vicar of ITolv Trinity, Stratford, was inducted into office on Sunday morning by tho Ven. Archdeacon Evans. GENERAL A reminder ia given that nominations for tie vacant seat on the Borough Council must be lodged with the returning officer before noon to-day." Apparently there are three aspiranta for the office. There are to be seen at Messrs W, M. Bayly and Co.'s warehouse some magnificent samples of Up-to-Date potatoes imported from Canterbury, and, what is more to the purpo.-.e, they are solid and arjod. The giants of the Tongfti'iro National Park were ve.ry el»arly discernible from Stratford yesterday. Xgauruhoe was scndiHg forth huge clouds of steam. The new winter clothing for men ia attractive in many ways. Wise me'i will buy now while the variety is big, and they will find ''The KasV' prieot' made to suit them. For high oualitv and low price Mullen and Marshall easily lead in Stratford. You hardly feel the razor pass over 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 Bellringcr's, Stratford. Your photograph will please them all Rome of your friends have been expecting one for a long time—don't be satisfied with one taken years ft"" CTfld ttica ft frceh portraitare to-taj, in 113 ' ,£ra n., everyday attire. your portrait taken is as pleaMint rs an informal call on good friends. Make, an appointment to-day with Mr McAllister, Stratfori

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

[AN IRISH FOOTBALL MATCH.

J REFEREE ATTACKED. London, April 11. Scenes of rowdyism, culminating u a savage attack on the referee, Mr Gardner, of Barnsley, occurred in a city eup game between Linfield and Distillery at Grosvenor .Bark, Belfast, on Saturday!, says tlie Daily News. After the interval, several of the official's decisions did not meet with the approval of a section of the Linfield supporters. and twice the game had to be stopped owing to the fussilade of etones thrown in the direction of tihe official. Later, a spectator proceeded on tihe field to interview the official, and as matters assumed an ugly aspect a large body of police were requisitioned. At the finish the mob rushed on the ■eld and succeeded in reaching the r<>reree at the entrance gate. Mr Gardner received several blows on the face and head and. but for the courageous conduct , Nicholl, late of Glasgow Celtic, the | iome centre, who single-handed fought the crowd and diverted attention, he would have received serious injury. I With the assistance of the police and officials he succeeded in escaping to the pavilion. The crowd damaged the goal nets and other ground fittings, and on their way from the enclosure tihey smashed tihe windows of the house in which Nicholl resides.